Giving Back recognizes businesses and organizations that are helping our community. Here’s a look at who gave back in December.

American Family Insurance

Terra Koupal of American Family Insurance presented the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation Award for $1,500 to Ashley Ballou-Bonnema of Breathe Bravely. Ballou-Bonnema created the nonprofit organization to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and develop programs that support people with the disease through the art of singing. She shares her journey of living with the disease through song and word.

Mary Chilton DAR Foundation

The Mary Chilton DAR Foundation is taking applications through Jan. 5 for grants. Last year, the group awarded more than $80,000 in 14 grants to nonprofit organizations in South Dakota. Projects in the categories of education, patriotism and historic preservation are eligible. For application forms, go to DAR-MaryChiltonFoundation.org. Future grant deadlines are May 5 and Sept. 5.

Sioux Falls Ford and The Community Outreach

The Rides to Success program operated by Sioux Falls Ford and The Community Outreach has given away its second vehicle. The recipient of the donated vehicle is a participant of Genesis Mentoring, a Community Outreach program that supports families and individuals as they work to achieve greater self-sufficiency.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Sioux Falls Taco Johns Restaurants and Wheel City Auto

Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Sioux Falls Taco Johns Restaurants and Wheel City Auto gave away 500 frozen turkeys with all the trimmings and a gallon of milk so families could prepare a traditional Christmas meal. Sioux Falls firefighters and police officers helped distribute the food at two pickup locations.

Hy-Vee Inc., Avera and Dean Foods

Hy-Vee Inc., Avera and Dean Foods are giving The Banquet a one-year supply of milk. The feeding ministry serves 150 gallons of milk each week to guests.

Novak Sanitary Service

Novak Sanitary Service received donations from employees and vendors to purchase and assemble 50 children’s bicycles. The gifts were distributed through Children’s Home Society, Glory House and Southeast Behavioral HealthCare.

Sanford Health’s Samaritan’s Feet Barefoot Classic

The third annual Samaritan’s Feet Barefoot Classic presented by Sanford Health will be Jan. 6 at the Sanford Pentagon. The event allows coaches the option to go barefoot during the games to raise awareness of Samaritan’s Feet, a nonprofit organization that shares a message of hope with children in need in the U.S. and around the world by washing their feet and giving them a new pair of shoes. Sanford Health has matched a $300,000 grant over three years from the Corporation for National and Community Service to Samaritan’s Feet.

Northwestern Mutual

The staff at Northwestern Mutual adopted a family through the St. Francis House and provided more than $1,100 in Christmas gifts.

Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The Northwestern Mutual Foundation is accepting applications until Jan. 30 for two scholarship programs for childhood cancer survivors and siblings of those affected by childhood cancer. The program will provide 25 scholarships for survivors and 10 for siblings. Applicants should be high school seniors, graduates or enrolled in a postsecondary school . Each scholarship will be worth $5,000. Apply at scholarsapply.org/nmsurvivors.

Has your organization given back to the community? Or do you know an individual who proves one person can make a difference? Email us at [email protected].