April 30, 2025

Giving Back recognizes businesses and organizations that are helping our communities. Here’s a look at who gave back for April.

Sioux Valley Energy

Sixteen organizations in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties will share more than $13,600 in funding from Sioux Valley Energy’s Operation Round Up program for the first quarter. The recipients are National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc. in Brandon; Colton Friends of Baseball; Crooks Community Daycare Center; Dell Rapids Baseball Association; Blue Dragon Academy in Garretson; Educators Rising South Dakota in Harrisburg; Hartford Area Sports & Rec, West Central Education Foundation and West Central Music Association, all of Hartford; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, Center of Hope, Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety, The Foster Network, Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation and Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, all of Sioux Falls; and South Dakota Players Inc. in Tea. An additional $12,200 in grants also was awarded to a similar number of organizations in other towns across the energy co-operative’s service area. Funds come from participating co-op members who round up their electric bill and co-op employees who donate from their paycheck each month. The next deadline to apply for grants is May 20. The co-op also set aside $5,000 for scholarships.

American Bank & Trust

Through the Spirit Card program, American Bank & Trust recently donated almost $58,000 to 20 participating school districts, including Lennox and Tea Area in the Sioux Falls area. With every transaction made using the debit card, which features the name, colors and mascot of the school district, AB&T donates a portion back to the designated district. These funds support a range of initiatives such as classroom supplies, athletic equipment, performing arts center enhancements, library furniture, materials for shop classes, field trips and funding students’ unpaid lunch balances.

Black Hills Federal Credit Union

In the first quarter of the year, the Community Action Team at Black Hills Federal Credit Union supported 11 nonprofit organizations across its footprint through Operation Hope. That included making 108 tie blankets, collecting 2,019 essential goods items and donating $15,500 donated to nonprofits, which included BHFCU matches for employee donations. Organizations in Sioux Falls included The Compass Center, St. Francis House and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Landscape Garden Centers

In celebration of Arbor Day, Landscape Garden Centers delivered tree saplings to local kindergarten students. It also handed out saplings to families visiting LGC and participated in the Urban Arbor Day Festival at Pasley Park.

Levo Credit Union/Air Madness/KELO-TV

Levo Credit Union, Air Madness and KELO-TV again teamed up for Operation Hope and Caring, raising almost $18,900 to help Sioux Falls students who might not have money for school supplies, winter boots, field trips or washing their clothes. Principals at Title I school are able to distribute funds where they are needed most. This year, Levo also collected winter gear to be distributed through the school district. Go to hopeandcaring.org to find details on how to help.

Ty Eschenbaum Foundation

The Ty Eschenbaum Foundation has donated $100,000 to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana. At the check presentation, the foundation revealed another surprise. Wish kid Bella, who attended the announcement with her family, learned that her wish to go to Hawaii will take place on her 10th birthday in May.