Giving Back for August
Aug. 31, 2018
Giving Back recognizes businesses and organizations that are helping our communities.
Hot Harley Nights
With proceeds in from the 23rd annual Hot Harley Nights, the event has surpassed the $3 million mark in funds raised for Make-A-Wish South Dakota since it began in 1996. The funds stay in South Dakota to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The three-day event in July included motorcycle rides, a parade, live music and entertainment for families. Next year’s fundraiser will be July 11-13 at J&L Harley-Davidson and the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds.
Strawbale Winery
Strawbale Winery’s Folk Off & Rib Challenge raised $13,800 to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire and South Dakota Friends of Traditional Music. Each organization received $6,900. Next year’s event will be July 27 at the winery north of Sioux Falls.
Kraft Heinz and National Hockey League Players’ Association
Brandon Valley Ice Rink was recognized as the second-place runner-up in the Kraft Hockeyville search for America’s most passionate hockey community. Kraft Heinz donated $30,000 to the Brandon Valley Hockey Association for rink upgrades. As a surprise to the community, the National Hockey League Players’ Association and Kraft Heinz also donated $10,000 worth of new youth hockey equipment to the organization.
Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Black Hills Federal Credit Union donated 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to students and teachers at Lowell Elementary School in central Sioux Falls. Through a partnership with Co-op Financial Services, the credit union was able to donate everything from pens, pencils and notebooks to crayons and glue sticks. Teachers distributed those supplies to students.
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy has awarded a $10,000 grant to Ground Works Midwest. The grant will make it possible for the organization to develop teaching garden manuals for the 17 theme gardens that the organization has created for elementary and middle schools in the Sioux Falls area. Included in these manuals will be maps for planting, maintenance plans and plant care, pictures of plants for identification purposes, lesson plans for the classroom and an educational bibliography.
Make-A-Wish South Dakota
Make-A-Wish South Dakota granted 80 life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses for its fiscal year that ended Aug. 31. That’s the highest number of wishes granted in South Dakota. The chapter also provided four wish assists to kids from other states whose wish was to travel to South Dakota.
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].
