Dec. 31, 2018

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

Fareway & Variety

Fareway Stores Inc., in partnership with Variety – the Children’s Charity, donated 11 bikes through Freedom Elementary to area children in need. The bike giveaway was part of a round-up at the register campaign that occurred at Fareway in Harrisburg.

School Bus Inc., Fazoli’s, Eileen’s Colossal Cookies & Spader Business Management

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, guests of the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, St. Francis House and The Banquet were able to enjoy their own performance of Christmas at the Cathedral. Guests were transported by School Bus Inc., enjoyed a catered meal from Fazoli’s and treats from Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, and received a gift card from Spader Business Management.

First National Pawn

First National Pawn gave a Sioux Falls family a $250 shopping experience for Christmas. The Salvation Army helped the business identify a deserving family. Kimberly Bear Heels and her 8-year-old son, Angelo, picked out a new Xbox One, games and a gaming headset.

Northwestern Mutual

The Northwestern Mutual team in Sioux Falls continued its tradition of adopting a local family through the St. Francis House for the holidays. They provided the family with more than $1,600 worth of gifts.

Mary Chilton DAR Foundation

The Mary Chilton DAR Foundation provided a record $128,178 in grants in 2018 to South Dakota organizations. The funding provided 14 major grants and 15 smaller ones of $1,000 or less. The organization typically awards grants three times a year, with special attention to the educating the community on the preservation of American history. The next deadline to file proposals is Jan. 5. Find information at DAR-MaryChiltonFoundation.org.

Walmart/Walmart Foundation

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated more than $3.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to nonprofit organizations in South Dakota during fiscal 2018. Walmart’s donations support South Dakota programs focused on hunger relief, healthy eating, workforce development and disaster preparedness. As part of the efforts, Walmart donated more than 1.8 million pounds of food to local food banks and hunger-relief organizations. Through the company’s Volunteerism Always Pays program, associates are compensated for volunteering with nonprofit organizations. In South Dakota, Walmart staff performed more than 2,700 hours of service.

Sioux Falls Marathon

This year’s Sioux Falls Marathon, organized by the Sioux Falls Sports Authority, raised more than $22,000 for the Sanford Children’s Hospital/Children’s Miracle Network. Almost 3,000 runners participated in September’s marathon, which also included a half-marathon, 10k and Miracle 5k.

Samaritan’s Feet Barefoot Classic/Sanford Health

The fourth annual Samaritan’s Feet Barefoot Classic on Jan. 5 will raise funds for the nonprofit organization that shares a message of hope with children in need in the United States and around the world by washing their feet and giving them a new pair of shoes. The tournament, presented by Sanford Health at the Sanford Pentagon will feature 10 boys basketball games with teams from South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Coaches are given the option of going barefoot to help raise awareness of the effort. Sanford Health has partnered with Samaritan’s Feet since 2015, donating more than $1 million to help support shoe distribution events across the Midwest and around the world.

Kicks for a Cause

Kicks for a Cause is seeking nonprofit organizations to participate in its annual summer kickball tournament. The organizations can use their participation in the tournament as a platform to raise money for themselves. Nonprofits can sign up through Jan. 31. Up to 16 teams will be accepted.