Dec. 30, 2021

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

AllStar Technology

AllStar Technology provided a new custom database program to the Union Gospel Mission at no cost after the organization’s old database program stopped working unexpectedly. “The system allows us to track our clients, provides a point-of-sale system for our thrift store and a business management system as well,” said Eric “Pineapple” Weber, the mission’s CEO. “Since its installation, the company has provided fine-tuning and has expanded the program’s functionality. It’s been a blessing!” Weber said he was surprised when he opened the billing invoice for the system. “Instead of asking for the quoted $5,000, David Vrooman, the company’s CEO, donated the entire system as a Christmas gift.”

AllStar Technology CEO David Vrooman and Union Gospel Mission’s Men’s Center director Justin Heckel

Fourteen Foods

Fourteen Foods partners with LifeScape every year and puts up Angel Trees in four of its DQ locations in Sioux Falls, and in Brookings and Yankton. The donated gifts were collected and given to LifeScape, which delivered them to the homes and dorm rooms of the children and adults served by the organization.

Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce

The Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce raised $3,800 at its annual meeting for the Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Department. Major contributors include Great Shots, Dueling Duo and the Harrisburg Optimist Club.

Hy-Vee

The Pinky Swear Register Roundup at Hy-Vee’s more than 285 stores raised more than $219,000 for the Pinky Swear Foundation, a national charitable organization that supports children with cancer and their families. From Nov. 29 through Dec. 12, Hy-vee gave customers the opportunity to roundup their purchase to the nearest dollar or donate another amount.  The money raised will provide assistance for basic needs and experiences that create emotional support to impacted families.

Security National Bank of South Dakota

Security National Bank of South Dakota branches in Sioux Falls served as donation sites for The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project. The bank’s customers and business partners joined in the effort. Several employees put on their ugly Christmas sweaters to deliver the unwrapped toys to the organization for its annual Toy Shop. Families in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties are able to pick out toys for their children through age 12 and wrap them.

Xcel Energy

Throughout the year, Xcel Energy and its employees donated time and money to nonprofits in South Dakota and the other seven states the company serves. Employees volunteered more than 23,000 hours through Xcel’s Dollars for Doing and volunteer paid time off programs. During the annual Day of Service, 3,500 volunteers worked on projects for 100 nonprofits. The company’s annual United Way campaign raised $2.5 million, which was matched by the Xcel Energy Foundation. During the pandemic, the company has increased its corporate giving and foundation grants to local nonprofits and worked with the most impacted customers to provide assistance. Through regulatory proceedings, the company found pathways to mitigate tens of millions of costs for customers to help through challenges of the pandemic. Xcel also awarded $3.7 million to nearly 400 grant partners that promote arts and culture, economic stability, education and environmental stewardship.

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].