The First National Bank in Sioux Falls

As part of a years-long holiday tradition, employees at The First National Bank in Sioux Falls made 85 tie blankets to donate to Project Warm-Up, a program that began in 2006 to provide blankets to those in need.

Hart 2 Hart

Hart 2 Hart, the franchisees for McDonald’s in the Sioux Falls area, stepped up in a big way to help a child and family in need. Zander Ulvestad is a 5-year-old battling Wilms tumor, a rare form of cancer that predominantly affects children. Now in stage 4 of his fight, he’s undergoing an intensive 50-week chemotherapy regimen at Sanford’s Children’s Castle. McDonald’s came forward with a big care package for the family, including $500 in Hy-Vee gift cards, a pass to be guests at McDonald’s for the next few months, tons of McDonald’s swag, entertainment and lunch delivered for Zander, and community outreach on the family’s behalf. To learn more and make a contribution, click here.

Northwestern Mutual/SDSU football players/Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill

Northwestern Mutual and FCS Nation are teaming up to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation with the #LemonTopChallenge. SDSU captains are in the lead heading into the final days of the fundraising, and then a final face-off challenge will be held among the players in Frisco, Texas, the day before the FCS championship football game Jan. 7 between SDSU and the University of Montana. To aid in the fundraising effort for the SDSU players – Mark Gronowski, Brian Williams and Quinton Hicks — Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill in Brookings hosted an event Dec. 17 that raised about $1,000. The restaurant donated 5 percent of the day’s sales and has been giving $2 from every order of Italian Nachos to the effort. Northwestern Mutual donates $10 to the designated player’s fundraising page for anyone who takes the challenge. Follow the standings and make a donation by clicking here.

Ty Eschenbaum Foundation

The Ty Eschenbaum Foundation held its second annual Earn the Gift Gala on Dec. 2 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. A summation of sponsors, bids on silent and live auction items, and donations from attendees raised a net amount of more than $238,000. The gala is an annual night of service and celebration in support of the foundation’s three heartfelt causes: Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana, youth cancer survivor scholarships and funding of missionary work.