Feb. 28, 2023

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

Black Hills Federal Credit Union

Black Hills Federal Credit Union is collecting new and gently used children’s books in March at its four Sioux Falls locations in partnership with the Promising Futures Fund. The credit union asks the community for support in collecting books for children age 5 to 10. All books collected will be distributed to 22 elementary schools by the Promising Futures Fund to be used in after-school programs.

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee will provide 2,000 free omega-3 index screenings at select Hy-Vee stores throughout its eight-state region as part of National Nutrition Month during March. The screening can help identify heart-risk factors. The Hy-Vee on Minnesota Avenue is participating. It also was among the stores that provided 1,000 free cholesterol screenings in February.

Mary Chilton Daughters of the American Revolution Foundation

The Mary Chilton Daughters of the American Revolution Foundation has awarded five grants worth almost $65,000 to charitable organizations in Sioux Falls, Pierre and De Smet. The grants were awarded to the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation in Pierre, $15,000 to help pay for design, printing and marketing of 2,000 copies of the fourth edition of the Laura Ingalls Wilder “Pioneer Girl” series; the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society in De Smet, $14,800 to fund exhibit cases and cubes for original artwork from Garth Williams that illustrated the Little House on the Prairie books; the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum and East Sioux Falls Historic Site in Sioux Falls, $15,000 to help pay for materials and installation of interpretive signs about the locations mining and railroad past; the American Legion Auxiliary South Dakota Unit 15 in Sioux Falls, $5,000 to send 55 girls to Girls State at the University of South Dakota; and McCrossan Boys Ranch in Sioux Falls, $15,000  to repair and restore four wagons and buggies in its collection.

Parks Marina

At this year’s 43nd annual Winter Games at Lake Okoboji, Parks Marina beat many of its charitable records with the Battle of the Bartenders event raising $25,500 in one hour alone, beating last year’s total of over $18,000. Parks Marina, which has locations in Sioux Falls and East Lake Okoboji, presented three checks to charities and causes selected by the winning teams: Drakes at the Lakes in first place, Puff’s in second and Outback Lounge in third. The proceeds were split 50-30-20 to the Foundation for Exceptional Warriors, Adley’s Army and the Harmelink family. Other Winter Games fundraising activities at Parks Marina, the Gardens and Okoboji Boat Works raised thousands of dollars. Combined participation in Parks Marina’s Human Dogsled Races, men’s and women’s Keg Toss, the Best in Snow Dog Show and the Smooshing Races raised nearly $3,000 for various charities and organizations. Proceeds from these events were matched by Exit Realty and Doll Distributing.

Sammons Financial

Support from Sammons Financial made it possible for the Great Plains Zoo to put a new wrap on the  ZooMobile. The new vehicle wrap features a wide variety of animals, including Oscar the parrot, Oliver the red panda, and Archimedes the great horned owl. It was designed by Patty Solis of Sioux Falls.