Giving Back for June

June 28, 2019

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

Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual is hosting a 0.5K #CureCancerDonutDash on Saturday to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Participants will crawl, walk, jog, run or sprint the 546-yard course and receive a doughnut from Flyboy Donuts and two beers from Fernson Brewing Co. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. at Cherry Rock Park. Registration has closed, but cheerleaders and donations are still welcome.

Great Outdoor Store

The Great Outdoor Store’s relationship with the brand Patagonia led to the Friends of the Big River receiving a $15,000 award from the Patagonia Wholesale Impact Grant program. In addition, the Great Outdoor Store raised $2,400 for the organization with its annual Gear & Beer event.

Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire

Members of the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire participated in the annual Repair Affair Day. They completed eight home projects to help those with disabilities, including the installation of grab bars, wheelchair ramps, railings on porch stairs and door levers instead of doorknobs.  Great Western Bank was the main event sponsor. Other sponsors were Radco Truck Accessory Center; Builders FIrstSource; 604 Cos. Inc.; Budget Blinds of Siouxland; Driscoll Construction Inc.; Frisbee Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical; Hartman Specialty Contracting/Radon Mitigation Systems; and A-Plus Construction. Funding was provided by the Sioux Empire Home Builders Care Foundation and a block grant from the Housing Division of the city of Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation

The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation recently awarded 22 grants totaling more than $57,000 to faculty members. The grants will help fund a variety of creative educational projects at elementary, middle and high schools in the Sioux Falls School District. Hy-Vee donated balloon and candy bouquets that were part of the “Prize Patrol” announcements at the schools. Corporate donors for the Education Foundation’s annual grant program include:

  • Principal’s Circle ($10,000 or more): The Independent Insurance Agents of Sioux Falls and the Mary Chilton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
  • Valedictorian ($5,000 to $9,999): The First National Bank in Sioux Falls; First Premier Bank/Bankcard; Scheels; and SDN Communications.
  • Merit Scholar ($1,000 to $4,999): Architecture Incorporated; Avera Health; CorTrust Bank; Dakota Sports; Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith; Egger Steel Co.; EideBailly LLP; First Bank & Trust; Howalt + McDowell Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC company; Hy-Vee; KELO-TV, School Bus Inc.; and Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith.
  • Honor Roll ($500 to $999): The Barrel House and Kouri Insurance.
  • Student of the Week ($100 to $499): Costco and Koch Hazard Architects.

Black Hills Federal Credit Union

Black Hills Federal Credit Union donated $1,800 to Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota to assist with the purchase of much-needed classroom equipment for the organization’s Center for New Americans in Sioux Falls. The center serves as a vital resource for refugees and immigrants in the community, providing counseling, interpreter services, educational programs, career navigation/placement and more. The credit union’s donation will provide funding for seven electronic document readers that will be used for English language training, citizenship classes and more.

Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends for Kids

Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends for Kids gave $25,000 to Folds of Honor. The donation marks the beginning of a partnership between the two organizations. Folds of Honor will become a supporter and beneficiary of Legends for Kids. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. The nonprofit organization, which is based in Oklahoma, has chapters in 15 states and will add one in Sioux Falls.

Hy-Vee

Kids being treated at Sanford Children’s Hospital will receive unlimited flavored ice pops as part of a Hy-Vee partnership in the Take a Pop, Share a Smile program. The Jel Sert Co. and the American Childhood Cancer Organization launched the program in 2010. Jel Sert donates freezers and ice pops. Hy-Vee’s partnership will expand the program to 10 hospitals in the Midwest.

Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has given the St. Francis House a $7,500 grant to support its Homelessness to Hope Campaign. In addition, the staff from Helmsley’s Sioux Falls office volunteered at the main shelter. The St. Francis House launched its Homelessness to Hope Campaign in May 2018 and recently broke ground on its new, two-story facility that will have 60 double-occupancy rooms. Once complete, the new facility will better serve guests, not only with space and amenities, but with expanded programming and dedicated room for case workers and consultations.

Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation has presented Breathe Bravely with its Community Spirit Award, celebrating the nonprofit’s work to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis and recognizing its innovative efforts to positively impact those living with the disease. Breathe Bravely’s founder, Ashley Ballou-Bonnema, accepted the award, which includes a $5,000 grant to help the organization advance its mission. Its flagship initiative is sINgSPIRE, a 10-week program designed to combat cystic fibrosis by promoting self-awareness and respiratory strength through the practice of good posture and deep breathing and through the act of singing. Most recently, Breathe Bravely introduced the CF Virtual Choir, a first-of-its-kind endeavor comprised of 14 CF patients from 11 states and two countries, ranging in age from 13 to 39.

Mary Chilton DAR Foundation

The Mary Chilton DAR Foundation awarded more than $49,000 in grants for historic and educational purposes in South Dakota during May and June. Recipients of major grants included the Sioux Falls History Club, Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation and Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village Preservation Society. Sept. 5 will be the next deadline for grant applications to be considered. Forms and filing information are available at DAR-MaryChiltonFoundation.org.

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].

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Giving Back for June

Giving Back recognizes businesses and organizations that are helping our communities.

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