Sept. 30, 2021

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

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota Caring for the Kids campaign

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota raised more than $390,000 with support from businesses and individuals during its annual Caring for the Kids campaign. In addition to major sponsorships, the campaign included a car raffle, golf classic and a KELO-TV special in August. The special provided information on how CHS helps South Dakota’s children. During the show, Dr. Luke Minion represented his company, Pipestone, and announced its challenge gift, matching all donations up to $50,000. Another challenge gift from Gordon, Randy, Seth and Tyler for Spronk Brothers III also matched donations up to $50,000. Both challenges were met. The winner of the 2021 Subaru Forester Limited, donated by Schulte Subaru, was James Berven from Watertown.

Results-Townsquare Media Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon

The annual Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon is taking place today and Friday to raise funds through the Sanford Foundation to help the Sanford Children’s Hospital care for hundreds of pediatric cancer patients in Sioux Falls. The Results-Townsquare Media Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon presented by Jerry’s Auto Sales in Lennox includes programming from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The radio stations participating are KKRC 97.3, Kickin’ Country 99.1 and 100.5, KXRB 100.1, ESPN 102.3, B 102.7 and Hot 104.7. Donations made during the radiothon will support the purchase of specialized equipment, advance pediatric cancer research and assist families with expenses not covered by insurance such as meals, mileage and lodging. Funds raised also support special programs and services such as Child Life, Back to School, summer camps and social work.

Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy employees and family members put their good energy into action earlier this month and volunteered in Sioux Falls to feed hungry families in the area. It was part of a larger effort of more than 1,000 Xcel Energy employees, retirees, family, friends and customers who fanned out over four states to volunteer their time and give back during Xcel Energy’s 11th annual Day of Service. In Sioux Falls, about 20 volunteers worked with Feeding South Dakota and packed boxes of food for hungry families.

Buffalo Ridge Brewing

Buffalo Ridge Brewing has partnered with breweries nationwide to brew Rising Hope IPA, which will be released today at the Hartford brewery. All proceeds will go to Brewing Funds the Cure, which supports the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. In addition, Monk’s House of Ale in Sioux Falls, The Office Bar & Grill in Montrose, Independent Ale House in Rapid City and Drifters Bar & Grille in Fort Pierre have agreed to carry the beer on tap and will donate $1 from each pint sold. This is the third year for the brewing effort. In the first two years of the release of Rising Hope, craft brewers raised more than $325,000 for pediatric cancer research.

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee gave away 250 meals to customers Sept. 20 in Sioux Falls as part of National Family Meals Month. The grocery store chain set up a contactless drive-thru distribution line at the store on North Kiwanis Avenue. Customers got to choose one of three family-size Hy-Vee Mealtime to Go take-and-bake entrees: lasagna, beef enchiladas or Asian vegetable lo mein. Hy-Vee also celebrated the month by providing a free kids meal with each purchase of an adult entree every day in its food service departments, Market Grille locations and in-store Wahlburgers restaurants.

Hy-Vee Inc. donated $7,500 to Establishing Sustainable Connections as part of a $1 million and 1 million volunteer-hour commitment to organizations that support racial unity and equality. Establishing Sustainable Connections works to empower underrepresented communities in the Sioux Falls area.

Cal’s Angels’ War on Wheels Ride

Cyclists are riding their bikes from Mount Rushmore to Illinois to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research and the Cal’s Angels wish program during the War on Wheels Ride. The group started its journey Wednesday and is expected to arrive Oct. 11 at Pollyanna Brewing Co. in St. Charles, Illinois. Overnight stops in South Dakota include Interior, Murdo, Platte and Yankton. The WOW riders have a rest day Sunday in Platte. Cal’s Angels is a St. Charles-based nonprofit with a mission to raise awareness, grant wishes and fund research for pediatric cancer research. It’s also working to introduce Cal’s Law, which aims to make diagnostic testing for pediatric cancer patients more accessible. The bill recently was signed into law in Illinois, and the organization will work to introduce it in states across the country.

South Dakota Arts and Humanities Councils

In an effort to support nonprofit organizations invested in arts and humanities, the South Dakota Arts and Humanities Councils are awarding grants through the American Rescue Plan. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 8. These funds are intended to help support jobs in the sectors, keep the doors open to nonprofit organizations statewide and assist the field in its response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan grant funding ranges from $4,500 to $20,000 through the South Dakota Arts Council. These funds were made available by the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities through the  American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and through a contribution from the South Dakota Legislature. Visit artsouthdakota.org/grants for information.