SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A fundraising effort to benefit students in the Sioux Falls School District most affected by poverty is about to reach new heights.
In one week, Air Madness will open its doors to families who want to have fun while supporting a cause.
“Levo started Operation Hope & Caring with the Sioux Falls Storm in 2017 to really help level the playing field for the kids in our Title 1 schools,” Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Jen McKeown said.
Jen McKeown is with Levo Credit Union and says 12 schools in Sioux Falls are currently eligible to receive funds.
“A lot of times those are kids who qualify for free and reduced lunches. The schools don’t necessarily have PTOs or PTAs to help with some of the things that many of us take for granted,” McKeown said.
Operation Hope & Caring has provided more than $109,000 in assistance to schools and students since 2017.
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“Things like snacks and laundry detergent for the washers that they purchased a while back to do laundry for the kids who don’t have facilities at home,” McKeown said.
“One of the things we use them for is basic needs for our kids, coats, hats, mittens,” Laura B. Anderson Elementary Principal Wade Helleson said.
Wade Helleson is the principal at Laura B. Anderson Elementary, where they also established a care closet with everything from breakfast items to hygiene products.
“Discreetly they can come into this space and seek out some of those things that they might need,” Helleson said.
The space is dedicated to education assistant Cindy Nieber who passed away suddenly last spring.
“One of those people that just had joy for serving and she just put her heart and soul into being there for kids,” Helleson said.
Highlighting the importance of a day of jumping to help families in need.
“What better way to do that than to come and have fun, an entire day of fun, and then know that you’re doing it for a very, very worthy cause,” McKeown said.
KELOLAND Media Group is a sponsor of the event, which runs from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. next Tuesday at Air Madness. The cost is $25 for an entire day of jumping and includes an arcade gift card. 100% of the net proceeds will benefit Operation Hope & Caring.
