SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — 23 people died of overdoses in Sioux Falls last year, according to the Sioux Falls Police Department.
That number is up from 16 deaths in 2023.
However, the total number of overdoses reported to police last year was down from 2023.
Levitt plans expansion to its outdoor area
The department credits that decrease to Narcan being more available.
Distributing the opioid overdose reversal medication for free is one of the programs of Emily’s Hope.
Former KELO-TV anchor Angela Kennecke started the organization after her daughter died of fentanyl poisoning.
An event happening this weekend will help support the nonprofit.
Joshua Spies is putting the finishing touches on an oil painting for the Emily’s Hope Art Show and Auction.
His, which will be on the live auction, piece features sunflowers and American goldfinches.
“Hopefully it does well for the event that’s coming up on Saturday,” Spies said.
On Thursday, Emily’s Hope staff worked on setting up the event space at the Canopy by Hilton.
While event tickets are sold out, you can still contribute from home by taking part in the silent auction online.
“Of course we have paintings, we have a work of needlepoint, we have a sculpture. We have all kinds of packages whether it’s spa packages or trips,” Kennecke said.
You have until 8:15 PM Saturday to place your bids in the silent auction.
The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Emily’s Hope.
“It really makes it possible for us to carry out our mission for the entire year of 2025, and we are growing. We have new initiatives all the time, so this is extremely important,” Kennecke said.
And people like Spies are helping the mission.
“The talent that I have, I think it’s really important to try to give back to different things. And this one is really important. When I was younger, these sorts of things didn’t really exist, the fentanyl and these really scary things, and I have two teenage sons now. You think about that and what they’re going to have to deal with,” Spies said.
