Operation Hope & Caring Helps Kids

Families in the Sioux Falls area came together to help school kids in need…just by having fun.

47% of Sioux Falls students need help affording things many of us take for granted, like school lunches. This means they might not have money for school supplies, winter boots, field trips, or washing their clothes.

But Levo Credit Union, Air Madness, and KELO-TV teamed up for Operation Hope and Caring on Tuesday, February 18 at Air Madness. 451 attendees raised $10,191 after expenses!

100% of net proceeds go to Sioux Falls schools most affected by poverty to use where it’s needed most.

“That generous donation went to fund brand new coats, gloves, snow pants, and boots for kids. Your donations really do benefit our kids. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” – Stacy Stefani, Principal at Cleveland Elementary School

Christina, an elementary student, received a coat on a day she didn’t have one. She wrote a thank-you note to Operation Hope and Caring: “I am grateful and happy that your sponsorship and our community supports Operation Hope and Caring. I hope you continue this amazing program to help poor children in South Dakota.”

A second fundraiser occurs in Levo branches where 100% of any purchase of Perky Coffee or Levo coffee mugs goes to Operation Hope and Caring. Levo branches are also collecting snow boots and snow pants to help stock up the winter gear closets that offer kids like Christina something warm on a cold day. Or, you can simply donate to the cause by going to HopeAndCaring.org.

Since 2017, Operation Hope and Caring has provided over $109,000 in assistance to the Sioux Falls Schools. These funds have been used to pay for things like winter gear, playground equipment, field trip lunches and washers to wash kids’ clothes.

“This fundraiser is a tradition because we believe in giving back to our community,” says Jen McKeown, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Levo. “And what better way to give back than to provide basics for kids in need? We don’t think any student should have to go without things like winter boots, school supplies, or washing their clothes.”

Go to hopeandcaring.org to find details and how to help.