Group raised funds for local preschools
The Dakota State women’s basketball team partnered with Interlakes Area United Way (IAUW) in a fundraising event to raise funds for local preschools. The team hosted a Bingo game at two Dakota State volleyball games and was able to raise over $900 for preschools in the area to use towards supplies for their classrooms.
“The community does so much for our team, so we wanted to find a way to give that support back,” said Dakota State Women’s basketball player and IAUW intern Jessi Giles. “IAUW came up with the idea to help local preschools and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for the basketball team to help out.”
IAUW is a non-profit organization that coordinates financial and volunteer resources for other non-profit agencies in Miner, Lake and Moody Counties. As an intern, Giles was able to connect IAUW with the basketball program to set up and coordinate the fundraiser.
The fundraising event was held on October 7th and 8th at the Dakota State University Fieldhouse during the university’s home volleyball games. Those in attendance at the game were able to purchase Bingo cards from the basketball team and play along throughout the match. There were two winners each night who took home $25 gift cards that were donated by Casey’s in Madison, SD.
The funds raised were also matched by FirstLine Funding Group (FFG) in Madison, SD. FFG matched the funds raised by the Trojan basketball team which brought the amount to over $900.
The money raised will be split evenly between the preschools in Madison, SD for them to purchase supplies as needed.
“This donation will go towards funding classroom supplies for our math and literacy centers,” said Beth Himley, teacher for the Trinity Lutheran Preschool. “It means so much that IAUW and the women’s basketball team thought of the preschools to donate to.”
Featured image: Members of the Dakota State women’s basketball team are pictured with Trinity Lutheran Preschool teacher Beth Himley. Trinity Lutheran Preschool was one of six preschools that received a donation. From left to right: Ashlyn Macdonald, Beth Himley, Jessi Giles, Lexi Robson, and McKenzie Hermanson.