The Children’s Gala Raises More Than $1 Million To Support Local Children And Families

An evening of philanthropy in Sioux Falls has raised more than $1 million for local children and their families who receive care at Sanford Children's.

The Sanford Health Foundation reignited The Children’s Gala on Saturday night for the first time in 10 years, bringing together donors and community members to help launch a new era of care for patients.

“The power of philanthropy is alive, and our community is blessed with amazing donors who change children’s lives with their gifts,” said Erin Sanderson, executive director of the Sanford Health Foundation. “Every gift raised for Sanford Children’s through the Sanford Health Foundation supports everything from fairytale spaces to lifesaving equipment. It all makes a difference in the lives of our youngest patients and their families.” 

Gifts from donors are used for financial assistance to help families with meals, mileage, lodging and other costs not covered by insurance, lifesaving equipment like Giraffe OmniBeds, pediatric CT scanners and ultrasound machines as well as playrooms filled with toys, games, books and cozy furniture.

This year, donors are bringing to life projects such as the Billion Pavilion – a park outside of Sanford Children’s that will include accessible play equipment for pediatric patients, several shaded areas, physical therapy steps and planting gardens. Donors also funded Truman’s Closet, a redesigned space at Sanford Children’s featuring special costumes perfectly chosen for each child, offering a magical experience with customized lights, sounds and mirrors.

In 2004, a $16 million challenge gift from philanthropist Denny Sanford played a lead role in helping construct Sanford Children’s, the region’s only free-standing children’s hospital. It also inspired donors across the region to step forward in support of the project.

The Castle of Care, modeled after a fairy-tale castle, opened in 2009 and immediately improved access to care for thousands of children and families across the region. In its first five years, the hospital cared for more than 13,000 children from 35 states across the country. Today, more than 15,000 children count on Sanford Children’s and the Boekelheide NICU every year.

Sanford Children’s is home to more than 135 experts in 35 pediatric specialties, along with Child Life Specialists, a school tutor, spiritual care provider and many others, all dedicated to caring for kids of all ages and stages of life.

The Sanford Health Foundation inspires philanthropy to power Sanford Health’s work of health, healing, and comfort. 100% of every dollar raised helps deliver compassionate patient-centered care and drive medical research and collaboration to accelerate bold solutions for a brighter tomorrow. Learn more and join us at sanfordhealthfoundation.org