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(HOWARD, SD) –Howard High School students, teachers and the Howard community once again joined with the Horizon Health Foundation to raise awareness and funds through the fourth annual Tigers Step Up 2 Cancer campaign.
Through this year’s campaign, the students raised just over $6,900, which includes a $1,250 matching gift from Rusty’s Food Store. This year’s efforts bring the total raised since the inception of the program to $28,395; all of which will benefit Miner County residents, who are Horizon Health Care patients, undergoing cancer treatment and to help with related expenses.
“I am proud of our local high school students for their efforts to help their fellow community members,” said Misty Rudebusch, PA-C, MPAS, medical director and provider at Howard Community Health Center. “I have witnessed the financial burden that battling cancer or getting the necessary screenings can bring to our patients and their families, but because of Tigers Step Up 2 Cancer they’ve had some of that burden lifted.” Howard High School student leaders led the coordination of all campaign activities, including sponsorship solicitation, t-shirt sales, and other fundraising efforts. The Howard High School National Honor Society and Howard High School volleyball team also held additional fundraising events through Hat Day and Dig Pink night to support the program.
“The TSU2C campaign hits home for many of our NHS members,” said Lisa Wiese, National Honor Society advisor. “You would be hard-pressed to find a member where cancer has not touched his/her life. Being able to contribute to TSU2C, which helps local families and community members, personalizes the need for service and volunteering. We should always be looking at how to give back to our community because you never know when you will be on the receiving end.”
Other highlights of this year’s program included a social media video series of the student athletes playing in honor or in memory of a loved one who has fought cancer and a personal message from NFL quarterback Drew Brees supporting Tigers Step Up 2 Cancer. T-shirt sales were moved online this year through FoxPromo of Madison.
“We are so honored to have had the opportunity to produce shirts for such a rewarding event for both the students and the community,” said Taylor Kiehl, FoxPromo. “Coming from a small town, I know the importance of a strong community and I feel that this allows the students and the community to come together as one for a bigger cause.”
The Howard students would like to recognize and thank the following sponsors for their generous support: American Bank and Trust, Corner Pantry, Howard Physical Therapy, Rivers Edge Bank, Schwader Farms, Whispering Winds, FoxPromo, an anonymous donor, and Rusty’s Food Store (matching gift).
“I am extremely happy with how this year’s event went,” said Abby Connor, HHS senior and Student Council President. “I am so proud of everyone involved and happy that we are able to help so many in our community.”
The Horizon Health Foundation was established in 2016 to ensure rural health care access to those in need and provide funding for Horizon Health Care. Horizon Health Foundation, a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation, seeks through responsible activities to encourage and derive sustaining gift support from current and former patients and interested friends, including corporate entities. The Horizon Health Foundation, operating in coordination with Horizon Health Care, is the duly designated fundraising arm for Horizon Health Care. In the broadest sense, the purpose of the Foundation is to create an awareness of the financial needs of Horizon Health Care, which are not provided by patient charges and to systematically implement plans by which dollar needs can be met.
About Horizon Health Care
For over 40 years, Horizon Health Care has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and behavioral health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and mental health care needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through 110,000 patient visits annually in 32 community health centers in: Aberdeen, Alcester, Bison, Bryant, De Smet, Eagle Butte, Elk Point, Faith, Fort Thompson, Howard, Huron, Isabel, La Plant, Lake Preston, Martin, McIntosh, Mission, Plankinton, Wessington Springs, White River, Woonsocket, and Yankton. For more information please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org.