Family connection inspires generosity during season of giving

This paid piece is sponsored by LifeScape.

“LifeScape puts people’s needs first,” says Vicki Carsrud.

The health information management physician liaison at Sanford Health has a personal connection to the nonprofit organization. Her son has been attending the LifeScape Specialty School since he was 4 years old.

“LifeScape takes care of people and their basic needs, which is what inspires many of us here at Sanford to give back,” Carsrud explained.

Every year, 75 people, including Sanford Business Center employees, families and friends, churches and even child care centers come together to be part of the LifeScape Children Wishlist project.

“It’s not just adults, but kids want to be part of it too! So they color holiday pictures for recipients, and we place them with the gift as a personal touch,” Carsrud said.

“When you learn the basic needs of the people supported by LifeScape, it’s easy to get involved, and to see how appreciative and grateful they are is truly wonderful.”

One of those recipients is Aaron who attends day services at LifeScape and will tell you: “I like getting gifts at Christmas!”

Aaron is just one of the many adults supported at LifeScape who enjoy the generosity of the Sioux Falls community and groups like Carsrud’s.

She has been leading the way with the wish list for three years in her group at Sanford because, as she put it, it’s so easy to do.

“You can pick up items while you’re grocery shopping or shopping for your family. Most of the time, wishes are for basic needs. It’s so easy to bring smiles to people with the simplest of things,” she said.

LifeScape Foundation director of development Jocy Smith said that’s exactly why the wish list project was created.

“It’s empowering people to live their best life,” she said.

As November kicks off the season of giving, the end of the month also celebrates Giving Tuesday. What started in 2012 as a movement to harness the power of social media and technology to promote charitable giving has spread across the globe, giving nonprofits like LifeScape the opportunity to become recipients of goodness through philanthropy.

“Whether it is sharing your time, talents or treasures, there is an option for our community to give back in the capacity that works best for them,” Smith said.

This movement is also a learning experience for nonprofits like LifeScape, filtering past a general donation request to narrowing down specific seasonal needs of the people LifeScape supports.

“We took a different approach this year and decided to focus on the gift of summer, raising funds for people to do the fun things summer offers without worrying about financial means to participate,” Smith said. “It’s not just a pass being purchased; it is unlocking smiles, new experiences and new memories. It’s opening doors for our community to join us as we build friendships and adventures.”

The feeling of knowing you have helped someone in need, from donations to volunteering, is the reason behind the season of giving.

“To show love and kindness to mankind, whether it is a small gesture or a grand gesture, philanthropy is to take care of others. You never know what will enhance people’s day,” Carsrud said.

To learn more about Giving Tuesday, which is Nov. 28, and the Gift of Summer, click here.

To learn more about opportunities to volunteer at LifeScape, click here.