An organization that reaches so many in the Sioux Falls area will begin a new fund drive in unique fashion. The 2016 Sioux Empire United Way campaign will start with Heart.

Obviously everyone involved with Sioux Empire United Way gives from their heart. To enhance that spirit of giving, Rock and Roll Hall-of-Fame inductees Heart will perform a concert to signal the next round of fundraising.

The campaign rally is scheduled for Monday, August 17, at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. For the first time, the annual event will feature a free concert. Longtime United Way partners, First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard are sponsoring the free event as the United Way welcomes the legendary rock band, Heart. The event is being titled the 2016 Sioux Empire United Way #StartWithHeart Rally.

In a press release, Board Chair of Sioux Empire United Way Paul Sova explains why the group is making such a splash. “The purpose of the event is to not only celebrate what we have done together, it is also a great opportunity to invite others who have not participated through United Way to stand with us. The community and its needs are growing fast. We’re going to need everyone’s help as we move forward. It will be a night where we will encourage everyone to #StartWithHeart and take their stand to make a difference in our community.”

The Sioux Empire United Way serves 33 communities. Currently, one in three people in the Sioux Empire are directly impacted by United Way, and as the population of the Sioux Empire continues to grow, so to will the need for crucial services like affordable childcare, afterschool services, homeless outreach and services for older adults.

“We believe our organization can only be successful if our community continues to be successful,” said Dave Rozenboom, President of First PREMIER Bank. “First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard strongly believe in the impact of the Sioux Empire United Way and have seen the benefits first-hand. In fact, PREMIER had a 96% employee participation rate in the Sioux Empire United Way this year. We are excited to sponsor this special free event in an effort to rally more individuals and companies to support the United Way’s mission.”

Tickets for the event were made available through the 700 local businesses that support Sioux Empire United Way and to their employees.

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