Brookings, SD -
Dakotaland Federal Credit Union has launched its new Light It Up program to give back to local communities this holiday season. Since Thanksgiving evening, over 5,000 dazzling LED lights cover the front fa�ade of the Brookings branch and display a 10-minute long holiday light show set to music.
You can see a You Tube video of the display here:�
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxWosnL5Q_I
The public is invited to come to the Brookings location parking lot, 2423 Sixth Street, and watch the show.� It will run every evening until New Year's Day from 6 to 10 p.m. Audiences may tune their car radios to 89.5 FM to listen to the music accompaniment. After the presentation, spectators are asked to give a free will donation to help provide babies in the Brookings area the best start in life. ��So far, they have raised $500.
"At Dakotaland, we wanted the post-show donations to benefit local kids in the Brookings area to leave a lasting impression," said Brookings Branch Manager Chad Moller who developed the concept. "Healthy babies are an investment in our future and Dakotaland Federal Credit Union is excited to 'light' the way."
Funds raised from Dakotaland's light show will be donated to Brookings Health System Foundation, earmarked to help fund the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), which the health system announced it was pursuing Summer 2013 in an effort to improve breastfeeding outcomes within the community.
Evidence-based benefits of breastfeeding include cost savings for families, fewer work absences by mothers, and improved long-range health outcomes for children as they grow and develop.
"In addition to reducing babies risks for childhood diseases and conditions like SIDS, ear infections, respiratory illnesses, juvenile diabetes and childhood obesity, breastfeeding reduces risks for long-term chronic adult diseases like Type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, certain cancers and coronary artery disease, to name a few," said OB Director Mary Schwaegerl who leads BFHI efforts at Brookings Health System.
