Here's a really easy way to help end addiction stigma today

Megan Raposa -

This is a paid piece from Silverstar Car Wash.

Simplified: Emily's Hope is a local nonprofit focused on helping people suffering from substance use disorder, and you can support the work they're doing by making a donation – and getting a free car wash – at the new Silverstar Car Wash location on 41st Street.

Why it matters

  • Silverstar is committed to giving back to the community. That's why every time they open a new location, they raise money for a local nonprofit.
  • More than $1,400 has already been raised for Emily's Hope in the last week.
  • There's still time to give a free-will donation and to receive a free Platinum Plus wash. The fundraiser runs through Wednesday, June 16 at the location at 1221 W. 41st Street (near Costco, in the former Empire Car Wash location).
"We're very lucky to be a growing business, and Sioux Falls has always been a very supportive community to us," said Andrea Vetos, general manager for Silverstar. "Because we're growing and becauses we've always had the support of Sioux Falls, it's important for us to take that and to show some appreciation by giving back."

Tell me more about Emily's Hope

Angela Kennecke – a Sioux Falls mother and journalist (You'll recognize her from Keloland News) – founded Emily's Hope, named after her daughter who died in 2018 at age 21 from fentanyl poisoning.

The nonprofit has three primary goals:

  1. Stopping the stigma of addiction through education
  2. Offering treatment scholarships to the Avera Addiction Care Center
  3. Offering support through the Emily's Hope Sober Living House, part of the Oxford Network.

Kennecke said the work Emily's Hope does to help people suffering from addiction has helped her in her grieving process.

"I believe that addiction has touched most people's lives in one way or another," she said. "To know that we're using (Emily's) name and her story to help others is very rewarding to me."

Tell me more about Silverstar's new location

The 41st Street location opened June 4 with a brand new wash tunnel and a reconfigured parking lot with lots of space for vacuuming, Vetos said.

The new location also has a mat cleaning room, where you can take your floor mats to get a deep clean through two different machines.