Rising Arrows supported through annual Christmas event
January 6, 2026
Peoples Bank in Sioux Center proudly hosted the 5th annual Christmas for a Cause, a festive walk-through Christmas light display at Heritage Village in Sioux Center. This annual event, organized and displayed by Peoples Bank, brings the community together to celebrate the season while supporting a local non-profit organization.
From late November through late December, attendees enjoyed the Christmas light displays and had the opportunity to make a freewill donation to Rising Arrows, this year’s featured non-profit. Despite several snowy weekends, the generosity of attendees helped raise an incredible $15,000 for Rising Arrows!
"As Rising Arrows continues to grow and impact kids’ lives each summer, we are grateful for our community who has supported us,” says Rising Arrows Founder Sam Mosher.
“Whether you call Sioux Center home or visited Christmas For A Cause from out of town, your generosity makes an impact that lasts. Thank you for making a difference and supporting Rising Arrows,” said Sioux Center Peoples Bank President Dale Vander Berg.
In response to a growing community need for childcare, adequate food and additional learning during the summer months, Rising Arrows started with 20 kids in the summer of 2020 at New Life Church in Sioux Center. In 2023, Rising Arrows partnered with Kinsey Elementary where the summer program is now held.
Rising Arrows, based on Psalm 127:4: “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth,” provides a high-quality summer learning experience that is safe, fun and guides kids to recognize the asset they are to their community. The summer program is nine weeks, three days a week in the summer months. Breakfast, lunch and a snack are provided daily. Days consist of optional Bible lessons, physical activities, crafts, and life skills. They also provide math and reading lessons daily to further the kids’ academics. On Fridays, kids experience Sioux Center and amenities the city has to offer.
Going into its sixth summer, Rising Arrows has grown to 140-150 kids and 20-25 staff members. They operate a budget of $85,000-$90,000, and it takes $500 to sponsor one child for the summer.
“Peoples Bank’s Christmas For A Cause has been a blessing to many organizations throughout their years, and we are thankful for God’s faithfulness to allow us to be recipients this year,” Mosher said. “Thank you to everyone who donated and who came in to say, ‘hi,’ and enjoy hot chocolate. It was wonderful to meet so many people and get to hear about Christmas plans for their families. What a blessing for Sioux Center to have a space like Heritage Village to have this incredible event where people can come together and celebrate the birth of our Savior while giving back.”
In addition to the main Christmas For A Cause Christmas light display and hot chocolate nights, Peoples Bank also hosted weekend events including cookie and ornament decorating, a snow globe craft, pictures with and letters to Santa, pictures with Frozen characters, a gingerbread house contest, and a performance from the Sioux Center High School A Cappella Choir & Instrumentalists.
About Christmas For A Cause
Christmas For A Cause, walk-through Christmas light display, started in 2021. Peoples Bank in Sioux Center partners with a local non-profit each year with all freewill donations from Christmas For A Cause going to that non-profit. Past non-profits supported include Family Crisis Centers, Katelyn's Fund, and Midwest Honor Flight. Over $48,000 has been raised for these non-profits!