What started as a candy sale turned into a sweet deal for the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.

The Lowell Elementary School Student Council learned a lesson in helping the community this school year.

“We were just like, ‘How are we going to make a fundraiser?’ and we said, ‘Well, why don’t we sell suckers because kids love suckers,'” Lowell Elementary 5th Grader Lillian Kellar said.

Then the students put their heads together to decide who would be on the receiving end of a $1,000 donation.

“About a few weeks ago we thought, ‘Who are we going to give the money to?’ and I thought, ‘Why not the Humane Society?’ and we all thought that was a great idea,” Kellar said.

The students sold the candy for just 50 cents, but their efforts hold a big value to the shelter.

“It will help with food to care for the animals, as well as helping with our vet care as far as purchasing vaccinations. Since all the animals are vaccinated, dewormed, Frontlined, micro-chipped, it will help with those expenses as well,” Sioux Falls Area Humane Society Administrative Assistant Chasity Weeks said.

Unlike the care that the animals will receive, what these students are getting in return doesn’t come with a price tag.

“It’s amazing to see the youth knowing that they need to help the community,” Weeks said.

“We were like, ‘We’d like to make a difference in these animals’ lives,'” Kellar said.