For more than two decades, Tom and Linda Elliott have operated A-OX Welding Supply Company, a family-owned medical, industrial, specialty gas and welding supply business, on the belief that true success goes beyond profits — it’s about making a positive impact on the community they call home.
It was a notion they worked hard to instill in their four children as well.
“Giving back is important. It’s why we’ve encouraged our kids to seek out philanthropic projects — it keeps them active in the community,” Tom said.
Today Tom and Linda, along with their four children, Trenton, Tiffany, Terran and Tisha, work together to explore impactful giving opportunities that align with the family’s philanthropic passions.
The family’s recent $1 million gift to Sanford Children’s Hospital was inspired by the miracles that happen every day inside the Castle of Care. Miracles the family witnessed first-hand.
“Our oldest son was born six weeks premature and spent a month in the NICU at Sanford Children’s,” Trenton said. “We didn’t know if he would make it. It was so traumatic. Having access to that facility and the comfort it brought — it made such a difference.”
After another grandson faced a heart issue, Linda said the family’s appreciation for Sanford Children’s grew even more. “Sanford reminds us of family — a family that’s working hard together to make a difference,” Linda said.
“When we bring new clients from all around the world, I always tell them the story of Sanford Children’s Hospital and drive them by the campus. I tell them how wonderful it is to have in our community,” Tom said.
The family worked with the Sanford Health Foundation to structure their gift, so a portion is spendable, supporting the Castle’s greatest needs of today, while the remainder is endowed to support care in the future.
“We love being able to make difference for families right now, and we love the ability to have lasting impact through the endowment. We can help kids today, and for generations to come,” the family said.
Erin Sanderson serves as the vice president for the Sanford Health Foundation in Sioux Falls. She called the Elliott family’s giving an example of “family philanthropy done right.”
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Tom and Linda love Sioux Falls and have always felt passionate about giving back — and they’ve passed that down to their kids. It’s a ripple effect of care and kindness that will continue on for generations. This is a family who not only loves each other, but also challenges each other to find ways to make a difference. What a beautiful thing to witness.
Vice president for the Sanford Health Foundation in Sioux Falls
“For the Elliotts, it’s not about the gift, it’s about the impact — that’s evident in how they structured their gift. They placed their trust in our teams to direct funds where they can do the most good for local pediatric patients and their families. That says so much about this family and their passion for helping in any and every way they can,” she said.
In addition to their support of Sanford Children’s Hospital, the Elliott family also supports the Sanford International, a PGA Tour Champions event held fall in Sioux Falls, as well as its breakout programming, including Women’s Day.
“Hearing those stories and the impact on local kids is so heartwarming and it keeps us connected even more,” Tisha said.
For the Elliotts, giving back is about coming together as a family to make a lasting impact on the community they call home.
“We have a tight family, and we’ve been successful — we want to share that to help other families and to help strengthen the Sioux Falls area,” they said.
Give for Good
If you’re inspired by this story and want to support the work of Sanford Health, make a gift through the Sanford Health Foundation today. 100% of your gift will help enhance and advance health care throughout the Sioux Falls region.