Holiday 5 | A Region of Giving

A Region of giving

Hol iday

December 2009

Northwest Indiana Celebrates

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Caring, Giving and Compassion in our Region Katy Welter, Co-Chair Porter County United Way

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

SCHERERVILLE • US Routes 30 & 41 ST. JOHN • 9825 Wicker Avenue WHITING • 1836 Calumet Ave. CHICAGO • 2627 N. Elston Ave PLAINFIELD • 2300 IL Rt. 59

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

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index of advertisers

Happy Holidays

Warm wishes to you and your family from your friends at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America.

We’re proud to be a part of this community and are thankful for the opportunity to serve people who support and foster growth in rural America.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

A

Region of

Giving

B

uddha, who lived between 563 BC and 483 BC, once said, “If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.� Certainly that sentiment has been echoed throughout the ages as we humans share our compassion with fellow humans. Right here in our own region, our community takes care of each other through sharing and giving every day, in small ways that go unnoticed, and large displays that bring attention and cultivate further giving. The Times is proud to take a look at just a few of the ways that area individuals, companies, and organizations have given back to the community over the past year, the past many years, and into the future. It is our way of saying thank you for sharing the power of giving.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

7

Sheltering

T

those inNeed

he basic needs in life–food, shelter, warmth, love, are not always easy to attain and maintain.

Many obstacles in life prevent the essentials from the lives of many in our community, right here in Northwest Indiana. But through the commitment and dedication of individuals and groups in our region, the fundamentals in life come one step closer to reality for all.

At the Haven House in Hammond, executive director Lisa Wein says the

8

By Heather Augustyn : Times Correspondent

need for her organizations’ services of providing safe shelter for abused women and their children is on the rise. “Haven House is 26 years old. We provide emergency shelter to battered women and their children. I’ve been here 12 year as executive director and I’m seeing trends with this economy that I’ve never seen. In the last three months my census climbed 45%. I thought I had made a mistake, but we went over the statistics again, and I can tell you it’s truly economy based,” says Wein.

The problem is stress caused from economic strains, says Wein. “You’ve got people who are feeling the effects of their job loss and they can’t hold it together

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

with their bills and employment benefits run out and the safety net is gone for our families. Anything that is there to hold things in place is gone and stress levels rise. Another thing I’ve noticed is in the last year and a half I’m seeing more cases of women in their 50s being abused by their grown children, because families have moved in together. In the past it was once in a blue moon we saw a case like this and now it’s a pattern.”

Another issue faced by Haven House is addressed directly by helpful staff.

“We have also gone through the roof this year with calls coming in from Spanishspeaking victims. I have bilingual staff this year and we can provide all of our

services in Spanish. Even though we get the word out, so many more women do not know there are Spanish-speaking services available. We go out into the community and do public speaking on issues of abuse and the speech can be given entirely in Spanish. We have all of our materials here in Spanish,” says Wein. “We service Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting, Griffith, Munster, and Highland, the communities in Northwest Indiana with the largest Spanish speaking population in this area, so it’s a necessity for us.”

Haven House provides safe shelter for those in need. “It’s all the essentials continued on page 11

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

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continued from page 8 of everyday living. My primary job is to get women into safety, stabilizing their safety, and helping them to acquire the tools to help them live independently of their abuser. We provide life skills to groups, groups for kids, domestic abuse education groups, and we do a whole collaboration of types of groups to enhance the ability of these women to take care of themselves. We provide advocacy for these women to provide help in court for protective orders and accompany her to court. We literally take care of all of the person’s needs here, at no cost to the victim. Many victims don’t come because they think there is some cost, but in Indiana there is no cost at shelters. A woman will never be charged for shelter no matter how many times she comes in,” says Wein.

Another shelter offering help for victims of domestic abuse is the Caring Place in Valparaiso. Mary Beth Schultz, executive director of the Caring Place explains, “We provide shelter and safety to both men and women and their dependent children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; advocacy and guidance to assist victims in developing the tools allowing them to live independently; a Women’s Recovery Program in conjunction with domestic violence services, which includes housing and case management to women suffering from addiction; an Emergency Response Volunteer (ERV) program, where staff and volunteers assist victims of rape and violence through the initial stages of trauma at a hospital or clinic; educational resources

Robert Wray | The Times

A Place for Caring

Pictured (l to r) Darrell Franklin, Janet Stewart, Erin Miller and Patricia Johnson of Spring Valley Shelter in Valparaiso stand in one of the recently rehabbed apartments at the facility. The shelter can house up to 28 families. to the community through professional speaking engagements and lectures; and confidential services free of charge.”

Schultz says she too has seen a rise in the number of abuse cases lately.

“In tough economic times we see an increased need in services. Two things happen around the holidays. If someone is in an abusive relationship they’re less likely to leave if finances are tight, so they might stay in an abusive relationship, which we fear. If they do leave they have to have resources to

We ask donors to give gift cards and it’s worked out really well.

Mary Beth Schultz Executive Director The Caring Place, Valparaiso

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stay out of an abusive relationship,” says Schultz. They have created a number of different ways to provide these services for their clients. “Around the holidays we developed a new system to help our clients, and we ask donors to give gift cards and it’s worked out really well.

We take them shopping and then take them out to lunch and report back to our donors. Our clients receive all of their basic necessities, towels, toothbrush, deodorant, and then the long-term care, helping with public aid, finding jobs, finding housing, finding medical care, and we’re lucky to have a very strong network of organizations in this community so they can have resources available to them and have their needs met.” The result is enormous, says Schultz. “Our clients do well. One of the things that has really stood out to me is with very little in a very short period of time someone goes from dire straits to a whole different person.

Their load is lightened and they really do well. It doesn’t take a lot to make someone feel better about them self and make them change the course of their life,” she says.

Shelter for the Homeless Families For those who struggle to have a place to live, due to foreclosure, eviction, or temporary issues, Spring Valley Shelter in Valparaiso is a resource that many came together to create. Spring Valley Shelter offers temporary housing for homeless families. With the capacity for 28 families, each apartment in the new facility was rehabbed by volunteers representing churches, businesses, service organizations and CCA friends.

Youth groups, Girl and Boy Scouts and other young volunteers assisted in cleaning and building items for common space areas for clients and staff. In all, Spring Valley Shelter received help from more than 800 volunteers who donated thousands of hours collectively. The new facility is truly a reflection of our caring community.

Erin Miller, program director says, “Our clients come as a family and we’re a family shelter, not a single shelter, and there’s a significant need for this kind of

Holiday : A Region of Giving

continued on page 15 [ December 16, 2009 ]

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

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Photo Provided

continued from page 11 housing now.

The kind of clients we serve don’t fall under the definition of homeless by HUD because they’re not individuals, they’re families. The average age of a person in our shelter is nine, so we make sure these kids can keep going in their education, have a safe environment, and don’t get stuck in a rut of the situational

C

9 8 86 6

Missy, from Nazareth Home comforts an infant boy. The mission at the Nazareth Home is to care for poor and powerless infants and children.

poverty we’re seeing. We help parents get a job, help with job interviewing, resume building, and employment seeking, and help them with finishing their education. We run an emergency assistance program too and see a need for heat and utility assistance, rent assistance, and that’s a whole different service from the shelter we provide. Our donors have been phenomenal and they give money, coats, gifts for kids, and help to get it done.”

Caring for the Children At Nazareth Home, infants and children are given the help and attention they desperately need to survive. Sister Barb Kuper of Nazareth Home, a licensed foster home located in East Chicago, Indiana, says the facility provides individualized twenty-four hour per day care for medically compromised children who are referred by the Department of Child Services. The mission of Nazareth Home is to care for poor and powerless infants and children, those unable to speak for themselves, by providing them with a loving, caring and stable beginning. Nazareth Home is dedicated

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to meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of medically compromised infants and children who are faced with extraordinary challenges in life as a result of being abandoned by or removed from families without the capacity to provide appropriate care. A medically compromised child maybe suffering from drug withdrawal or may be attached to a variety of life support systems.

Kuper says, “We opened our doors in April 1993. There was a need for children who are medically compromised and the parents were not able to take care of them, so foster care came to St. Catherine Hospital and asked for help.

When we get a patient, I go pick them up from the hospital and some infants may only be days old, while others are five or six. Other times foster care will call when children are taken away from the family because of neglect or other incapacitation.

We nurture these children and give them a lot of love and attention so they are well-rounded children, because some are very sick when they come to us and we have to really nurture them and give them attention. Sometimes we have to go slow to get their trust, and you go from there.”

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

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15

Hospitals Treat Entire Community Care the

with

S

By Heather Augustyn : Times Correspondent

ome may think of the human being in terms of body, mind, and spirit. But for our regional hospitals, they see the three linked as one. So too is the life of the community. Taking care of the thing that is Northwest Indiana requires thinking of our individuals’ needs: medical, mental, and spiritual, all as one. This means our area hospitals take care of the spirit of the region by making sure our medical and mental needs are met. To this end they perform endless acts of community outreach, provide financial support, and give a level of state-of-the art care that makes us proud to call our region home.

Sisters of St. Francis Health Services is on a mission At Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Regional Chief Executive Officer Northern Indiana Gene Diamond says giving back to the community is part of the mission upon which the hospital was founded. “It boils down to the source of the Sisters of St. Francis mission which was the inspiration given by St. Francis of Assisi, who is still a world-acclaimed figure more than 750 years after his death. He became a riveting figure because he placed no limits on his willingness to 16

give to his God and to others all the love he possibly could. And the Sisters of St. Francis embrace that philosophy. They welcome all members of the community at all times and have for the past 130 years and more. It’s part of our culture.

Our employees are drawn to this. They stay with us and embrace it and we see its benefits in the folks we care for, but also in the tremendous awards we experience in being able to do this. So in my view we get far more out of this than

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

we give. We see these virtues come into our own lives,” says Diamond.

This mission is translated into real care for those in need. “Last year alone, our hospitals together provided nearly $130 million in uncompensated care, community education, and provision of essential services to the needy,”

St. Francis of Assisi’s willingness to give is still the inspiration at Sisters of St. Francis Health Services today.

continued on page 19 A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

219-365-9554 A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

continued from page 16

Dr. Oz and Omni 41 Team Up to Help Local Family

W

Tasha Thurston and son Denzel, along with Tasha’s mother Annette Warren, were awarded a one-year gym membership to Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection after their appearance on the Dr. Oz show.

hen Omni 41 Health & Fitness Connection’s general manager, Marci Crozier, and executive director, Sharon Sporman, received a call that a local family was in need, they leaped, jumped, sprinted to their rescue.

Sporman says, “I received a phone call from a long-time acquaintance from the fitness industry to say that someone from the Dr. Oz show contacted him about a family of four from East Chicago who was in need of an exercise regimen and would we help out. They asked us to fly out there for the show to meet them, which

we did.” Crozier adds, The Dr. Oz show asked us to work with them for three days a week for a year and to give a one year membership for the four members of the family. So we went to St. Margaret Mercy, who oversees the center, and graciously the hospital agreed to do this for this family. We wanted to do our part for social accountability reasons too.”

Annette Warren, the mother in the family, daughter Tatasha, grandson Denzel Thruston, and brother Willie Morris were part of the show. Annette explains, “We were invited to the Dr. Oz show. We sent a letter asking for help and by the time Dr. Oz got the letter, my husband, Everett Warren,

St. Clare Health Clinic Serves Underprivileged, Uninsured Residents with New Facility in 2010

operations at 1000 S. Court St., until the new, $2 million, 7,400 square-footplus complex is completed in 2010.

“In these uncertain economic times, St. Clare Health Clinic is being asked to play a more active role in supporting our neighbors and friends,” says Warren Johnson, who was director of development for Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Northern Indiana Region when the project began. “Building a new clinic is about honoring our mission and supporting our values in serving our neighbors

T

he St. Clare Health Clinic and Prenatal Assistance Program offer free services to uninsured and underprivileged area residents in our region.

The Prenatal Assistance Program, which has served the community since 2002, has moved to a temporary location at Saint Anthony-North Point while a new facility is built. St. Clare continues

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

had passed, . We did a physical and he showed us what would happen if we didn’t change our lifestyle. He flew us back again to show us an open heart surgery from obesity where we met the patient and he said he wanted to save our lives and told us to not get into his situation. It was life changing,” says Warren.

Warren says that the membership from Omni 41 has been very good for the family. “I saw Sharon and Marci in the front row during the show and recognized them because my husband and I used to be a member of Omni in the 80s. They gave us a membership and after the show we started hugging and crying because

with respect and creating new and expanded space for the delivery of health care and additional resources for our community,” he says. “This program supports mothers-to-be and new mothers in navigating community resources and public assistance programs. They will have more private space and larger areas for clothing and supplies, making this vital service even more accessible.”

The St. Clare Health Clinic provides programs focused on prevention, early detection, patient Photo Provided

says Diamond. This contribution included such things as charity care, unpaid cost of Medicaid, community services, and public programs.

Sisters of St. Francis Health Services provides medical and other supplies, health care and other services, screenings, support groups, educational opportunities and presentations, monetary donations, and other sponsorships. Members from all of their organizations contribute their time and skills and, in meaningful ways, touch many lives in the community.

Everett had passed. We’ve all started training and it’s going fine. I’m doing cardio and stress training and we have to be there. They gave us patches that monitor our calorie intake so they can look in the computer and see how we’re doing. We stay in contact with the Dr. Oz show,” says Warren.

The show has not yet aired, but already the rewards are being felt by the family and the community. “Giving is one of those things where you receive more than receiving. Our staff embraced that we could help these people. It’s all about helping to make the world a healthier place,” Crozier says. continued on page 20

education, physical exams, health screenings and management of chronic illnesses, including asthma, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, medication assistance. The Prenatal Assistance Program provides free pregnancy testing, referral and assistance with accessing community and hospital resources, nutritional and pregnancyrelated education, regular and supportive contacts during pregnancy, and a clothing closet for expectant mother and baby needs.

The new, joint complex will also include a social services section where case workers can provide those in need with appropriate resources; conference rooms and reference areas to give patients information about options; a medication assistance program and medication area to provide a range of free services and to help people understand their prescriptions; an expanded food pantry.

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

19

HOSPITALS

Porter Hospital takes steps reaching well beyond the health of the community

G

iving back to the community is also part of the everyday mission at Porter Hospital in Valparaiso. Kelly Credit, director of strategy and marketing says, “Our commitment to giving back to the community is seen in a variety of ways and has increased since our new ownership two years ago. We’re mindful of how we benefit the community and feel it is important to give back. In addition to giving millions to the county, state, and country in taxes, we‘ve increased the amount of charity in uncompensated benefits we provide our patients to the tune of $32 million a year. We also assist the North Shore Health Centers and Healthlink and subsidize care to their patients who can’t afford services. We provide over $1 mil a year to their patients. These clinics do so much and so many people need those services, and working with them is important to us. We also give over $200,000 a year to non profits for their programming needs,” says Credit.

Porter Hospital is also committed to

20

the community in the level of care they administer and the future they see in the region. “We’re real committed to bringing more highly credited physicians to region. We’ve added 21 board-certified physicians to our staff and have more to come next year. We’re also committed

Rendering of the new Porter Hospital.

year you’ll see us investing in some changes to our labor and delivery unit aimed at giving moms an even better experience. We provide, completely free, our Healthy Woman program by giving health information to our members and their families, programming, and publicly

It’s our mission to give back to the community. The health of the community is more than just medical care.

It’s because we care about the health of all of the communities we serve.

Kelly Credit : Porter Hospital, Director of Strategy and Marketing

to medical excellence. We’re rapidly adding new medical care to region, such as DaVinci Robotics, cardiac imaging, minimally invasive hip surgery, and next

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

”

speaking in the community. There are over 1,000 members in this program.

We provide free screenings, like blood pressure and blood sugar screening

Photos Provided

Free community education classes are available throughout the year at Porter Hospital.

continued from page 19

throughout the region and go to Westville, Wanatah, and the county,” says Credit.

“And of course, there’s the new hospital. We’re investing more than $210 million on the new campus at Route 6 and I-49. We’re bringing a truly world-class level of health care to Northwest Indiana.

This facility will offer all private rooms and a separate cardiac and vascular institute.

The hospital is designed completely around the needs of the patient. We’ve laid out all the departments so their locations make sense for easy access, and we have a larger intensive care unit.

This new facility will bring a level of health care available today, from a technology standpoint, but not all under one roof at many places. Here in the region we’ll have all this in a comforting, warm environment.

You won’t have to leave to go to Chicago for these services,” she says.

“It’s our mission to give back to the community. The health of the community is more than just medical care. It’s because we care about the health of all of the communities we serve.” continued on page 23

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

With a commitment to providing personalized patient care, Porter integrates the most advanced technology to deliver the treatment that makes your life…better.

Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

The first and only regional hospital to offer OSI surgical technology, which gets you up and moving more quickly. Overall orthopedic services at Porter are among the best 15% in the nation as measured by HealthGrades®, the nation's leading healthcare ratings organization.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

21

22

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

continued from page 20

Methodist Hospital engages in The Region with impressive numbers, results

Methodist Hospitals President/ CEO, Ian McFadden, shakes hands with Myron Cleveland, truck driver for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, after donating over 1,000 lbs. of food collected during National Hospital Week.

Photos Provided

M

ethodist Hospital, with locations in Gary and Merrillville, recognizes the importance of serving the community and giving back to those in need. Ian McFadden, president and CEO of Methodist Hospital says, “Methodist Hospitals is deeply ingrained in the communities we serve. Since 1923 it’s been our mission to provide the highest quality of care to all of our patients regardless of their ability to pay. Our work and relationships in the community reflect the spirit and culture of the organization. If you look at the amount of screenings, seminars, programs and outreach that Methodist Hospitals and its employees provide to the community, it’s evident that this is a value that is firmly held by every employee, as well as our physicians, at Methodist Hospitals. Most individuals who enter the health care field, do so because they feel a need and a responsibility to care for others. We have found that engaging the organization in supporting these health care organizations gives employees an avenue to volunteer, fundraiser, and support these causes that are very dear to many of them.”

Methodist Hospital provides financial assistance to individuals that are underinsured or uninsured through their Helping Heart Program, the

Healthy Indiana Plan, and discounts for self pay. Ken Kubisty, chief revenue officer, says they offer such outreach as free screenings several times a year throughout the community, they advocate for the underserved through organizations such as the Northwest Indiana Health Disparities Initiative, and partnering with community groups to increase resources and awareness.

“In the later part of this year we went through a significant expansion to our financial assistance program, expanding our coverage and federal assistance for those below the poverty level as well as those above the poverty level. Together these programs are the most generous assistance programs in Northwest Indiana.

We’ve implemented a red flag identity theft prevention. program to verify patients’ identity to prevent individuals from claiming their someone other than who they are.

We’ve expanded our financial advocates and staff to find local, state, and federal funding sources.

We just implemented a debt amnesty program and took all of the open debts and offered people a onetime 45% discount on their balance if they could make payments. We have a lot of good things going on and we do everything possible to support the community we serve,” says Kubisty.

In addition, Methodist Hospital offers free community health fairs, where over 1,000 people received cholesterol, blood

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

Methodist Hospitals had the largest team at the AHA Heart Walk and was named the Top Fundraising Hospital for the sixth year in a row.

sugar, blood pressure, bone density, and oxygen level screening; bone density checks, body fat analysis, and several of their physicians participate so that individuals can review their screening results and ask health questions. They also provide monthly stroke and cancer screenings, and provide discount services offered throughout the year to encourage preventative care on prostate screenings, mammograms, bone density scans, heart scans, vein screenings, educational seminars, childbirth and parenting classes. Their rehab centers offer monthly classes on back pain and fall prevention.

T

he numbers translate into real results. Over the past year the Methodist Hospital System has provided over 3000 screenings and projects $20 to 25 million dollars in care provided at no cost or deeply discounted to uninsured or insured patients that cannot pay. They provided hospital sponsorships to non-profit organizations including $150,000 to the American Heart Association, $10,000 to the March of Dimes, $5,500 to the American Cancer Society, and $1,000 to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Methodist Hospital employee-driven community contributions include $60,000 raised for the American Heart Association at the recent Heart Walk, $10,000 raised for the March of Dimes from proceeds raised

Methodist Hospitals’ employees, Shirley Roberson, Human Resources; Mary Jackson, Environmental Services and Lakisha Bonds, Human Resources stand next to the collection of donated gifts for nearly 200 children identified by the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. The gifts were transported to the Salvation Army in five large truckloads and included several bicycles, games, dolls and clothing.

by a cookbook developed by hospital staff, $4,000 raised for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk for the American Cancer Society, $1,500 raised for the Multiple Sclerosis Walk, $3,000 raised through Friday Blue Jean Fundraisers held for the Angel Network, over 1,000 pounds of food donated to the Northwest Indiana Food Pantry by employees during Hospital Week, and participation in Angel Tree Program during the holidays for underprivileged children through the Salvation Army.

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

23

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

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Blythe’s Sports Shop

2810 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN, 219.462.4412 2686 Willowcreek Rd., Portage, IN, 219.764.1151 _______________________________________________

Logo school bags--this year’s number one gift item. Get them while they last! Available in Valparaiso and Portage. $26.99.

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

25

Brumm’s Bloomin’ Barn

2540 45th Avenue, Highland, IN 219.924.1000, www.paradeofgifts.com ______________________________________

Melissa & Doug® is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products.

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Deschamps Eye Care

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SawGrass Marketplace Engstrom Jewelers

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Ruby ring—14k white gold filigree ruby and diamond ring containing .94cttw of rubies and .03cttw of diamonds.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

1505 S. Calumet Road, Chesterton, IN 219.201.7094, www.sawgrassmarketplace.com ____________________________________________

Old World foiling and soldering creates this one-of-kind butterfly piece offered by Charlena’s Custom Glass. Stain glass, mosaic and fusing can all be found in beautiful and decorative colored home décor pieces at Charlena’s booth located in SawGrass Marketplace, $35.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

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When

Times Get

Tough,

Tough

the

Get

A

ccording to the American Association of Fundraising Counsel, charitable giving in 2008 was down 5.7 percent. No doubt with the state of the economy that number will drop even more in 2009. And the recession has meant there is even more need for social services. But statistics have never gotten to the spirits of Northwest Indiana where spirit and hope lead the charge for fulfilling the needs of our community.

So when times get tough, the tough get creative.

Katy Welter, a resident of Porter County, has realized the power of the individual. She is channeling her efforts to help others. Kathy and her father Chuck, owner of the new Welter National Bank, are the co-chairs for this year’s United Way campaign and they have donated the $15,000 for the incentive gifts for the campaign. She continues to give worldwide and is currently in Nepal

Creative

By Heather Augustyn : Times Correspondent

working with an American-based nonprofit called the Nepal Orphans Home.

Melissa Castle-Kirincic, resource development director at the United Way of Porter County says, “Right now we’re about 30 percent into our campaign and we’re about 4 percent down from last year, so we try to think of innovative ways to raise funds. We did a silent auction at the county fair this year and we raised over $30,000 with over 400 items. It was a great location on the midway and a great way to kick off our campaign. We hadn’t done that before and it was a big success. We also wanted to do something out of the box and have introduced restaurant discount cards where restaurants join in and proceeds from the sale of the cards benefit the United Way. Our goal is to raise $15,000 with that. It’s wonderful to see how the community comes together in times of need. We also just completed a NWI tweetup with about 250 members who join together at a restaurant each month and do a silent auction or other fundraiser while at the restaurant. This past month it was at Pesto’s and we raised over $500 that evening, so it’s the normal annual campaign we’re doing with small grass-

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roots fundraisers.”

Sharon Kish, president of the United Way of Porter County says the dollars raised have a tremendous local reach. “The United Way of Porter County supports 40 nonprofits right here in Porter County that range from prenatal care at the health clinics, all the way through end of life issues with hospice, and everything in between, so it’s all those areas of life that touch families. Last year we raised $2 million that is put back in the community in program services and about 30 percent of our campaign is designated to agencies and the other dollars go through the allocation process. The total number of people served is 79,730 through United Way funded agencies, so that touches almost one in three lives in Porter County. Last year 93,000 hot meals were delivered through United Way-funded Meals on Wheels, and 36,000 transportation rides were provided through United Way-funded Porter County Aging & Community Services, so a lot of people are touched through the donations of continued on page 29

A Region of giving

Hol iday

December 2009

Northwest Indiana Celebrates

Feeding, Clothing and Sheltering Those In Need When Times Get Tough, the Tough Get Creative Shop the Region and You Could Win a $3000 Dream Vacation

Caring, Giving and Compassion in our Region Katy Welter, Co-Chair Porter County United Way

(Top) Katy Welter and her father, Chuck are co-chairs of this year’s Porter County United Way campaign.

FROM THE COVER Katy Welter

stands at the top of the Thorung La Pass in Nepal, at 17,770 feet, taking 11 days to hike there and then nearly another week to reach the end point. Katy will be volunteering through Christmas with an American-based nonprofit called the Nepal Orphans Home. She says the trip is really rewarding and the children are “fantastic.”

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

29

United Way.” Even though it’s tough, Kish says she is confident their goal of $2 million will be reached. “We’re hoping people will continue to give and see it’s for their family and friends and neighbors.

It’s the giving season and a lot of people need help. And the money at United Way in Porter County stays local. It helps the people that live here,” says Kish. The campaign has taken a creative turn to ensure this happens. “In the years past we gave away a car from Kennedy Buick, a Harley Davidson, and this year we have $15,000 donated by Welter National Bank, a new bank opening up in Porter County. This money will be used for a drawing among our donors that will be given away as five prizes as an incentive for people to give. The official end of the campaign is on March 16, 2010 at Strongbows in Valparaiso,” says Kish.

Other unique projects headed up by the United Way Porter County are also on the docket. Castle-Kirincic says, “There are a lot of toy and coat drives

going on right now and coupled with that we’re doing a stuffed animal drive. New stuffed animals are given to elementary schools in Northwest Indian to be used in conjunction with counselors in schools.

This experience has spearheaded into a

reading-buddies program where stuffed animals have been used as a partner for students to read aloud to and literacy results have been outstanding. The Valparaiso University softball team has been a partner on this program.”

Robert Wray | The Times

continued from page 28

S

hannon Burhans, owner of The eState, a collectibles shop in Portage, also realizes the power of the individual. “Since we’ve been in Portage we’ve been in involved in a lot of activities, such as the Chamber of Commerce boards and committees, I’ve served as president of the Portage Kiwainis, my husband Dave is in Rotary Club, we’re active with the YCMA and participate in their functions and donate and sponsor whatever they need. We’re involved in our kids’ schools, I coach gymnastics, and we keep pretty busy,” says Burhans.

Why does Burhans commit so much time to the community when running a successful business must already be plenty time consuming? Says Burhans, “Number one, it’s a good example for our kids and they volunteer at functions too. They’re used to being there and they understand that we’re fortunate and there are a lot of people who aren’t as

The Burham family, owners of The eState, volunteer regularly and feel it’s an excellent way to teach their kids by example.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

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president of the association, has led his group over the past year to involvement in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Caring About Military Personnel; The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana; Habitat for Humanity; and Meals on Wheels.

“We have also awarded 38 scholarships to area high school seniors who are furthering their education in some field of the automotive industry. To date we have given $76,000 in scholarship money.

On top of that, each member dealer gives money all throughout the year to various organizations and charities such as the Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and Little League teams,” says Burelli.

Ginger Misch, events coordinator and motor clothes manager at Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso says they’re more than just a motorcycle shop.

“One of our largest events is our ride for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Together with our Duneland H.O.G. Chapter, this year we raised over $12,000 for MDA and a few children with muscular dystrophy were on

site to enjoy the motorcycles and company of the other riders. They seemed to have a good time. The American Cancer Society also benefited from a recent event here. A poker run was held in early October 2009 and over $2,000 was donated to breast cancer research.

We thank U.S. Steel for partnering with us on such a great event. Also, when a member of our Harley family falls ill or is badly injured, we do all we can to help them. We have hosted numerous rides and benefits for customers and their family members. Donating the proceeds, we have helped with medical bills and many other unexpected burdens on our Harley family” says Misch.

In store, Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso has ways for customers to give back. “If you stop in throughout the holiday season you will notice an Angel Tree as well as a

Jessica A. Woolf | The Times

fortunate. We sponsor a family through Kiwanis through Opportunity Enterprises for the holidays and shop for presents together. My kids go too to help choose gifts. It makes you feel good to be able to give back and it just makes sense. We see a lot of our customers when we’re out volunteering and it makes them feel good to know that they shop at a place give back to community.”

The Northwest Indiana Auto Trade Association, a local association for Northwest Indiana new car dealerships with about 25 dealer members and 20 associate members, is also committed to giving back to the region through charitable acts. Gino Burelli, co-owner of the Harbor Automotive group and

Harley-Davidson in Valparaiso sponsors a number of activities and motorcycle rides to benefit charities such as the Ride for the Troops event held this summer.

Toys for Tots donation box. We accept gifts for the underprivileged children in our community and hope to brighten these children’s holidays. Santa also visits during the holiday season and customers may pay to have their pictures with him.

The fee for the pictures is donated to leukemia research,” she says.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

31

Paid Advertisement

N

ote! It is our duty to let you know what is going on in our dental community that we do not agree with, and make sure that patients are not misled. There are dentists who are taking short weekend classes and are giving a pill for ORAL sedation and are advertising sedation dentistry. We use oral sedation in our office with proper monitoring and for only certain cases; but, the IV sedation method is much safer, the medications are reversible instantaneously, we monitor patients as in a hospital setting, and IV sedation is a true sedation and sleep dentistry instead of a mere anxiolytic(anxiety reduction). Oral sedation is fine, but only for certain patients and procedures! These dentists may advertise “you would not get your tonsils taken out without sedation”, but there is not an anesthesiologist in the United States who would give you a valium or a related pill and have you barely asleep for that procedure. Your procedures will not necessarily be painless with this method. Please, don’t be one of those phobic patients who goes to the “other place” to save a little money and then end up in our office due to a bad and misleading experience. We have so many of these patients, and many others we never see, unfortunately, because they end up not ever going to a dentist again.

Always ask the questions, “Who will be performing my sedation, who will be doing the procedures, is it IV or oral sedation, and will I be awake during and remember the procedure?” We have seen where there is a nurse anesthetist for the sedation, AND a general dentist for the fillings and extractions, AND an endodontist for the root canal, as the dentist could not do all of the dental work himself, as ours like Dr. Atcha can. We don’t inconvenience our patients by having so many providers involved with their care. Dr. Atcha is the only licensed and certified advanced trained dentist to perform the IV sedation and the dental care on his patients.

The method in other offices costs more money, is inconvenient, and our patients appreciate that Dr. Atcha can do all of the work himself without the help of specialists.

Some dentists who are not trained in sedation will use the help of a nurse anesthetist to sedate their patient for special occasions in their own private offices, but understand their offices are not equipped or designed specifically for sedation. Unlike the offices using an outside source for sedation on an occasional basis we have CRNA’s and medical doctor anesthesiologists on a routine basis and have full outpatient sedation suits equipped with the best and newest monitoring and sedation technology and equipment we could find to assure your experience will be safe and 100% comfortable. General dentists typically have little or no knowledge of the sedation process.

We are fully capable and equipped, and educated and ready for any special circumstance to present itself. All of our clinical staff members, including assistants, are routinely trained on emergency medical procedures and CPR. Our doctors, CRNAs and Anesthesiologists are trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Dr. Atcha’s intense sedation training and his ongoing continuing education, allows him to personally perform his IV sedations every day in the mornings and occasionally all day, and is able to safely monitor his own patients and administer medications as needed without the assistance of CRNAs or anesthesiologists.

Since general anesthesia is used where the patient is unconscious and in a deeper state of sleep, a nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist is necessary to completely focus on the patient and the dentist is free to focus on dental work in this instance. Dr. Atcha has teamed up with a board certified anesthesiologist to deliver general anesthesia in the office for patient’s comfort and safety with keeping the costs down for his patients. Also, Dr. Atcha routinely has referrals from Dentists who perform “MAGIC PILL SEDATION” and is trusted on a daily basis by dentists in IL and IN to treat their more unique cases and dental phobics.

PART II Most dentists that only provide oral sedation, advertise sedation with just a single pill. These oral medications are only effective in individuals that are mildly anxious.

Very anxious or phobic patients never achieve their desired level of comfort. Oral sedation can actually make an anxious patient more uncooperative. Contrary to advertised claims, patients are NOT ASLEEP with oral sedation. For a patient to be asleep with oral sedation, they must be overdosed! This places them at risk, especially since only minimal patient monitoring is present or utilized in offices that advertise oral sedation. A dentist need only attend a weekend course to be able to provide oral sedation in their practice. A few dentists like Dr. Atcha are trained to provide IV, or intravenous sedation for their patients. IV sedation can provide a much better patient experience because medications are administered directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous line. The patients will be asleep throughout their appointment for their comfort. Dentists are only required to take advanced training in a hospital setting and pass a test, and pass an on-site inspection to receive a sedation/Anesthesia permit.

COMMON QUESTION:

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• fear of dentistry • had traumatic dental experiences • difficulty getting numb • a bad gag reflex • very sensitive teeth • limited time to complete their dental care • complex dental problems • hate needles and shots!

• hate the noises, smells and tastes associated with dental care • are afraid or embarrassed about their teeth • just want to be comfortable during their dental procedure.

Call our office TODAY for a Complimentary Consultation to see if you are good candidate for Sedation and Sleep Dentistry!

CALL US TODAY AT 219-227-5084 OR 219-227-4059 to request our consumers guide on Sedation and Sleep dentistry and get all the facts before you choose a provider for your sedation care.

We offer a complimentary Second Opinion visit regarding Sedation care or any other dental care you may need.

Dr. Ivan Atcha • featured on Fox , CNN and Yahoo! News

For more information go to www.SleepDentistIndiana.com and www.DyerFamilyDentistry.com to see what other patients are saying about us!

32

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

Mrs. Dornberg’s

Basil Cheese

A

scrumptious blend of blue and cream cheeses with basil pesto and sun-dried tomatoes.

A perfect holiday appetizer with its red and green colors.

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 8 ounces blue cheese, room temperature ½ cup basil pesto, either homemade or purchased ¼ cup slivered sun-dried tomatoes, dry pack not in oil Chopped parsley for garnish Combine the cream and blue cheeses in a bowl. Mix by hand or with an electric mixer until smooth. Set aside.

Spread

Line a 16 ounce glass bowl (preferable with sloped sides) with plastic wrap, leaving extra wrap hanging over the sides.

Spread one third of the cheese mixture evenly in the bottom of the bowl. Follow with half of the pesto and half of the sun-dried tomatoes. Repeat the cheese, pesto and tomato layers. Finish with the remaining third of the cheese mixture. Cover with the overhanging plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

To serve, uncover the bowl, invert onto a serving platter, lift off glass bowl and remove plastic wrap. Garnish with extra slivers of sun-dried tomatoes and chopped parsley.

Serve with crackers and toasted bread rounds.

Mrs. Dornberg’s 24 Carrot Cuisine is located at 2130 45th Street in Highland. Call 219-922-4534.

AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE HONEYBAKED HAM COMPANY: HIGHLAND - 2004 45th St. (Porte De Leau Plaza) • (219) 924-1177 MERRILLVILLE - 1665 East 80th Ave. (Next to Pier 1 Imports) • (219) 795-1555 *Per serving is based on the national average price of an 8.5 lb. Half Ham with the $7 coupon. ©2009 The HoneyBaked Ham Co. All rights reserved.

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

33

Patty Bird

The Little Mermaid recently performed at the Theater at the Center in Munster.

The cast poses with children from North Newton High School Spartan Tots program.

Giving

B

y its very nature, the arts, whether visual or performing, give back to the community by enriching the quality of life of those who enjoy it. One of the venues in our region is the Theater at the Center. Marketing Coordinator at the theatre, Patty Spillers believes in the cultural benefit of the arts in the community. “One of the things that is really important is that at Theater at the Center, we make live theater available for

34

Arts

Through the

By Heather Augustyn : Times Correspondent

all audiences. It gives people a creative outlet and joins families together. It helps us to generate revenue to give back to the community,” says Spillers.

But because the Theater at the Center is a non-profit organization, they are also committed to helping those in the community that may otherwise have no access to great theater programming.

Spillers says, “So when we have seats available, we give out tickets for free.

In 2009 we donated $35,000 worth of tickets to other charitable and non-profit organizations. In addition, we invite service organizations to attend when seats are available. For our production of Alice in Wonderland we invited LARC, a group

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

that serves people with developmental disabilities, to come and watch for free.

We have the schools come in to see a professional live performance based on literature with guides for curriculum incorporation that meet school standards as part of our Theatre for Young Audiences Program. We’re also hoping to start a new program next year for a corporate sponsorship program where a company can sponsor a group or a class to come in and enjoy a show as a field trip. The sponsorship will cover the cost of the ticket price as well as bus rental and fuel charges. It will give schools an opportunity that won’t affect the school funds and gives corporations a way to give back to

the community in a really cool way.”

The Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, also makes it part of its mission every day to give back to the community.

Brian Schafer, business and facility director at the Memorial Opera House says their theater and performances bring culture to the community. “The opera house provides a high level of quality entertainment for the region.

We provide different forms of family entertainment, such as our children’s theater programming, our Lunch Time Cabaret series—we have something for everyone and it’s all family entertainment.

Our children’s theatre programming continued on page 37

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

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generosity of our donors. To reach more children, we take our instructors and programs directly to them,” says Cain.

One of these programs is the Polar Express program that combines art and literature by creating an artwork based on the children’s book “The Polar Express.” Cain says, “We provided Polar Express initially to all first graders in Hammond and have expanded because it was so successful. This year we will serve 40 schools and over 5,000 first graders throughout Porter and Lake Counties. We are also creating a program

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called The Skin You Live In which is also based on a book. We created a program about being comfortable about who you are no matter the color of your skin, about acceptance, for second graders in Lake County,” he says.

“We have classes ongoing throughout the year; exhibits in Hammond, Munster, and Crown Point, and we do a children’s performance series attended by some 5,000 school kids throughout the year,” says Cain.

What is the impact of all of this programming? Cain says, “There are all kinds of studies that have been conducted showing that when kids are exposed to all kinds of arts at an early age they out perform their peers in SAT scores. Plus it improves their ability to stand up in front of a crowd with confidence, and it helps them Dawn Bell from the South Shore learn how to complete projects Arts Program shows second-graders with others. There are both behavioral at Central Elementary in Portage and academic benefits to the arts. The the Polar Express book and arts are part of the core curriculum. We illustrations before making their try to take the place of the things that own Polar Express hanging have been cut out.” ornaments.

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cultivates a large audience and prepares children for different life stages and gets them acquainted with live theatre,” says Schafer.

The Memorial Opera House will continue their outreach into the community with new initiatives next year, says Schafer. “We’re starting to develop a program to go into the schools that will come out in spring of 2010. We’ll be working with the schools and bringing schools to us to see shows and provide different learning experiences where we tap into teachers’ lesson plans,” he says.

John M. Cain, executive director of South Shore Arts, says their community outreach directly affects arts groups’ bottom line, and enriches the community of the lives they touch. “We grant money that has been allocated by general assembly, anywhere from $150,000 to $175,000 a year. We offer this money to non-profit organizations that provide arts programming to their clients. But more directly, South Shore Arts and the Northwest Indiana Symphony provide educational hope for over 30,000 school children each year for free, thanks to the

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Churches

Shells to Bells is a program sponsored by The First Christian Church in Valparaiso which turns artillery shells to Christmas Bells to help benefit those in need.

GiveLocally Back and Globally

By Heather Augustyn : Times Correspondent

B

Photos Provided

y their very nature, churches help the communities of their parishioners, the regions in which they are located, and the world. Here in Northwest Indiana, our regional churches are involved in charitable work every day. The following are just a small sampling of the ways that our churches contribute to our region.

Reverend Victoria Ubben of First Christian Church in Valparaiso says their parishioners make it part of their daily lives to give back to the region and the world. “First Christ Church in is very mission oriented, reaching out right here in our community as well as beyond. We really do focus right here in Northwest Indiana and we try to keep as much of our dollars right here,” says Ubben.

“Recently in our church family we had a coat drive where people in our church family all cleaned out [their] closets and we brought in our winter coats we weren’t going to use this year and gave them to the Spring Valley Shelter right

(Left) Members from First Christian Church joined other churches to raise money to help feed the needy with its Crop Walk. (Bottom) Pictured (l to r) is George Armstrong, representative of the Foods Resource Bank, with Reverend Victoria Ubben and Reverend Dave Kovalow-St. John of the First Christian Church in Valparaiso. The church reverends are presenting a check for $10,000 to the Foods Resource Bank which will help farm and feed people in the world’s poorest nations.

here in Valparaiso. We had boxes and boxes of coats given away to our local homeless people,” she says.

Another project includes one based on the Bible, says Ubben. “In the Old Testament there is a message that the ancient Hebrew farmers leave 10 percent of their crop untilled and the needy would come into the fields to pick up the remaining 10 percent. From that idea we have

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

the Crop Walk in Valparaiso which is an inter-faith project where we get pledges and walk a route through Valparaiso and that money goes to feed the needy in our community.”

“Probably our biggest local mission is the Christian Food Pantry. We started it

and other churches have joined in. During the month of October 2009, 269 families were served and that translates into 643 continued on page 42

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

41

continued from page 41

hungry people. That’s an average of 33 families each day that we fed. In addition, in the month of November, we took up collections of food items to be donated to the same needy families for Thanksgiving meals, turkeys, monetary donations, and we filled baskets for our pantry clients. We are always collecting food for the Christian Food Pantry and we always have a need,” says Ubben.

In addition, the church is committed to giving back globally. Our church supports a feeding program called Foods Resource Bank and this is the 11th year we’ve supported it. It is a world-wide group administered by non-governmental agencies. We have some local farmers in Porter County, and each year they donate a small acreage of their farm, harvest it and process the grain, sell it and donate that money to Foods Resource Bank which is a big agency that teaches people how to farm in the world’s poorest of nations. There are programs in 32 countries that benefit from this so that 490,000 people can feed their families and bolster their nation,” Ubben says.

A

nother community organization, called the Foundations of East Chicago, works with Catholic Charities to bring

42

It was an effort to reach out to people who didn’t have the money for their own Thanksgiving dinner or couldn’t make their own because of physical limitations or those who had nowhere to go.

Dr. Corlin Stein : Absolute Chiropractic

energy assistance to people in the region.

Foundations of East Chicago Executive Director Russell Taylor explains, “It started in 2002 with our president at that time, Vincent McCutcheon, who found it was a dehumanizing process for people who had trouble paying heating bills with getting assistance. NIPSCO had a moratorium on shutting off heat during the winter months, but after that, people were in jeopardy of getting it shut off. We called ministers in the region and Catholic Charities who provided help and funding.

Working with Salvation Army as a one-

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

”

stop place for help, we found we could very quickly begin helping people. Baptist churches began working with the Catholic churches to help people out and we had a collaboration of churches. The program is now run entirely through Catholic Charities and NIPSCO has embraced it.

We funded it this year with $50,000 and NIPSCO matched it with $50,000. We’ve had some wonderful things happening here with collaboration work in the community.”

Another collaborative effort involves

Far left: Desert table decorated by Girl Scouts; near left: Local deserts donated by the public and Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church; top middle (pictured left to right): Colleen Winiecki, Becca Hittle and Tom McAdams assist in the kitchen. Above (left to right): Jim Winiecki, Kimm Maznaritz, Nancy Winiecki and Matt Varner help with the turkey carving. regional Chiropractor Corlin Stein and other members of a local church. “There was a group of 10 of us from Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in St. John that attend the Indiana Dunes Great Banquet & Awakening. We meet on a regular basis and we decided we wanted to do something for the community and decided to do a Thanksgiving Day Dinner.

We chose Cedar Lake and through fundraising were able to make a meal possible. Tom McAdams from the Great Oaks Banquet Hall in Cedar Lake offered to let us use his location and cook the food for us and that’s how it all got started. It was an effort to reach out to people who didn’t have the money for their own Thanksgiving dinner or couldn’t make their own because of physical limitations or those who had nowhere to go. We had over 80 people and we had other food prepared and donated to Campagna Academy in Schererville and St. Jude’s Women Shelter, so that was another 100 people who got food. We had over 70 volunteers who came to help that day. We’re planning on doing it again next Thanksgiving,” says Stein.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

BROWN TIRE of VALPARAISO A FULL SERVICE AUTO CENTER SERVING PORTER COUNTY SINCE 1958

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2404 N. Calumet Ave. • Valparaiso • 219-462-3109 • www.browntire.com A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

Hol id ay Local Things to Do; Places to Go HOLIDAY EVENTS

Birthday parties are welcome and seasonal passes will be honored at the park.

ONGOING Santa Claus in Crown Point, Sat noon-4pm, Lower Level Courthouse Shops, Crown Point. 219.663.1800. crownpointguide.com. Santa Claus will arrive in town on Nov 27 in a Crown Point fire truck and will bring Mrs. Claus and Elie the Elf with him. Children can share their Christmas wishes and take pictures with Santa every Saturday from Thanksgiving through Christmas as well as the Sunday before the holiday.

DEC 16 Holiday Cookie Decorating, 4:30-5:30pm, Community Park Social Center, 8751 Lions Club Dr, Munster. 219.836.PARK. munster.org. Children ages 6 to 10 can decorate a dozen sugar cookies in the shape of candy canes, Christmas trees, snowflakes and more with icing and candies. All supplies will be provided for a registration fee that can be paid up until Dec 11.

DEC 16 Senior Citizens Only Holiday Party, noon-3pm, Hammond Civic Center, 5825 S Sohl Ave, Hammond. gohammond.com.

For area seniors aged 55 years and older, this party features a live band, dancing, snacks, nonalcoholic beverages and door prizes. Dec 2: Deadline to preregister and pay the $12 ticket price at the Hammond Civic Center Business Office, Mon-Fri 8am-6:45pm.

THROUGH DEC 25 Christmas Fest, Hensler Nursery, 5715 N 750 E, Hamlet.

574.867.4192. henslernurseryindiana.com.

Looking for the perfect place to pick out a Christmas tree or wreath? A wide variety of trees are offered at this nursery while swags and new snowflake greens are also available.

Santa will be leading horse wagon rides with real reindeer on the weekends and Christmas gifts are always available in the barn. Once a tree is purchased from this nursery, it can be decorated and entered into Hensler’s 2009 Tree Decorating Contest.

DEC 17 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, 6:30-7:30pm, Centennial Park Clubhouse, 9701 Calumet Ave, Munster. munster.org.

Families can enjoy milk and cookies while listening to a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas around the fireplace. There is also a festive candy cane hunt for the children.

THROUGH FEB 28 Ice Skating at Deep River Waterpark, Thus-Suns, Deep River Waterpark, 9001 E US Hwy 30, Crown Point.

219.947.7850. lakecountyparks.com. For the first time ever, Deep River Waterpark is open for ice skating. Food stands, heated bathrooms along with seasonal lighting are available.

Jon Luke | The Times

THROUGH JAN 4 Washington Park Festival of Lights, dusk-dawn, Washington Park, 6 on the Lake, Michigan City.

219.873.1506. michigancityparks.com. More than 5 million Christmas lights will be display for the 19th straight year in the largest free drive-through event in the Midwest. The American Bus Association has named this one of the top 100 events in North America for the past two years.

Break out the skates and head to Deep River Waterpark. It’s 14,500 square foot ice rink makes for a great place for some family holiday fun.

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DEC 19 Yuletide Open House, 11am-1pm, downtown Lowell. 219.696.6487. shoplowellindiana.com. Experience a Christmas past as Lowell’s historic downtown shopping and dining district features a holiday shopping extravaganza in an old fashioned setting. Find antique shops, jewelry, modern clothing, themed restaurants and more in the vintage turn of the last century buildings. Many locations offer free gift wrapping and Frosty the Snowman will make an appearance to hand out candy canes. continued on page 46

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

45

continued from page 45 DEC 31 9th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration, 7pm-2am, Halls of St. George, 905 E Joliet St, Schererville. 219.865.9411.

Celebrate the coming of the new year with dancing, music by Northwest Indiana’s premiere show band, Together, a five-hour open bar for those 21 years and older, a gourmet-style dinner, complimentary party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and breakfast afterward.

Photo Provided

DEC 31 Grande Finale, 5pm-1am, downtown Crown Point. Various family fun takes place around the downtown square, including a magic show, pizza party and a dance party with Sponge Bob Square Pants. There will be jazz music for adults and more. The night will conclude the city’s 175th anniversary when a time capsule will be closed and buried.

THROUGH JAN 10 A Christmas Story Comes Home, South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, 7770 Corinne Dr, Hammond. 219.989.7979. achristmasstorycomeshome.com. Six animated displays depicting scenes from A Christmas Story will be showcased at the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. The scenes, which debuted in the windows of Macy’s in New York City, feature some of the beloved characters and locations of the movie.

In addition to viewing the displays, kids can slide to the ground just like Ralphie does.

The Christmas Schooner, is a family-friendly musical and continues through this Sunday, December 20 at the Theatre at the Center in Munster.

DEC 31 New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Main Square Park, Highland. highlandparks. org. Bring the family to enjoy the fireworks display. Noisemakers will be distributed and refreshments will be served.

DEC 31 New Year’s Eve Party, 6:30pm, Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso. 219.464.0133. This event features dinner, an open bar and dancing.

Tickets are $50.

DEC 31 New Year’s Eve in Ireland, 6pm, McGinnis Pub, 227 W 7th St, Michigan City.

219.872.8200. mcginnispub.com. Get the party started early at this unique celebration, which offers the chance to observe the new year when the Irish do, with traditional music and cuisine.

JAN 6 Twelfth Night, 6:30pm, 117th & Center Sts, Whiting. This beautiful tradition is filled with song, story and the Christmas tree bonfire as residents are encouraged to start the year out right. The King or Queen of Whiting will be crowned and the winner of the Whiting City Flower Contest will be announced.

PERFORMANCES, EXHIBITS AND ARTS THROUGH DEC 20 The Christmas Schooner, The Theatre at the Center, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3255. theatreatthecenter.com. Based on the true story of a Michigan shipping captain who braves the deadly winter weather to bring Christmas trees to homesick German American families in turn-of-the-century Chicago, The Christmas Schooner is a truly original holiday musical.

DEC. 18-20 Scrooge, The Musical, The Memorial Opera House, 104 E Indiana Ave, Valparaiso. 219.548.9137. memorialoperahouse.com. This performance tells the age-old tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visit from three ghosts on Christmas Eve, but songs such as “I Hate Christmas” and “Make the Most of This World” put a festive twist on tradition.

DEC 31 Damon Williams’s New Year’s Eve Comedy Bash, 8pm, Star Plaza Theatre, I-65 & US 30, Merrillville. 219.769.6600. starplazatheatre.com. For the 11th-straight year, Damon Williams comes to the Star Plaza Theatre to present his Comedy Bash and ring in the New Year. Williams is considered to be one of the elite and upcoming comedians on the comedy circuit.

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A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

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A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

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“Very Funny Magic” show by Dennis DeBondt, featuring his lightning quick wit, humor and magical talents Preferred Featuring Piano Music by Walter Lisak The William J. Bachman Gallery will be open for viewing “The Elvis Tribute Show: A Diamond Jubiliee”

Tickets must be purchased in advance at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts or by phone, --.

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

Medical students on the IU Northwest campus conduct educational sessions on nutrition and first aid for the benefit of children and workshops for high school students who aspire to attend medical school. They also participate in the annual IU Northwest Health Fair, which is open to the community. Medical student Marissa Vawter of the IU School of Medicine – Northwest demonstrates how to clean a wound to Cub Scouts in Pack 204.

Photo Provided

Local University and College Students

by Learn Giving

E

ach regional university or college is virtually a small community in and of itself. Within this community, students, teachers, faculty, and the school as a whole, work to help the people of the

By Heather Augustyn : Times Correspondent

region in which they are located, as well as take on more global missions that are of importance to groups and individuals.

At Indiana University Northwest (IUN) in Gary, the very mission of the university is focused upon giving back to the community. Christopher Sheid of IUN’s Office of Marketing and Communications says, “We consider service to the community as being a significant element of our mission at IUN, and in fact in

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

our mission statement says ‘IUN is committed to the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves.’ Our faculty and students take that very seriously.”

One of the ways that IUN adopts this mission is through service learning. “Our students learn a great deal by serving others and by doing, and that prepares them for what they are going to do after graduation. At the same time it benefits people and the community and so it really

is a win-win situation. This is a big part of our educational philosophy here and our faculty feels it adds immeasurably to the students’ learning experience,” says Sheid.

IUN also has incorporated this philosophy of giving into the very programs it offers. “We have the only master of social work program in Northwest Indiana, and there is a lot of continued on page 50

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

49

continued from page 49

Photo Provided

service learning that goes on in that program. The students in this program have to do quite a few internship hours in the community.

In our business school, our students participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) under the direction of faculty and representatives from the IRS. Here the students help prepare tax returns for people free of charge. It’s nice for people in the community to have that option, and our students learn a tremendous amount from it. Our science faculty does local research on Lake Michigan water contamination, looking for quicker ways to identify E. coli in order to close the beach sooner for public safety, and we have faculty working with the DNR to look at erosion issues. It’s part of why we’re here. We feel like we’re benefiting our students and the community,” he says.

In addition, students at IUN give back in their own ways. Sheid says, “We have a number of groups that do community clean ups. Last November we had our men’s’ basketball team devote some time to flood clean up. They

Associate Professor of Chemistry Julie Peller, Ph.D., and student Joe Marciniak, sample water in Porter County as part of a study on lake water contamination in Lake Michigan.

50

Purdue North Central Students give back in a multitude of ways, including help at pre-schools, through blood drives, and volunteering throughout the community. Purdue North Central has established the Center for Service Learning and Leadership to connect to community agencies. put on the white suits and masks and went into a home to get the homeowner on the road to recovery. Some of the events that we have around campus, like sporting events and cultural events are free of charge but we ask participants to bring a food item or an unused winter coat. Our students and faculty understand the need for commitment to the community. We’re very proud.”

A

t Purdue University North Central in Valparaiso (PNC), Laura Weaver, service learning coordinator says their students, faculty, and staff also understand the need to give back. “Not only does PNC faculty and students find it important to volunteer, we have a philosophy around service learning, so we integrate volunteerism and philanthropy with students’ coursework, so when they take a job it continues and they give back to Northwest Indiana.

Weaver says there are a number of ways this philosophy, which is part of the PNC mission, is brought about, through service learning courses, including Professor Mark Smith’s Computer & Information Technology course which partners with the Porter County Salvation

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

Army in the development of new computer system for the organization’s ever-popular “Angel Tree” program, as well as Professor Carrie Higgins’ Small Group Communication’s class which partners with CCA-Spring Valley Shelter to promote the Shelters Annual 5K and help raise awareness around poverty and homelessness.

In addition, PNC involves their students, faculty, staff, and administrators in volunteer activities such as PNC’s studentathletes involvement in ringing the bell for Salvation Army, helping Opportunity Enterprises in Valparaiso raise money for challenged people, assisting in the Chesterton Tornado clean-up, assisting local holiday functions for needy families, reading to grade school students and local YMCA’s, free athletic camps and clinics in the surrounding community, assisting in numerous activities in the PNC community and raising money for catastrophic events, families and more.

Organizations around campus, and the university as a whole, also get involved in not-for-profits. PNC recently teamed up with the United Way for its Day of Caring on August 28, 2009 where students, faculty and staff volunteered with various community agencies throughout Porter

and LaPorte Counties to give back to their communities. The PNC Women’s Association holds an annual “Just 4 Kids Food Drive” during the month of October in a campus-wide effort to collect food items that are most popular with our youngest of citizens. Items collected are then distributed to food pantries throughout the area in an effort to provide a bit of comfort to those in need. In recent years donations have averaged above 2,000 items collected and have supported three area food pantries.

To support PNC’s faculty, staff and students in their efforts to give back to the community, PNC has established the Center for Service Learning & Leadership, which partners with the Office of Student Activities and other campus departments to connect those wishing to give back with community agencies in need. The Center was established in May 2008 with a mission of providing access to quality leadership and service engagement opportunities to all PNC students in accordance with their interest, skills, abilities and needs. In addition, the Center also provides support to those faculty wishing to incorporate servicer learning activities into their courses as a way to enhance student continued on page 53

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

development with a goal of preparing students as future leaders within their professions and within their communities.

A

Photos Provided

t Valparaiso University (VU), Dustin Wunderlich, senior director of public relations says that the school was founded upon the principles of helping the community.

“VU throughout its history has prepared students to serve and lead in their communities. It’s really part of our mission. Civic engagement is essential to the success of the community. Last year our students devoted more than 45,500 hours to community service.

Students also raised more than $127,000 for philanthropic causes. This helps address community needs in a number of ways. The service that students do in the community is really diverse, ranging from involvement in Rebuilding Together Valparaiso; mentoring and tutoring children; our student athletes are involved in the I Need A Hug program and each year they collect thousands of stuffed animals; we have the Community Research and Service Center that provides research to governmental bodies, organizations, schools, assessing such things as drug use in the community and surveying Valparaiso residents about flood damage, gathering information that officials can then use to help develop solutions to problems. It’s important to identify problems to develop strategies,” says Wunderlich.

One of the many student organizations on VU’s campus that

Right: Valparaiso University students prepared 107,352 meals for starving children in Northwest Indiana and abroad at the VU Day of Caring in September.

Below: Student volunteers participated in Rebuilding Together—Valparaiso’s annual work day, last April.

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

engages in giving back is the VU chapter of Habitat for Humanity. John Stern, past president of the organization and a senior social work major, says the group strives to help others, even when busy students have little time or money to give. The result is homes for Julie Sipek and Mike Roesel, members of the Purdue those in need, Calumet Honors Program, helped sponsor a Toys for Tots including their drive on campus to help give back to the community. most recent project on as an obligation or a requirement. They Morgan Street. “The house that’s being just do their part. Almost every volunteer worked on, starting August 2008, will be agency in the community has had some complete before Christmas. We had to connection with VU or a VU student.” deal with a complicated plan, working with the city, and difficult weather, so t Purdue University there were challenges. But another family Calumet in Hammond, will have a better place to live and if you Gloria Roldan-Schieb, establish this family well, it will impact director of campus life, the rest of their life and they’ll impact says their students are other lives. We don’t see and think also committed to the philosophy of about this aspect, but I’m convinced it giving back. “Our student organizations, happens. Their children will be better off the majority of them, give back to the and it will affect their learning community, especially during this time of environment. It’s just a house, great economic need, from Toys for Tots, but there’s so much more than food drives, clothing drives, women’s that,” says Stern. shelters, and it’s part of their mission, Other campus giving at “Says Roldan-Schieb.

VU includes Prof. Martin On the horizon at Purdue University Buinicki’s Traditions of Giving Calumet is The Campaign for Students, and Serving in American Life an end-of-the-year drive focused on class which utilizes grant increased private support for student money to donate to groups scholarships at a time when the need is around the community, especially pronounced. “Many Purdue and a plethora of other Calumet students burn the candle at groups for individual both ends, working an extraordinary involvement. Angie number of hours at jobs to support their Zemke, assistant education,” Purdue Calumet Chancellor director of student Howard Cohen said. “Research shows activities and that a vibrant scholarship program that volunteer programs at reduces work hours improves academic VU says, “Our students performance.” Vice Chancellor for come in here with the drive Advancement Daniel Hendricks said, to help because they did “Many individuals direct end of the year charitable work in high gifts to philanthropic causes. Through this school or their parents did campaign, we want to draw attention to it, and it’s innate in our continued on page 54 students. They don’t see it Photo Provided

continued from page 50

A

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

n addition to service learning at Valparaiso’s Ivy Tech, their student organizations are involved in a variety of charitable events throughout the region at their Gary, Valparaiso, and Michigan City campuses.

Vice Chancellor and Dean Dee Haklin, says, “We have student government associations at our different campuses that do such things as collecting food for baskets for needy families, collecting for the animal shelter, volunteering at soup kitchens, an angel tree for the Family and Youth Services Bureau, and conducting food drives for the Salvation Army and a coat drive for the Spring Valley Shelter. The Valparaiso campus has sociology classes that collect for Gabriel’s Horn, The Caring Place, and Starke County Services. The Educational Talent Search at our Gary campus is doing a holiday toy drive, and the Early Childhood Education Club has done a hat and glove drive and collected books for Edgewater Alpha Center. Our Gary Business Club collected for troops overseas and did a holiday literature extravaganza where they collecting books. Our Physical Therapy Assistance Club does a walk-a-thon and bowl-athon for Special Olympics. Kappa Beta Delta, an honorary fraternity for business students collected dictionaries for third graders all over the region. We’ve had four very successful blood drives for Red Cross in combination with our nursing clubs. In Michigan City the Human Services club adopted a family for the holidays.”

Left: Residents of Purdue Calumet’s University Village student housing facility hold a clothing drive for the needy.

Above: PUC students also volunteer regularly at local soup kitchens.

Across all Ivy Tech campuses in the region, Haklin says they are involved in similar events. “We do Daffodil Days in the spring where all money goes to cancer research. We also get involved in Making Strides for Breast Cancer on each campus and do a Wii bowling tournament where the money goes to the Juvenile Diabetes Association. Recently, a family we knew had lost their home and possessions in a fire so we did a regional collection for clothing and furniture for that family.”

CASEY RIFFE | THE TIMES

ce I rvi A Se TH w G Ne LIN AGE A SS HE MA

Ivy Tech students can be seen in all walks of charity events throughout The Region, including at the Relay for Life at the Porter County Fairgrounds and Expo Center.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

Feeding and Clothing Those in

Need

I

By Heather Augustyn : Times Correspondent

ndiana statistics show there are more than 100,000 people living 125 percent under poverty in Lake and Porter Counties. The Cooperative Extension Service research shows that 34 to 43 percent of those living in poverty in Lake and Porter Counties are children.

With the recent decline in economic conditions, these statistic unfortunately are on the rise, making it imperative that groups, companies, and individuals come to the aid of those in need with food and clothing.

John and Wendy Gates, owners of Culver’s in Valparaiso and Schererville, say that giving is also part of their company’s mission. Wendy Gates says one program involves selling $28 worth of coupons for $5. “The proceeds go to research for cancer in honor of an employee we lost to cancer and the Spring Valley Homeless Shelter. We’ve done a lot with Spring

Valley over the years, such as a nonperishable food drive with them and The Hilltop House. We have a bunch of great organizations, like the Red Cross, police department, firefighters, schools, and this is our second year we did a fundraiser for the 4H during dairy month. We partner a lot with the schools and the Read a Book Program and we’ve done a Juvenile Diabetes fundraiser every year for the past seven years. We do a charity of the month program where we partner with a different group every month and link in a casual day Friday t-shirt where the right to wear it comes from a donation, and we put a donation can on the counter.

I love being able to do this kind of stuff and giving back to the community you live in and I love that part of my job,” says Gates.

One of the companies that has been a beacon of hope in the plight of the impoverished is regional grocer Strack & Van Til. Joe Kolavo, vice president of perishable operations at Strack & Van Til and president of the Food Bank of

A Special Publication of The Times Media Company

Northwest Indiana says it is the collaboration of efforts that truly make the difference in the lives of many.

“We work a lot with the Salvation Army and we participate with their Red Kettle Campaign. At the Salvation Army kick off dinner they said our store locations raised over one quarter of their funds. That’s over a quarter of a million dollars is outside of our building in quarters and dimes and nickels. It’s a great cause and they do a lot of great things,” Kolavo says.

Culver’s employees display the calendar packed with $28 of coupons they are selling with all proceeds going to charity.

“All of Strack & Van Til’s officers sit on some not-for-profit board, so we all take a role in a lot of these not-for-profits in continued on page 58

Holiday : A Region of Giving

[ December 16, 2009 ]

57

A

58

Holiday : A Region of Giving [ December 16, 2009 ]

refurnish the home. We do coat drives, have youth activities, camping programs, and disaster services. This past August we helped in Chesterton with the tornado victims, and last year during the flood we had the canteen open for food. We have Thanksgiving Day meals and served over 200 this year. We have meals during various times of the year for people to come in. If people come in for food or shelter we assist. We try to help people become part of the community and encourage them and help them know they’re not alone and they have support,” Welch says.

W

hen it comes to helping provide food, clothing, even blood during times of emergency, the American Red Cross has been working to help the needs of the community for decades. The American Red Cross of Northwest Indiana CEO Gordon Johnson says their reach is so great, it’s hard to even define. “That’s part of the difficulty we encounter when we describing what we do because we do so many things.

The American Red Cross is like no other organization because every household in America has benefitted in some way from our services. We’re one of over 700 local chapters of the American Red Cross and were founded in 1917, so we’ve

been here for 92 years, that’s a long time.

Often times I think we’re one of the best kept secrets of the area. We do disaster or emergency service, health and safety service, biomedical service, service to armed forces, and international services.

So the thing that makes us unique is we make a difference in your neighborhood, region, across the nation, and around the world. We rely on time, talent, money and blood to do our work. 95% of our services are delivered by highly trained volunteers, so we are the American people,” says Johnson.

“Things are very difficult right now for us, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t continuing to provide the services we do seven days a week, 365 days a year.

This facility in Merrillville is in operation non-stop. In Lake, Jasper, and Newton Counties we’ve had eight major floods and one major tornado in past three years, and three turned into nationallydeclared disasters. The flooding we had affected 19,000 households in 2008.

Our response was only made possible through local donations, and from across the country through our national-disaster relief fund. When a disaster hits that’s big enough that a local chapter can handle by itself, a ripple goes out and we pull people from all around the nation, vehicles, equipment, supplies, people, to continued on page 60 Robert Wray | The Times

these areas and do what we can to participate, giving money and time,.

With the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, I’ve been president for over five years and worked for them for over nine. We do a program in our stores call Check Out Hunger and Dave Wilkinson, our president, started the whole campaign. It’s a voucher that the cashiers ask our customers if they would like to purchase to participate and it’s our largest fundraising campaign that we run from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Other retailers A worker transports food at the Northwest have jumped on board and Indiana Food Bank. The non-profit organizaparticipated through the tion has donated more than 3 million pounds years,” Kolavo says. of food to food pantries this year.

“We have six major fundraising events through the course of the year. I organize a golf nother crucial organization, outing which cleared over $30,000, for the the Salvation Army, comes Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, which to the rescue of those in serves between 90 and 100 food pantries need in our region with a throughout Northwest Indiana. We do a variety of services. Salvation 5K walk for hunger that we sponsor and Army Porter County Major John Welch all proceeds go to the food bank. We like says, “We have an increase of children to participate in not-for-profit organizations for receiving toys this year. Last year in the cities and towns we have stores in we gave to over 1,151 children and this because the same folks relying on these year it’s already over 1,200. Families organizations are our customers and we that need help for Christmas last want to give back,” he says. year numbered 530 and this year it’s Angie Williams, executive director of more than that and we’re still taking the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana says applications. We usually give a food Strack & Van Til’s commitment to their certificate or food box and children get cause is essential, as is the commitment three to five toys and stocking stuffers. of the community. “Strack & Van Til has We visit nursing homes and give gifts been a huge advocate and supporter of to the shut-ins.” the Food Bank, bringing other companies Other programs throughout the on board. They’re phenomenal. We year include “a program called Stuff typically raise between $1 and 1.5 million the Bus in the fall to help kids who each year through corporate donors like need school supplies, and we do a Strack & Van Til, individuals in community, block party where a hair stylist trim special events, and local foundation grants. The food bank is a unique nonprofit children’s hair for free. We had a supper for them and gave them their because we’re not a food pantry, but we supplies. Also, Monday through Friday provide food to food pantries in Porter and we’re open to serve people through Lake Counties. We provided 2.8 million our food pantry and we have utility, pounds of food in 2008 and this year just rent, and mortgage assistance, fuel and over 3 million pounds. We serve about 200,000 households a year. We’ve been in transportation assistance, and medical assistance. If there’s been a fire we help existence 27 years,” says Williams.

Robert Wray | The Times

continued from page 57

Brittany Crowe encourages shoppers at Strack & Van Til to donate a dollar to the Northwest Indiana Food Bank. The store’s Check Out Hunger drive continues through Christmas at all Strack and Van Til stores.

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Holiday : A Region of Giving

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59

34% to 43% of those living in poverty in Lake and Porter Counties are children.

“With our health and safety services, we teach life preparedness training to people, care giving, HIV aids education, first aid, and aquatics, to help people meet their professional qualifications. We trained over 23,000 last year in our aquatics program.

Think about it, where do kids learn to swim? Pretty much through American Red Cross programs. We train life guards on the lake front and in the high school and community pools. We trained 571 lifeguards last year,” says Johnson.

“For our biomedical services, we collect, test and supply blood across nations. We are the single largest blood supplier in the nation. Just over 40% of the nations’ blood supply comes from us. We’re committed to the highest quality service and each year provide 9 million donated blood products.

In Lake, Jasper, and Newton Counties,” he says.

Johnson adds, “We do services to armed forces, assisting forces and their family, have world-wide around the clock access to comfort and support. Since 1917 we’ve been helping with emergency communications and the military relies on us to provide those communications throughout the world. We have American Red Cross stations at all the military bases in the U.S., worldwide. We can reach people no matter where they are or what they’re doing. It’s incredible and so few people know about it. We support the sick and wounded in all the military hospitals, and we reach out to the National Guard

and National Reserve who are coping with the stress of having a lovedone deployed.

We represent veterans and their families before the Veterans Board of Appeals in the U.S. Here in our office we handle two to three emergency calls a day and Donna Gonzalez gives socks to Donnie Demo two to three whose family was staying at the make-shift shelter requests for military set up by the American Red Cross in September financial assistance 2008. The Demo family was one of more than a week. We also 19,000 Northwest Indiana households affected by do a redeployment the floods in 2008. presentation to people. We give But the need continues, says Johnson. people very real help. We reconnect “We need financial donations, donations people through tracing services for of time, and donations of blood. This people who are separated through armed economy is tough and we need people’s conflict.” In addition, over 3000 people help to do our job for the people of receive HIV aids education in Northwest Northwest Indiana.”

Indiana through the American Red Cross.

Jon Luke | The Times

continued from page 58 help us respond to a national disaster.

We provide emergency critical response, to provide food, clothing, shelter, mental health treatment, until the government programs are able to kick in. We jump into the breach and we respond before anyone else can until the troops arrive,” he says.

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