The Times 2014 Holiday Special Section. Vol 4

December 17, 2014

Local corporations give back

SOLDIERS KIDS GET IN THE GIVING SPIRIT

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2 | Holiday Five | December 17, 2014

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Holiday Five | December 17, 2014 | 3

AND WIN BIG ADVERTISING RESOURCE GUIDE

7e Fit Spa......................................... 42

Giovanni’s Restaurant..................... 35

One Love.......................................... 44

A Time to Remember When.......... 50

Gus Bock Ace Hardware................... 2

Peoples Bank ...................................17

Albert’s Diamond Jewelers............... 3

Harley Davidson of Michigan City and Valparaiso........ 25

Philips Ace Hardware...................... 17

Avalon Springs Health Campus...... 27 Brad’s Design and Jewelry.............. 34 Budget Blinds.................................. 50 Butler Winery...................................28 Centennial Park............................... 21 The Center for Implants, Sedation and Cosmetic Dentistry..... 7

Henry Company............................... 38 Heritage Lutheran........................... 39 Hodson Coins................................... 50 Higgins Overhead Door.................. 16 Illiana Heating and Cooling........... 48 Jak’s Warehouse.............................. 49

Chesterton Bicycle Shop..................29

Jeffrey’s Belush Jewelers................ 50

Ciao Bella Ristorante...................... 15

Kauffman Chiropractic................... 51

Community Hospital Fitness Pointe.................................. 18

The Key to Estate Treasures........... 43

Concept Art....................................... 9

Lucrezia.............................................29

Cover-Rite Carpeting...................... 50

Lucrezia Good to Go........................29

Crescent Jewelers............................ 39

Malinich Jewelers............................ 55

Crown Point Auto Repair and Restoration............................... 42

Mane Image.................................... 51 Main Source Bank........................... 51

Culver’s Restaurant......................... 38

McVey’s Restaurant......................... 51

Eco Chic Boutique........................... 36

Merrillville Jewelers........................ 16

Edible Arrangements...................... 33

Dr. Jamila Miller.............................. 54

Engstrom Jewelers ..........................14

Nason’s Appliances.......................... 37

Flower Cart.......................................28

New Balance.................................... 24

Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness....................................... 32

NIPSCO............................................. 19

Kwik Dry.......................................... 51

Port Washington Tourism............... 52 Ross Hearing Center....................... 41 Senior Care Insurance..................... 20 Shelter Insurance..............................28 Skillets.............................................. 52 South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.................... 26 Sports and Collecti-balls................. 52 St. Anthony of Lansing................... 52 St. Margaret Mercy......................... 56 Success Schools................................ 35 Ted’s Feed Store.............................. 34 Teibel’s Restaurant.......................... 23 Theatre at the Center..................... 36 Third Coast Spice Cafe.....................29 Tiger Lily.......................................... 30 Tri Corp Wireless............................. 13 Valpo Car Wash............................... 45 Vision Point..................................... 11 Vyto’s Pharmacy.............................. 52 Welch’s Stop and Shop................... 45 Westforth Sports............................. 47

Fred Astaire of Valparaiso.............. 32

Northwest Indiana Commuter Train District................. 50

George’s Gyros Spot.........................28

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4 | HOLIDAY FIVE | December 17, 2014

Window World................................ 52

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print :: digital :: social Holiday Five | December 17, 2014 | 5

East Chicago Salvation Army Capt.

Daniel Paredes, from left, and Chris White, Times Media Co. publisher and Red Kettle Campaign chairman, with his family officially start the season by lighting the kettle at Strack & Van Til in Schererville.

DAMIAN RICO, THE TIMES

Salvation Army

Salvation Army:

Ringing

bell

THE

I IN NEED

Salvation Army red kettles and bell ringers are as synonymous with the Christmas holiday as candy canes and reindeer. We recognize that very familiar tiny bell ringing outside of stores throughout the community as volunteers stand next to the Salvation Army red kettle, collecting much needed donations.

But do you know the history of this tradition?

6 | HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014

HEATHER AUGUSTYN

t all began back in 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee became distraught after seeing so many individuals in San Francisco who were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken.

He only had one major hurdle to overcome—funding the project. As he pondered the issue, his thoughts drifted back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He remembered how at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large, iron kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” into which passers-by tossed a coin or two to help the poor. The next day Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street. Beside the

continued on page 8

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lower teeth. With this procedure, you can come as close to having a new set of permanent teeth as is currently possible. Those who replace their dentures with All-on-FourTM dental implants will never have to remove their replacement teeth again for cleaning because their new teeth can be cleaned and maintained just like a natural set of teeth. If you are looking at the possibility of wearing dentures but choose All-on-FourTM dental implants, you will never have to experience the crippling effects of loose dentures, being unable to eat the foods you enjoy, messy adhesives, removing teeth at night, the embarrassment of dentures slipping during speech or smiling or the bad breath associated with wearing dentures.

Here are some facts and trends to consider. More than 20 million people in the US are missing all of their natural teeth. More than 100 million people are missing from 11-15 teeth. Maintaining good, healthy teeth is certainly a worthy goal but keeping teeth for a lifetime is not always possible, despite the impressive achievement of preventative dentistry and the best efforts of our patients. Trauma, systemic disease, dental decay, periodontal disease, poor genetics, dental phobia, and normal wear and tear are just few of the reasons for tooth loss. Almost 80 percent of consumers with missing teeth are now aware of dental implants and realize the advantage of a permanent solution that mimics nature in function and fit and looks even better than nature may have originally provided. It is now possible to treat virtually every edentulous patient with aesthetic and functionally fixed no dentures solutions. We work with patients missing as few as one tooth or as many as all of their teeth.

According to Dr. Atcha “My patients appreciate being able to extend our relationship to a wide variety of treatment procedures instead of being referred out to a different office”, As a leader in the field of implant dentistry, Dr. Atcha has the experience that matters, the credentials that count. He has surgically placed and restored 1000s of dental implant procedures and has published several articles on dental implants in the field. “The key elements that allow patients to seek our office out are communication, relationship building & education” says Dr. Atcha. I like to personally build relationships with each and every patient and educate them about their options and spend time with them one on one by giving them a comprehensive snapshot of their clinical situation and discussing short-and long term objective. “Educated patients make the best healthcare decisions for themselves”, according to Atcha. With a hard-working and a dedicated staff that treats our patients with so much care and service, we have many people who want to be our patients. A huge part of my role in my practice is educating patients about tooth loss and its impact on quality of life, says Dr. Atcha. We have before and after pictures of hundreds of patients we have treated and success stories of our patients we can share with our new patients to build trust and confidence that there are others like them. Our happy patients are very open and would love to share their experience as to how satisfied they are with the care and the service we .y have provided them. They can also be found on www.youtube.com/drirfanatchadds

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Holiday Five | December 17, 2014 | 7

continued from page 6

JOHN LUKE, THE TIMES

Salvation Army

THE KEY TO SUCCEEDING WITH OUR GOAL IS COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THESE ARE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO STAND BEHIND OUR SHIELD EACH AND EVERY DAY. Lupe Valtierra pot, he placed a sign that read, “Keep the Pot Boiling.” He soon had the money to see that the needy people were properly fed at Christmas and the idea was replicated all over the nation, and the world, for years to come.

Here in our community, Christopher White, publisher of the Times of Northwest Indiana, serves as this year Red Kettle Campaign Chairman.

“The Salvation Army serves many who fall beneath the line, whose needs grow as resources fall. Our current economic conditions and decreased food stamp availability have placed more people in jeopardy as they fall beneath that line. In addition, programs for kids to be cut back as schools focus more on test scores and making the budget balance. The Salvation Army stands in the gap for many children in our community who would otherwise not have safe and secure place to develop academically, in the arts and physically.

And so, those who come to the Army for help will increase and so too will the need for resources to help so many more in need. The Salvation Army shield

8 | HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014

ABOVE: Ruth Stoner, 13, of Valparaiso, presents Porter County Salvation Army Major Jon Welch, far right, with a 40-pound turkey that she and her brothers and sister raised for 4-H as the Army kicked off its Red Kettle campaign for the 2014 season. With Ruth, from left, are siblings Carter, 10, Rachel, 13 and Nathan, 10 at right. LEFT: MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins serves as the chair of the Salvation Army Christmas Campaign. it must be reached or exceeded if the Army is to reach and serve the growing numbers of those in need. In essence, by contributing towards that goal, we are becoming that shield to those who look towards it for help and hope. That is my challenge this year. That is our challenge this year,” White says.

Lupe Valtierra, retired chancellor of Ivy Tech Gary Campus, is also involved in Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. He says, “The key to succeeding with our goal is community partners. These are people and companies in our community who stand behind our shield each and every CONTRIBUTED BY MICHIGAN day. We are so thankful that here in Lake CITY AREA SCHOOLS County we have partners like Strack and Van Til. This is a company that not only believes in quality service within represents help and hope to countless their stores but also believes in quality people in our community. The goal service to their community. Strack and for this year’s Red Kettle campaign is Van Til supports The Salvation Army $750,000. It is an ambitious goal but,

at Christmas time by placing a kettle outside each of their stores. Throughout the year they also support The Salvation Army both financially and with donated items. Community partners, such as this, make our community a better place to live.”

Strack and Van Til Store Manager Randy Gootee says that his company is proud to assist the needs of the Salvation Army. “Each season Strack and Van Til looks forward to hosting The Salvation Army at the front of our stores. The Salvation Army Shield helps us with kicking off the holiday season and is a holiday icon in our community. Strack and Van Til, from the very beginning, has been and will continue to be a store which is dedicated to giving back to the community. We appreciate our partnership with The Salvation Army and are willing to join them to be a shield in our community.”

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

Holiday Five | December 17, 2014 | 9

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Tri Kappa

Munster/Highland chapter members of Tri Kappa participate in the Fair Haven Agape Walk.

Tri Kappa

BACK all year round HEATHER AUGUSTYN

Kappa Kappa Kappa, Inc. commonly known as Tri Kappa, is a unique philanthropic organization existing only within the boundaries of the state of Indiana that was founded in 1901 with seven members. Today they have grown to include 146 Active Chapters and 114 Associate Chapters, totaling almost 9,000 actively participating members including those right here in Northwest Indiana.

10 | HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014

T

ri Kappa is comprised of volunteers who give their time to raise funds for a variety of local causes, and below are just a few of the ways they benefit the entire region.

Sue Reitan, officer of Crown Point’s Gamma Theta Chapter says, “Our biggest contribution is to educational causes. We have donated over $10,000 in scholarships over the past year to graduating seniors in Crown Point high schools. We also held our Kitchen Tour this fall and we do this every other year. We raised $19,700. We donated $3,000 of that to young chefs studying in culinary programs in our region and the rest went to St. Jude, Lake County Animal Shelter, and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. In the past we have

The Valparaiso chapter of Tri Kappa held a vision screening event at local preschools. Kappa Erin Urschel helps a student with his eye screening.

also funded the new library in Crown Point and the Lake County Courthouse Foundation through our Kitchen Tours. We also fund the Police K-9 Program and cultural programs such as programs at Crown Point High School and their extracurricular programs. If an individual case comes up in Crown Point where there’s a home fire or someone with cancer, we help out. We are very fortunate in our chapter since we have such strong volunteers. We have about 65 active members and we work the Lake County Fair every year and have been since the early 1940s.

We raise between $15,000 and $25,000

continued on page 12

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Holiday Five | December 17, 2014 | 11

Tri Kappa continued from page 10 every year and that money all goes back to Crown Point.”

Hobart’s Epsilon Zeta Chapter volunteers have also been busy throughout the year, and Laura Cafiero says they fundraise for various causes.

“Our primary fundraiser is an Annual Luncheon/Style Show, which was held in early November. 100 percent of monies raised are given to support a multitude of charitable, cultural, and educational programs in Hobart and throughout the state. This year we will give $7500 in scholarships including two Continuing Education Scholarships to women returning to school after a five year absence to complete their college degrees, two High School Academic Scholarships, one Outstanding Senior Scholarship, and one Fine Arts Scholarship. We also sponsor a spell bowl for fifth grade students from both public and private schools,” says Cafiero.

She continues, “Hobart Tri Kappa is a yearly sponsor at the YMCA Health Kids Day where we distribute free books to promote literacy.

In the early spring we will sponsor a Daddy-Daughter Dance for elementary school children. Since 2001, our largest charitable work is the Hobart Tri Kappa City Wide Giving Tree.

Our committee qualifies families needing assistance, finds over 100 sponsors, makes and distributes Angel Tree tags, and fundraises over $3,000 to purchase gifts. We provide Christmas gifts for over 500 children per year. Hobart Tri Kappa has also given thousands of dollars to community projects and organizations including the Hobart Education Foundation, Parents as Teachers, Hobart YMCA, Hobart Public Library Children’s Section, Meals on Wheels, Maria Reiner Center, Hobart Arts League, and Camp Riley, to name a few. Hobart Tri Kappa has a current membership of 12 dedicated and hard-working members.”

Margaret Havens, member of the Munster/Highland Tri Kappa chapter, also known as Epsilon Omicron, says they currently have 40 members who meet once a month and they are “involved in everything from soup to nuts!” She says, “October is a very busy month for our chapter as we donated baked 12 | HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014

WE HAVE ABOUT 65 ACTIVE MEMBERS AND WE WORK THE LAKE COUNTY FAIR EVERY YEAR AND HAVE BEEN SINCE THE EARLY 1940S. WE RAISE BETWEEN $15,000 AND $25,000 EVERY YEAR AND THAT MONEY ALL GOES BACK TO CROWN POINT.

Members of the Crown Point chapter of Tri Kappa work at the Lake County Fair.

Sue Reitan, officer of Crown Point’s Gamma Theta Chapter

ABOVE: Crown Point Tri Kappa members offer their services at a local food drive.

RIGHT: The Crown Point chapter of Tri Kappa held a food drive to help families in need. goods and helped out the Highland Fire Department with their annual Open House during National Fire Prevention week to help make people more aware and inform them of fire safety. We are finishing up our annual nut/candy fundraiser and we host our annual Boo Blast (a Halloween fun fair of sorts for children and families) a couple weeks before Halloween at the Lincoln Center in Highland. I’ve been in charge of

PHOTOS PROVIDED

the kitchen portion of this event for the last four years and have been successful in getting all the food and beverages donated from local businesses to help support our efforts.”

She continues, “We also just had a Trivia Night recently, and we will host our

Annual Tri Kappa Fashion Show on March 16, 2015 at the Halls of Saint George. We are bell ringing for the Salvation Army on Saturday, December 13th in front of Cabela’s in Hammond. We have monthly service projects, such as donating hats and gloves that we distribute at the local schools, soaps, lotions, and personal items that we donate to the Haven House or Sojourner Truth House. As one of our monthly service projects we brought food items and took up a “free will” collection from our members and matched it with our chapter funds to put together numerous food baskets to be distributed to needy families in Munster and Highland over the holidays.”

continued on page 14

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A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

Holiday Five | December 17, 2014 | 13

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Tri Kappa

The Valparaiso chapter of Tri Kappa held a vision screening event at local preschools. Kappa Cathy Kozelka helps a group of students to test their vision.

continued from page 12

*Jewelryy purchased between 11/01/14-12/24/14 at a our Valparaiso V location will have the purchase price refunded (excluding sales tax), if 4” of new snow falls in Valparaiso (as determined by Weather Command) in the 24 hours of 1/1/15.

Jewelry purchased between 11/01/14-12/24/14 at our LaPorte location will have the purchase price refunded (excluding sales tax), if 4” new snow falls in Laporte (as determined by Weather Command) in the 24 hours of 1/1/15.

Insured by Commerce and Industry Insurance Company. See store for futher details. *Purchase from Valparaiso location qualify in Valparaiso only. *Purchase from LaPorte location qualify for snowfall in LaPorte only.

14 | HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014

“We donate to the ‘Shop with a Cop’ and ‘Shop with a Fireman’ in Munster and Highland.

We go to the Highland Nursing Home and host a Bingo event, and also serve cookies and punch. We support and help out with the Girls on the Run event held each spring. A few of our members run Members of the Munster/Highland chapter of in this and also have Tri Kappa and their families participated in the daughters that run in this event. We cook and Salvation Army’s annual bell ringing campaign. serve at the Hammond arts. We try to volunteer with our time, homeless shelter, and supported team talents and funds, feeling we are making ‘Rock U’r Bra Off for the Avon Walk a difference in our communities,” says for Breast Cancer. We made lunches Havens. for the Fair Haven Agape Walk and we Carolyn Biesen of the Valparaiso donated to a Dance-a-thon benefit Iota Chapter says, “One of our most at Indiana University and we have a recent events was helping with the college member there. This helped build at ValPlaySo. We contributed a benefit the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. All of these fundraisers significant amount of funds and we also allow our chapter to support numerous organized meals for all of the volunteers organizations, give scholarships to high working there. Our members also volunteered doing the construction as school students in academics and the A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

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Holiday Parties Holida well, and we are making a large contribution to Central Park Plaza and we are coordinating efforts for a mosaic art wall that will be designed by local students.

We have been sponsoring Eva Mozes Kor, a holocaust survivor to speak to the middle school students for several years. She was just here in October. We also performed preschool vision testing in November.

We donate funds to Riley Children Hospital and make fleece blankets and sew pinafores for the infant patients twice a year. We also support theatre programs at Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin Middle Schools, and provide scholarships for local high school graduates. Our members read to children at Hilltop House and we donate to the Valparaiso Community School (VCS) needy family fund. This holiday season we have adopted 70 angels from the VCS needy children list for Christmas presents.”

Biesen continues, “Throughout the year we make charitable contributions to the Valpo YMCA and Boys and Girls Club and last year our Grants & Allocation Committee donated over $15,000 to various not for profits. Since our inception, the Iota Chapter of Tri Kappa has given well over $650,000 to support a variety of cultural, charitable and educational projects in our community. On our 100th anniversary, we produced and sold a Kappa Cookbook where the proceeds were used to create an endowment fund

ABOVE: Munster/ Highland Tri Kappa members entertain residents at the Highland nursing home with a rousing round of bingo.

LEFT: Members of the Munster/ Highland chapter of Tri Kappa participate in the Girls on the Run event in 2014. that would ensure our chapter will still be promoting Charity, Culture and Education for the next 100 years and beyond.”

Chesterton’s Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Tri Kappa has served the Chesterton area since 1956. Member Shelly Rice says, “Our 35 members annually raise funds with nut sales, chocolate covered egg sales, and murder mystery dinner projects. Last year’s budget of over $11,000 was returned to the community in projects for charity, culture, and education. We give out four $1,000 scholarships to graduating Chesterton High School seniors. We donate to the Duneland Schools’ library, music, and arts programs. The members donate their time to help with Rebuilding Duneland and to sponsor Bingo once a month for the local nursing home.

At our monthly meetings, members bring in a food pantry item that is then collected and donated to the local food pantry. Each Thanksgiving and Mother’s Day we adopt a deserving family or two and put together a basket full of goodies. We sponsor a local child so they may attend Camp Riley and we give to a number of local health and youth charities.”

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ddie Melton, manager of governmental and community relations, says that community involvement is part of their culture. “It is important to us to give back to the community where our employees live and work. We believe in supporting the causes that are important to our employees and so we work closely with them to identify the organizations that matter in their lives.

We then get behind that cause to raise dollars, through car washes, motorcycle rides, bake sales, golf outings, and other events. Our employees spearhead these initiatives and we support them,” Melton says.

NIPSCO also encourages work teams to come together outside of work to support charitable giving activities.

Melton explains, “Our departments use a teambuilding method to give back to the community, volunteering with Meals on Wheels and building bikes for local Boys and Girls Clubs, to build camaraderie internally, but to also turn it into an opportunity to give back to the

Toys begin to pile up at NIPSCO’s Merrillville headquarters. The utility’s Hope for the Holidays campaign will support

continued on page 18 Lake, Porter and LaPorte County Toys for Tots collection sites and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

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NIPSCO volunteers help the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Indiana move into th e John Will Anderson Center.

Northwest Indiana.

Throughout community.” the weeks of One important philanthropic this campaign, initiative spearheaded by the utility’s there were three employees is the annual NIPSCO fundraisers at the Charity of Choice Campaign.

Southlake Complex Organizations supported by through with a holiday cookie sale, a candy this initiative include the Red buffet, and a gift wrap. All of the profits Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, the raised at each of the fundraisers were American Heart Association, and used to purchase toy donations to give Wounded Warrior and other veterans to Toys for Tots. organizations.

Additionally, NIPSCO employees The holidays provide a special volunteered their time for the Food opportunity for the company to Bank of Northwest Indiana on give back. “NIPSCO employees December 5th at the “Local Leaders have shown their generosity and Serving Breakfast” event hosted by commitment to giving back at the Round the Clock in Highland. Many holidays in previous years, and we’re notable leaders from the region looking forward to continuing that donated their time as guest servers, strong tradition this year.” helping serve breakfast, including NIPSCO and their employees have CEO Jim Stanley. In addition, NIPSCO organized NIPSCO’s 2014 Hope for provided a matching donation of the Holidays campaign which kicked off on November 24th and ran through $20,000 toward purchasing holiday meals for distribution at the Food December 12th. This year’s campaign gives employees the opportunity to give Bank of Northwest Indiana and Round to those in need across northern Indiana the Clock also donated some of their through time and monetary donations. proceeds toward the food distribution events. The Hope for the Holidays NIPSCO will also be supporting local campaign wraps up with NIPSCO charities during the campaign with volunteers helping deliver food to $100,000 in contributions to agencies those in need at two mobile pantry providing assistance to those in need during the holiday season. Specifically, events. For more information on the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana the campaign benefited Lake, Porter and the mobile pantry events, visit and LaPorte County Toys for Tots foodbanknwi.org. collection sites and the Food Bank of

NIPSCO EMPLOYEES HAVE SHOWN THEIR GENEROSITY AND COMMITMENT TO GIVING BACK AT THE HOLIDAYS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, AND WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT STRONG TRADITION THIS YEAR. Eddie Melton, manager of governmental and community relations

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NIPSCO and NISOURCE

EMPLOYEES A key component of the NiSource and NIPSCO employee resources groups (ERGs) is giving back to the community throughout the year. And, to culminate a year of giving, NiSource’s womenfocused ERG in Indiana, DAWN (Developing and Advancing Women at NiSource), hosted a giftwrapping service this week at its headquarters in Merrillville.

F

or a donation, NiSource and NIPSCO employees could bring their holiday gifts to get wrapped

by DAWN ‘elves’ who volunteered in the mornings and during their lunch. Proceeds from the donations will be used to buy gifts for the company’s yearly U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program fundraiser.

“In the two days we’ve offered the service, we’ve wrapped more than 100 gifts,” said Elizabeth Dousias, NiSource compliance manager and DAWN member, as she wrapped a scarf for an employee’s wife. “We tried the service last year and it was a huge success; this year we’re expecting even greater participation and donations by employees.”

And, in a true act of partnership, NiSource’s veteran-focused ERG (NiVETs) will team up to deliver the truckloads of toys at sites across NIPSCO’s northern Indiana service territory.

FROM TOYS TO SUPPORT FOR BREAST CANCER

This month, DAWN also finished a months-long fundraiser for breast cancer research and presented a $10,000 check to the American Cancer Society.

Employees raised funds through a golf outing at Sand Creek Country Club in A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

Chesterton and a company-wide shirt sale.

The shirts, more than 1,000 sold, featured the word “NISOURCE” with the ‘O’ converted to the well-known pink ribbon icon to demonstrate support for breast cancer research. On any given day, you can see dozens of pink shirts roaming the halls at NiSource and NIPSCO. “Our ERGs provide an opportunity to rally support and generate discussion around shared issues,” said Carrie Hightman, executive vice president and chief legal officer at NiSource. “DAWN helped elevate awareness about breast cancer – and the preventive benefits NiSource provides to its employees – while raising a significant amount of money for a disease affecting 1 in 8 women in the U.S. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t see a NiSource employee walking the halls in one of the DAWN breast cancer shirts.”

Hightman also serves as the executive sponsor of DAWN. “The culture of giving within the NiSource family of employees is a shining example of how a group of like-minded individuals can make a powerful impact in their community and beyond,” said Cinda White, senior representative, community engagement, of the American Cancer Society, Inc. (Lakeshore Division).

NiSource also sponsors employee

Chuck Turman, electric systems planning engineer, took advantage of the gift-wrapping service fundraiser for employees at NiSource and NIPSCO. The volunteer service raised money for the company’s Toys for Tots fundraiser. resource groups for African Americans (LEAD: Leadership & Education for African American Development) and Latinos (GOLD: Generating Opportunities for Latinos & Diversity).

NiSource’s ERGs also initiated a variety of other community servicerelated activities in recent months, including raising nearly $4,000 for the United Negro College Fund, participating in the USO’s ‘Give a Card, Send a Card’ program for active service members overseas, raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and supporting the St. Joseph Carmelite Home in East Chicago’s annual holiday party.

In addition to philanthropy and community support, ERGs bring together common interests among employees while assisting in welcoming and mentoring new employees and offering professional development and cultural awareness. More than 1,100 NiSource employees across its 16-state service territory are part of an ERG. HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014 | 19

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Among the many philanthropic endeavors undertaken by Merrillville Rotary Club is one called Clothing Our Children. This cause was created over a decade ago as a way to serve the needs of area children, as Ana Grandfield explains.

G

randfield, chair of the Merrillville Rotary’s Clothing Our Children event, says, “We host a fall festival to raise money for Clothing Our Children and this was our 11th year.

The Clothing Our Children fundraiser

includes a wine tasting, microbrewery tasking, and a silent auction with wonderful baskets. Restaurants come in and do tastings of their signature dishes and we charge admission. Everything is donated and we host it at the Avalon and this year we raised $31,000.”

The money is then donated to children who are in need of clothing.

Grandfield explains, “We work with

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

the schools, the counselors, and they distribute the vouchers we purchase from Kohl’s to children who are under the poverty level.

We focus on clothing because a child’s educational needs are met by welfare agencies, their food and medical needs are met by organizations, but not their clothing needs.

Many kids come to school in the middle of winter in flip flops or T-shirt with no coats. We want to maintain the dignity of the family so we give the vouchers to the parents so they can go shopping with their children and they Rotarians Jim Larsen and Ralph Neff at don’t have to stand in line Merrillville Rotary Club’s Fall Festival. and they don’t have to go to Good Will.”

Grandfield says that families are grateful for the support. “The school counselors are wonderful and work with us. We hear wonderful stories of thanks. There was one child who had never been able to go to a department store to shop and she was able to. We get gift cards from Kohl’s for children’s clothing and Kohl’s corporate gives us a discount which is nice. Most clubs only do things for their service area, but we have expanded from Merrillville to serve Crown Point, Hobart, Lake Station, River Forest Schools in New Chicago, and any leftover vouchers we have we give to the township trustee, but Brian Popp was the emcee at this year we didn’t have any leftover Merrillville Rotary’s 11th annual because the need was so strong. I just Clothing our Children Fall Festival. wish we could do more but we do what we can,” she says.

Theo’s, Cookielicious & Cream, The 2014 Fall Fest for Clothing Our Prime Steakhouse, Figure 8 Brewing, Children was a success. Grandfield Ironwood Brewing, Crown Brewing, reports that 410 $75 vouchers were Devil’s Trumpet, Shoreline Brewery, distributed to children in need.

Three Monkeys Pub, Shady Creek Vendors who contributed include Winery, and RND. Ciao Bella, El Salto, Avalon Manor,

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Rotarian Joe Stephan with a guest at the Merrillville Rotary’s 11th Annual Fall Festival.

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Peoples Bank

Peoples Bank management d an employees are frequent participants in charitable events, donating their time as well as money.

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S

ince 1910, Peoples Bank has been founded upon the philosophy of commitment to the customer, and decade after decade in Northwest Indiana that tradition has allowed Peoples Bank to thrive and continue to serve the people of the community.

One way they serve the people of the community is through giving back, and Austin Logue, chairperson of Peoples Bank’s Community First Committee, the Bank’s employee philanthropic and social group, says they conduct many events and activities throughout the year to raise funds and volunteer.

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We all live and work in this community and we may not be able to save the world, but if we can help one person at a time in our community we’re going in the right direction.

Austin Logue, chairperson of Peoples Bank’s Community First Committee Logue says, “Throughout the year we host a number of casual days. I know they do this in many offices, but it is especially welcome in a bank to wear jeans for a day! We host about 12 or 13 of these a year which we tie to different themes like wearing red for Valentine’s day or wearing red, white, and blue for Fourth of July. One hundred percent of the money we collect goes to Community First.”

Other activities the Community First Committee organizes to raise funds include a candy gram for Valentine’s Day and raffles. “We did a raffle for a television and a Blue ray, along with another one we called Taste of the Region. We purchased gift cards to different restaurants in the community and raffled them to raise funds. We also put together a cookbook with recipes we have collected from employees over the past couple of years and we sold the cookbook to raise funds for Community First. We also do Super Bowl squares where half goes to the winner, half to Community First, and we do a tamale sale, bake sale, and other fun activities throughout the year,” says Logue.

He continues, “For the past couple of years we have tried to connect to one event in the region and this year it was United and Fight Cancer, a walk and fun run sponsored by the Cancer Resource Center in Munster. We had

Dining-Banquets-Carry Out-Catering

Peoples Bank regularly presents donations to local charities in Northwest Indiana. about 40 walkers for that event, 20 of whom were employees, and we raised $5,300 to become the top fundraising team for the event.”

So what do these Community First funds go toward? Logue explains, “In addition to supporting the Cancer Resource Center, our funds have also supported The Soujourner Truth House. We gave $500 to help restock their shelves and help them through a time when they were running low on supplies. We’ve donated to Northwest Indiana Parkinson’s Association, Opportunity Enterprises, the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Indiana, the Tolleston Project, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Haven House, the Legacy Foundation, Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids, and an honor flight, as well as individual causes.

When things pop up and people have an emergency, we are able to help through our funds.”

Peoples Bank believes in supporting the charitable work of their employees. Logue says, “Whatever we fund, Peoples Bank matches those dollars. Last year we donated $33,600 to all of these causes in the community and we like to donate to groups we work with. We all live and work in this community and we may not be able to save the world, but if we can help one person at a time in our community we’re going in the right direction.”

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The holidays are all about giving, but the community has many gifts to give. To find a way to start a tradition of giving to those in need in the region, get involved with one or more of the many organizations and charities that desperately need support in all forms.

S

haron Kish, president of the United Way of Porter County says, “We have families in our own region who are stressed by poverty, job loss or low paying jobs, foreclosure or homelessness, mental or physical illness, who do not have the means to purchase the turkey and trimmings that many of us take for granted. How can we help them?

The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana distributes food to local pantries and soup kitchens. The Food Bank solicits food, inventories it and then distributes it to food pantries throughout the region. There are 55 food pantries in Lake County, 13 in Porter County, and 9 in LaPorte County. They all need donations of food during the holidays

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Pictured left to right are Victor Ortiz, of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, accepting more than 300 food items from Josh Schultz, of Belfor. The food was donated during a recent community event held by the weather damage recovery and restoration company at Valparaiso’s Strongbow Inn. and all year long.

You can organize a food drive at your church or place of business or in your neighborhood and donate it to the Food Bank or your Sharon Kish local pantries.

All of the organizations need extra volunteers during this time of year to pack and deliver food. The Food Bank is located at 2248 W. 35th Avenue in Gary and their email: info@ foodbanknwi.org. The food pantries in your area can be found by dialing 211 and asking for the nearest pantry or on-line at nwi211.com you can enter your zip code and the pantries nearby will be identified.”

Kish continues, “Pantry on the Go is another service of the NWI Food Bank. They pack their truck with food items and distribute to different communities in the region. They are located at the American Legion Post 180, 2703 Jewett Avenue in Highland

THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR YOUR BLESSINGS BY REACHING OUT TO LEND A HAND TO OTHERS. WE LIVE IN A COMMUNITY OF VERY GENEROUS AND COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE.

Sharon Kish, president of continued on page 26 United Way of Porter County.

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with special needs grow to their full potential. TradeWinds is home to training and production operations that are a living testament to what continued from page 25 the human spirit can accomplish. on December 17th. The Salvation Army Lisa Daugherty, director of marketing and development says, “Aside from always needs help wrapping gifts and any cash donations, which are always providing food to families in need and they can be reached at (219) 762-9191 or very much appreciated, there are a email Vicki_Burge@usc.salvationarmy. couple of other ways you can donate.

First, we have a computer recycling org. Just look around. There are many opportunities during the holiday season program and we are certified to recycle any business or resident’s computer. to show your appreciation for your This is primarily the tower or laptop blessings by reaching out to lend a hand to others. We live in a community and wiring, but we cannot accept any monitors. We have a team of people of very generous and compassionate with disabilities who dismantle them people. Join your local United Way in and properly store them. We have a “Living United” during this holiday season. You can log on to nwivolunteer. partner called Technology Recyclers who will pay us for the scrap and those org to find opportunities to volunteer dollars go toward paying wages for our during this holiday season.” client employees. There are also ways At the Lake Area United Way, people can volunteer their time. We President Lou Martinez says, “During the holidays many people look to make have both adults and children we are serving at the facility, and we also have the season brighter by giving back to adults that reside in our group homes their communities. Lake Area United and supported living residences and Way helps by people can come in and participate working to in activities. We do a lot of arts and place volunteers crafts and need help facilitating those with local activities, or people can come in and nonprofits or read a book to the children or adults. groups needing It’s a way to spend time and positively assistance with influence our residents who thoroughly holiday projects enjoy visitors. A lot of our residents such as food/ don’t have family so we love to have clothing/toy Lou Martinez volunteers who would choose an adult drives, Angel and send them a Christmas card or a Tree donations, birthday card each year. If someone or financial giving opportunities.”

Finding other ways to volunteer for the has a special talent, maybe they play a musical instrument, they can Lake Area, Porter County, and LaPorte come in and play for the adults in our County United Ways can be found ADAPT program. Throughout the year online at the United Way Regional we take our adults and kids into the Volunteer Center. This is your onecommunity, to the theater, and we need stop-shop for all of your volunteerism some extra chaperones sometimes, in the community. The website can be so we are always looking for people found at nwivolunteer.org. to help. It’s a great opportunity Another organization in need of for parents to teach children about assistance is TradeWinds, whose generosity.” mission it is to help individuals

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UNICEF

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uring this hectic holiday shopping season, the best gifts for friends and family are not only wonderful to receive, but also give back to children who need help.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing medicine, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. This year, the organization is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural UNICEF Market, an online holiday marketplace which benefits the organization’s work for children, featuring gifts from around the globe, from hand-crafted jewelry, home accents and accessories, to books that will inspire readers.

the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. To shop online, visit market.unicefusa.org.

The perfect gift for the book lover, Caryl Stern’s memoir “I Believe in ZERO: Learning from the World’s Children,” takes readers on journeys through Africa, South America, and South and East Asia to experience the lives of women and children.

The author has chosen to donate 100 percent of the royalties she would have received to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

AT U

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For more than 20 years, Pier 1 Imports and UNICEF have held a greeting card contest with the winning design being reproduced as the organization’s official greeting card. The winning card is sold exclusively at stores nationwide and on pier1.com with 100 percent of the purchase price going to E the organization.

F Y L IKEA’s global “Soft I FA M Toys for Education” campaign has raised more than $90 million to help provide a quality GIVE AN INSPIRED GIFT education to 11 million children in For a truly unique gift experience, 46 countries. From November 9 shoppers can purchase UNICEF to January 3, for every soft toy or Inspired Gifts in their loved one’s children’s book sold in IKEA stores, name. From packages providing the IKEA Foundation will donate one lifesaving nutrition to vaccines and mosquito nets, you can find more ways euro (approximately $1.30) to support UNICEF and Save the Children’s to help children at inspiredgifts.org. global education programs. The The organization also offers a Soft Toys for Education collection variety of boxed holiday cards ($10 to $20) that can be purchased online and includes a wide range of woodland and fairy tale creatures with through Pier 1 Imports, IKEA, Barnes accompanying story books. and Noble and select Hallmark Gold To find out more, and to shop for Crown stores. Pier 1 Imports and IKEA will donate 100% of the purchase price holiday gifts that help others, visit shop.unicefusa.org. from the sale of each greeting card to

Avalon Springs Health Campus would like to thank everyone who helped make the 2014 Hope for the Holidays fundraiser a huge success! Thanks to all the families & area businesses who partnered with us to support the Valparaiso Police Department Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #76’s Shop with a Cop Program.

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Butler Winery Located in a charming bungalo ungalow, Butler Winery's Chesterton Tasting Room offers a wonderful assortment of gift giving ideas. Wine is the very soul of holiday hospitality ~ Bring a bottle of our Indiana grown wine to parties, or as a gift for a special friend.

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You can’t help but feel the warmth and affection the people here have for the

hesterton has to offer. From the woman walking her dog in the park, at the reet department employees that tirelessly work every day to make Chesterton

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A Special publication of the Times Media Co.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Kids Alive and Children of Abraham

Kids Alive International operates programs in the Dominican Republic.

Boys in Lebanon participate in Kids Alive International’s activities.

Giving eruvian These P ipate tic r girls pa Alive s id in K ional.

Internat

HEATHER AUGUSTYN

The Northwest Indiana community is committed to helping those in need in our cities and towns, our state and country, and all over the world. Two organizations, Kids Alive and Children of Abraham, answer the call to help some of the world’s most neediest citizens, and Northwest Indiana is proud to call them their own.

Kids Alive International has programs for children in South Sudan.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

K

ids Alive International started in China in 1916, says Executive Vice President Matt Parker. “It was very small, just one children’s home. But over the years we’ve expanded to work with Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific Rim, and over the past 15 years we’ve seen

a huge growth in our operations.

Today we are in 15 countries in five continents,” he says.

The work that Kids Alive conducts all over the world from their central office in Valparaiso, Indiana impacts the lives of thousands. Parker explains, “We work with orphans and vulnerable children, to give kids who have

continued on page 32 HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014 | 31

in the future, and to make a positive contribution to their communities and nations. Children from our children’s homes, many of whom came to us as orphans or from a life on the streets, have gone on to become engineers, businessmen, teachers, pastors and doctors.”

The need to assist the world’s most needy is great. “We have an expanding

Kids Alive and Children of Abraham continued from page 31

nothing a loving home and a promising future, so we provide children’s homes for children who have been orphaned, abused, or left on the streets and they have nowhere to go. In each of the countries where we work we have children’s homes and we also work in the communities where we serve as well so we have schools, care centers, and programs that support families. We are working with 5,300 children around the world.”

He continues, Kids Alive “As a Christian tional operates Interna faith-based ies over five countr 15 in organization, continents. These children Kids Alive’s experience the benefit of goal is to reflect Alive International’s Kids the love of outreach in Guatemala.

Christ as we rescue suffering children. We want to see these children be a blessing to others, to successfully lead families of their own

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growth as they grow up and go onto college and into the world of work and certainly we have a need for more child sponsors. We have service teams that go to different places and we had a team from Calvary Church in Valparaiso go to Guatemala to help work with a group of girls and supported the staff for a week.

They were an encouragement to our kids and our staff there.

So the community can get involved in a team, going to do construction or teaching or providing practical School work. We would like to children from share more with the Hall Mead School local community about in Kenya are part what we do and who we of Kids Alive are. We love being part International’s of this community in programs.

Valparaiso,” Parker says.

Kids Alive International offers four main types of programs including children’s homes, where children are provided with quality care in groups of between 8 and 12. In each home, they have national

program, a lot that is going on because there is a lot of need and we want to reach more kids in desperate situations.

One of our needs is to have people come alongside of us to sponsor a child and care for an individual child, to invest in their

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house parents who care for the children for 24 hours a day and they provide for these children’s physical, emotional, social, educational and spiritual needs until they have finished their education and ready to live independently. The second program is through schools.

Education is an important part of helping to break the cycle of poverty.

They provide a quality education for children who otherwise have no access to education. In addition to education, they also provide breakfast and lunch, medical care, tutoring, and Bible teaching at these schools. They also send some of the older children on to vocational courses, and they currently have around 100 children in university programs around the world. Another program is their care centers. Needy children come to their care centers for the day to receive food, clothing, education and everything provided by their children’s homes, except shelter.

At the end of the day the child goes home, usually to a widowed mother or a grandparent and often to a house with a dirt floor, with no electricity or running water. And the last program provides is their community programs which include a program called “Families Together.” This supports single mothers or grandmothers to

develop a skill or activity that helps the family become Children of more self-sustaining.

Abraham sent This includes growing a container full of food, rearing cows, goats l equipment and medica and chickens, sewing, to Akleh Hospital s supplie or starting up a small in Amman, Jordan in 2013, business. They also where three floors were help to provide training dedicated to serve programs, medical care Syrian refugees and meet other critical fleeing unrest. needs. They have worked with hundreds of families in this program over the past couple of years, and they are seeing positive changes, not only within individual families, but in entire communities.

C

hildren of Abraham is an organization that began in 2001 at Hammond First United Methodist Church after they went to Liberia to work with Operation Classroom. The organization began by sending supplies to the school, but the need soon changed when the church’s pastor visited the local hospital as an administrator. The discovery that there

continued on page 34

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continued from page 33

Kids Alive and Children of Abraham

PHOTOS PROVIDED

A 40’ container was successfully loaded for Concept International Clinic in Nigeria from Children of Abraham and Abel Dafiaghor. Beds, exam tables, x-ray view boxes, mattresses, walkers, scales, chairs, IV poles, dialysis machine, and many medical supplies were loaded.

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weren’t enough supplies and equipment to meet the needs of the patients led to the mission to source surplus medical supplies from Northwest Indiana hospitals to send to this hospital and subsequent hospitals in need. Children of Abraham incorporated in 2004 as a not for profit and to date they have shipped to 39 countries around the world from their warehouse in Munster, says Champ Merrick, executive director.

“We collect medical supplies from Northwest Indiana and Chicago, surplus that is not expired, and we sort everything out and send items to hospitals in third world countries.

We establish a relationship with these hospitals and determine their needs. We don’t send to for-profit hospitals, just hospitals that are not-for-profit and they tell us what they can use out of our inventory. We prepay the shipping costs and they get everything totally free. We have shipped about $250 million worth of supplies including beds, mattresses, gurneys, catheters, and it’s pretty expensive stuff,” says Merrick.

He continues, “We are completely a volunteer organization with no paid staff, and all of our donations are used to fund the shipping costs. Fortunately

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at this point Children of we have had m provided Abraha warehouse space er full of contain a donated to us and shoes g, clothin and that way medical supplies for the money can the people of Bekaa, all go to shipping Lebanon in 2013. costs. We just sent two 40-foot containers to Gaza sees to it that the containers are which has been shelled by sent to the hospital and they will go the Israelis and we are sending through Jordan, the west bank, and on to the largest hospital in Gaza. A lady that we work with runs an organization to Gaza. The next shipment may go to Bangladesh and we’ve shipped there in Chicago called Peace for Children

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before. The focus is just to try help people who are in need. We have some support from religious groups, but we don’t focus on religion, we just focus on people in need.”

Celebrating 48 years

Four 40’ high cube containers were loaded for Niger on Dec. 6,2013.

Volunteers from Mount Carmel High School were on hand to load one container. The containers will be going to the government of Niger as they control the hospitals.

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Franciscan Alliance

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Crown Point High School thespians help feed the needy.

For more than 135 years, Franciscan Alliance has stayed true to their founding mission to care for everyone who comes through their doors. One way that Franciscan Alliance accomplishes this mission is through St. Clare Health Clinic in Crown Point which is under the auspices of Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point and since 1996 has provided free primary health care and other services for Northwest Indiana residents who fall within established income guidelines, are uninsured and are not eligible for government assistance.

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J

ulie Mallers, manager and nurse practitioner at St. Clare Health Clinic, says, “We are a primary health care service for individuals with no insurance at poverty levels. We are a nurse practitioner-based clinic that focuses on prevention and health promotion.” Franciscan St. Anthony Health’s St. Clare Health Clinic is a primary care provider of non-emergency services with an emphasis on prevention, early detection, patient education, physical exams and health screenings. The clinic also serves those who endure hardship to access quality health care.

The clinic offers management of chronic illness such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease,

continued on page 38

Merrillville Rotarians deliver turkeys to members of the St. Clare Health Clinic during last year’s holiday.

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Franciscan Alliance

Merrillville Rotary Club fills holiday tables of St. Clare Health Clinic clients.

continued from page 37

WE ARE A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH NO INSURANCE AT POVERTY LEVELS. WE ARE A NURSE PRACTITIONERBASED CLINIC THAT FOCUSES ON PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION. Julie Mallers, manager and nurse practitioner at St. Clare Health Clinic

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hypertension, and medication assistance.

Mallers says, “We work with our patients to help them apply for the Healthy Indiana Plan or the Affordable

Care Act plans so we have been a nice stepping stone for patients.

We also held an event with the Merrillville Rotary Club who made Thanksgiving happier for numerous area needy families recently by donating 50 turkeys to St. Clare Health Clinic which were distributed to clients. We also received bags of clothing for toddlers from St. Mary’s Church and School for our prenatal program, and the hospital

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All Calendar proceeds will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in honor of Max McLinn, a student at Valparaiso High School, who was diagnosed with MD in 2007. We hope you will join us in our efforts to help send children with MD to summer camp. the team at culver’s of valparaiso wants to thank you for your donation.

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culvers.com

Culv Culver’s of Schererville is raising funds for cancer research in memory of ur co-w co-worker, Barb. Barb wasn’t just a fellow worker. She was a member of our Culver’s Family. At anytime, one of us, whether it be a close friend, family member member, or co-worker, could be diagnosed with cancer. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if yyour $5.00 donation towards research could help find a cure before that happens? This year, we hope you will help Culv Culver’s raise funds to fight the battle against cancer. One step closer to finding the cure! the culver’s of schererville team would like to thank you for helping us raise funds for cancer research. Many warm wishes to you and your family for a joyous holiday season.

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employees adopt a family for Christmas.

New this year is our outreach programs, providing blood pressure and blood sugar screenings at the YMCA, St. Jude House, and St. Mary’s and we are looking to expand this.”

S

t. Clare Health Clinic staff members recently received a donation of bags of canned items from the Crown Point High School Theater Department through their performances of Charlotte’s Web that were presented to some 650 third-graders in the city’s Community School Corporation. Kit Degenhart, theater director, said the goods were requested for admission to the performances and that the number collected far exceeded expectations.

Additionally, Sandra Vargas and Jim Larsen, members of St. Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, recently delivered bags full of new children’s clothing collected during a recent round of weekend masses, to the Prenatal Assistance program at St. Clare Health Clinic. The program serves needy area

residents who fall within established guidelines. Parishioners brought the items after notices for donations appeared in the church bulletin. One parishioner also contributed a $100 check. The prenatal program offers free pregnancy testing, referral and assistance with accessing community and hospital resources, nutritional and pregnancy-related education, regular and supportive contacts during pregnancy and a clothing closet for expectant mothers.

Also under the umbrella of the Franciscan Alliance, the Catherine McAuley Clinic in Hammond provides crucial services for those in need.

Martha Kozub, manager of the McAuley Clinic says, “The clinic has been here 19 years come this March. We provide wellness exams, treatment for episodic and chronic problems, we draw our labs here, we have counseling services, podiatry services, we have imaging tests through the hospital at a discount rate of 85 percent, we provide flu vaccines through Walgreens, we provide preventative care and wellness education, and we provide referrals for specialists. Our clients are the

uninsured or they do not qualify for programs and do not have Medicaid or Medicare. A lot of our patients were able to get into programs through the state of Indiana, but we’re getting new patients as well. Some leave us and get better, but we are seeing an increase in new patients. They are from all walks of life.

Area We are all children volunteer benefit from a physicians, St. Mary Church nurses, donation. and support staff.

2014

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Regular Sunday Service @9am with Sunday School/Bible Study @ 10:30am HOLIDAY FIVE | December 17, 2014 | 39

Sojourner Truth House

Walkers begin the annual Sojourner Truth House walk Saturday in Gary. The song “Eye of the Tiger” was played as participants stepped off.

MICHAEL MCARDLE, THE TIMES

Sojourner Truth House HEATHER AUGUSTYN

The Sojourner Truth House at 410 West 13th Avenue in Gary is a community resource and day center for homeless and at-risk women and children. Founded in 1997, Development Manager Sherita Brewer says they have grown exponentially over the years. “One of the biggest ways we’ve grown is in sheer numbers. We used to serve 600 to 800 people, and last year we served 2,081 every month.” continued on page 42 40 | HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

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continued from page 40

he numbers at Sojourner Truth House have increased because the need has increased. “It’s basic economics,” Brewer says.

“Nobody’s dollar goes as far as it used to. The old face of homelessness was, in my mind, a little old man toddling down the street with his possessions in a cart looking lost and disheveled. But the new face is young people and children. Over half of the people are homeless currently are children, so it is very different.

Homelessness looks like me, looks like you, looks like your neighbor. The stigma is you’re homeless because you did something wrong, drank too much, had a drug problem, or maybe you didn’t do anything wrong but you have a mental issue. But it is different today. You’re homeless because your car broke down, you have medical bills, you have a family crisis like your mom gets sick and you have to take

time off to take care of her or your child gets sick and you have to leave your job to take care of them. You are a casualty of life.”

Brewer says that they serve the needs of Gary citizens in many ways.

She says, “We are three streams of service—our shelter clients, our transitional outreach program participants, and our community clients.” Brewer explains, “Our shelter clients are housed in one of the local shelters. We are a day center so these people are homeless. Once those shelter clients have completed the programs and process and we have assisted them with finding permanent housing, they can stay with us for a while afterwards, usually six months to a year, and they are in need of ongoing case management and perhaps they have some issues they are dealing with and we can help them ongoing services. Our community clients have intermittent needs like they just lost their jobs and they need a little assistance to keep going.”

Sojourner Truth House focuses on these area of meeting needs in unique

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42 | HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014

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MICHAEL MCARDLE PHOTOS, THE TIMES

Pamela Wade dances while warming up for the annual Sojourner Truth House walk in 2013 at Froebel Alumni Park in Gary. Participants raised nearly $70,000 for the organization, which provides a variety of services for homeless and at-risk women and their children.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

ways. “We know that certainly we’re not the only food pantry in the world, but one of the things that sets us apart is we are one of the few food pantries that also provides personals, because when you get a food stamp card you can go and buy cereal or Spaghetti-Os, but you can’t buy shampoo or NOBODY’S DOLLAR GOES AS FAR you can’t buy a toothbrush for AS IT USED TO. THE OLD FACE OF your child, or if HOMELESSNESS WAS, IN MY MIND, you’re a lady, you A LITTLE OLD MAN TODDLING can’t buy personal DOWN THE STREET WITH HIS products. So that’s POSSESSIONS IN A CART LOOKING one of the really strong things we LOST AND DISHEVELED. BUT THE do. We recognize NEW FACE IS YOUNG PEOPLE the fact that toilet AND CHILDREN. OVER HALF OF tissue isn’t really THE PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS an option. A bar of soap isn’t an CURRENTLY ARE CHILDREN, SO IT IS option. We now VERY DIFFERENT. HOMELESSNESS take the first 60 LOOKS LIKE ME, LOOKS LIKE YOU, clients and we LOOKS LIKE YOUR NEIGHBOR. had to limit that because we could Sherita Brewer, Development Manager not keep enough at Sojourner Truth House food and items on the shelves to give them anything them know someone care,” she says. meaningful that will help, but our Brewer says that other donations numbers still rise even though we limit them. You qualify to receive food are also welcome. “We never discount every 30 days, and personal items and the fact that we have to keep the lights on so when we go to pay our utility bill clothing every 90 days, and you have they don’t accept cans of vegetables, to be a Gary resident,” Brewer says. so monetary donations are important.

The Soujourner Truth House is It is also extremely valuable and always in need of help, and Diane gratifying when we run across a donor Gross and Trish Caruso, owners of Eco-Chic Boutique in Dyer have heard who will give us $10,000, but it is equally as gratifying when we run that call. “The items we take in our across a donor who will give us $10. store are beautiful items but some do It’s the fact that you will reach out not sell,” explains Gross. “When this and give,” she says. Immediate needs happens we either return the items, include personal project and paper or if they wish, we donate them to products, feminine hygiene products, Sojourner Truth House, a wonderful source that will get great use of these toothbrushes, body wash, clothing, diapers, household supplies, kitchen items. It carries on our belief in items, furniture, appliances, cell recycling and we are able to provide beautiful clothing to those who could phones, linens, and school supplies which can be dropped off at the otherwise afford them. We love the Sojourner Truth House at the corner thought of these women wearing of Madison and 13th Avenue in Gary. clothing provided free to them, to let A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

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he holiday season is a magical time and there are some simple ways to share in the season’s ANDY LAVALLEY, THE TIMES spirit of goodwill and Ten year-old Mikayla Sewell gets a hug from her mother Stacy during a generosity. gathering at their Valparaiso home Sunday Dec. 7, 2014. Friends and family Let this season of gathered to celebrate as Mikayla’s wish to visit Walt Disney World will soon giving take on a new come true thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation. form by participating in a simple act

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exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist …”

These words became the most reprinted editorial ever to run in any newspaper in the English language. The touching story created generations of believers and provided inspiration for the “Yes, Virginia” animated special, available at Macy’s as a DVD and illustrated storybook. In addition to the letter collection drive, you can also give back by purchasing these gifts in stores or online, with 10 percent of the purchase price Jasmine DeJesus, going to Make6, of Griffith, is all A-Wish. smiles as she opens up her gifts from Make-A-Wish THE POWER OF A WISH Northwest Indiana before her One of the dream come true vacation world’s to Walt Disney World. She leading was diagnosed with acute children’s lymphoblastic leukemia charities, May. last Make-A-Wish serves children in

addressed to “Santa at the North Pole,” into the special Santa Mail letterbox. Letters to Santa can also be created and sent online at macys.com/believe, making it easier than ever to give back.

For each letter collected in-store and online through December 24, the retailer will donate $1, up to $1 million, to Make-A-Wish, helping to grant the wishes of children with lifethreatening medical conditions. Since the campaign was introduced seven years ago, it has raised more than $8.7 million to benefit the organization.

HOW IT STARTED

DA

The campaign was inspired IA by the true story of 8-yearN RI old Virginia O’Hanlon, who CO ,T wrote a letter to the New York Sun HE TI M newspaper in 1897 asking if there really ES was a Santa Claus. The paper editor, Francis P. Church, responded, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He

every community in the United States and its territories. The organization grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Since its inception in 1980, it has granted more than 254,000 wishes.

According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true can have positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family.

GENEROSITY COMES IN MANY FORMS

M

There are many ways to embrace the giving spirit of the season. Other ways to take part include helping at a local soup kitchen, “adopting” a family in need or even writing letters of appreciation to mail carriers, servicemen and others who help you throughout the year. For more information about this year’s campaign or to learn more about helping make children’s wishes come true, visit macys.com/believe.

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PHOTOS PROVIDED

Youth Initiatives

Payton Antkiewicz asked friends and family to for donate toiletry items ip sh wn the Hanover To Food Pantry instead of gifts for her 8th birthday.

giving BACK

When Jordan Denton celebrated his 11th birthday, he asked for food and toiletry items for the Hanover Township food pantry in lieu of gifts for himself.

Local kids find ways to help their community

T

HEATHER AUGUSTYN

he next generation in Northwest Indiana is active, passionate about their causes, and innovative. They energetically collect food and supplies for our residents, and they turn their own celebrations into celebrations for others, looking beyond themselves to embrace the community. Here are just a few of the stories, a snapshot, of what is taking place in Northwest Indiana with our devoted youth.

Erin Novak of Munster says her two sons, Tommy, 6, and RJ, 4, drive past a pet shelter every day and decided to do something to help the animals they deeply love. They collect supplies at their birthdays in lieu of gifts. Novak explains, “We live right by the Humane Society and drive past it a lot and I told them this is where the animals with no homes live. They wanted to help doggies find a home and so we went in there and saw the dogs, cats, and bunnies and they wanted to help all the animals. My husband and I both have large families so at birthday parties we would get overrun by toys, so we printed out the Humane Society wish list and started asking people to bring supplies instead of toys and they are more than generous. We have collected more than $500 in supplies and gift cards.”

When asked why he does it, Tommy says, “I just love animals. It makes me feel good,” and RJ says, “I like doggies.” Such simple love and dedication needs no further explanation. Novak says that they are happy to fill a need for the shelter. “In

continued on page 48

46 | HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014

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Holiday Five | December 17, 2014 | 47

Youth Initiatives

continued from page 46

2013 the Humane Society had a fire and that’s what started it. They asked for blankets for the animals and RJs birthday was shortly after so we started asking people for donations. We’ve done this for a couple of birthdays. It’s been a good learning experience for them,” she says.

In Jackson Township in Chesterton, Tommy Novak, Matthew Shaffer 6, and RJ Novak, 4, also turned his ng decided to do somethi ended up donating birthday into a y the als im an the lp he to 1,400 and surpassed his celebration for ct deeply love. They colle goal. But then, when others. Last April, ays supplies at their birthd officials at Charmin heard Shaffer, collected te about Matthew’s efforts, toilet paper instead of gifts to dona to the Humane they decided to match his for his birthday Society. efforts, donating an additional to donate to 1,400 rolls. people at Housing Housing Opportunities is a HUDOpportunities. Shaffer, PHOTOS PROVIDED a sixth grader, sent out a approved, state-certified agency that In Jackson Township in Chesterton, Matthew Shaffer collected toilet paper serves homeless residents in Northwest letter asking people and some churches for his birthday to donate to people at Housing Opportunities. He ended up if they wanted to help him reach his goal Indiana. Housing Opportunities CEO donating 1,400 when Charmin matched his efforts, donating an additional Caroline Shook said, “What’s so of donating 1,100 rolls to the homeless 1,400 rolls. shelter, in honor of his 11th birthday. He phenomenal about this is the number

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No tax dollars are of kids and teens who used,” said Hanover give up their presents Twp. Trustee Mitchel to help those who are Lopez. “Donations are less fortunate. Very always appreciated. humbling.” Matthew’s SHE ASKED ALL These donations came mother, Chrissie Shaffer, at critical times when says her son received HER FRIENDS our pantry was running gifts beyond any birthday COMING TO HER low. The thoughtfulness from the experience.

BIRTHDAY PARTY and generosity of these “Matthew feels so proud children brings pride about this that it brings TO NOT BRING to our community and him to tears to talk about HER GIFTS, BUT hope for a wonderful it,” she said.

INSTEAD BRING future. These kids offer Another birthday me sufficient proof collection was taken up BOOKS SHE that our future will be this past September in COULD DONATE alright. They remind us Cedar Lake when Payton TO NEEDY KIDS. that happiness can be Antkiewicz celebrated found in a simple act her 8th birthday and Randi Graham, such as sharing with a instead of asking for Bradleigh’s father stranger,” Lopez said. gifts, she asked friends In January last and family to donate toiletry items for the Hanover Township year, 9-year-old Bradleigh Graham of Food Pantry operated out of the Hanover Merrillville donated books she collected to celebrate her Christmas Day birthday to Twp. Trustee’s office in Cedar Lake. the Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition.

Only a few months prior, Jordan Denton celebrated his 11th birthday, and he, too, Her father, Randi Graham explained, PROVIDED “She asked all her friends coming to her asked for food and toiletry items for the Nine-year-old Bradleigh Graham of Merrillville donated books she collected birthday party to not bring her gifts, but food pantry in lieu of gifts for himself. to celebrate her Christmas Day birthday to the Northwest Indiana Literacy instead bring books she could donate to “Our pantry at the Hanover Township Coalition.

Trustee’s Office runs solely on donations. needy kids.”

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

HOLIDAY FIVE | December 17, 2014 | 49

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Helping the Military

Members of the Indiana Patriot Guard make their wa y into Central Park Pla za in Valparaiso as color s are presented for the Folds of Honor Patriot Day Golf Weekend kickoff celebration.

W

HEATHER AUGUSTYN

hile you’re putting together your list of gifts for the special people around you, don’t forget the military families.

Spouses and children of those serving in the military are some of the most deserving during the holiday season, especially ones who will not be fortunate enough to spend time with their loved one at Christmas.

Military budgets can be stretched to the maximum without a lot left over for Christmas presents. That’s where you can come in. To help thank military families for the sacrifices made year-round, many organizations have developed special Christmas programs.

These initiatives can be crucial in making the holidays a positive time for military, spouses and children alike.

Here are some programs and options available to military families in need and how people can assist:

request. These program are extremely popular, so military families must submit an application months before Christmas to become eligible.

FULL CIRCLE HOME

Full Circle Home gives deployed servicemen a chance to send a gift box to their wives back home. Gift boxes can contain pampering items, such as lotions, bubble baths and spa socks.

They also include a personalized, handwritten note from the serviceman.

HEROES AT HOME

This donation-based program is coordinated by Sears and allows military families to apply for a gift card to help with their holiday shopping.

Registration for the gift cards generally opens at the end of August and has had up to 20,000 applications, of which a select amount is chosen to receive the cards depending on the amount of donations received.

MILITARY INSTALLATION SUPPORT

If you’re looking to donate your time or funds locally, the family centers within military installations often offer assistance to military ADOPT-A-FAMILY families in many forms. These may include buying Numerous organizations offer adopt-a-family children Christmas gifts or running errands. programs, which facilitate the easy sharing of Contact your local installation to find out military families’ Christmas wish lists. You simply “adopt” a family and purchase items they how you can help or receive assistance.

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TIMES MEDIA CO.

LOCAL RESOURCES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES Many veterans’ organizations present opportunities for community volunteers to help out or donate to the cause.

Contact any organization for details on how to offer your help.

These listings were compiled from the NWI Veterans Action Council. The NWI Veterans Action Council at Calumet College of St. Joseph seeks to advocate for service members’ interests throughout the Northwest Indiana region and provide resources and connections for service members and families. The organization’s website hosts a comprehensive list of resources for military service members and at nwiveterans.com.

AMERICAN VETERANS MOTORCYCLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 14 An organization of people that love to ride for a cause. Veterans and nonveterans are welcome to join.

Hammond, Lowell, Valparaiso and Hobart 219-796-7125 // amvra.com HONOR FLIGHT Honor Flight seeks to thank and pay tribute to veterans—especially our World War II veterans— by bringing them to Washington, D.C. for a day of honor and remembrance at no cost to them.

Volunteers are always welcome to help or donate.

773.227.8387 // Honorflightchicago.org INDIANA PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS The Indiana Patriot Guard Riders organization’s mission is to show sincere respect for our fallen heroes and veterans, their families and their communities.

Inpatriotguard.org NWI FOLDS OF HONOR The Folds of Honor Foundation funds educational scholarships for children whose military parent has been killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Fundraising events are held throughout the year.

219.776.7900 // fohnwi.com PETS N VETS Pets N Vets offers a no-cost dog training class for qualifying veterans with PTSD or other emotional disorders.

219.996.4770 // dunesdogtrainingclub.com VETERANS LIFE CHANGING SERVICES A transitional housing program designed to assist Northwest Indiana and Illinois service men and women in their transition back into civilian life.

VLCS offers opportunities to sponsor homeless veterans for their housing and service needs.

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HOLIDAY FIVE | DECEMBER 17, 2014 | 53

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WEDNESDAY DEC. 17 Wag Your Tail Wednesday, 4-7 p.m., Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond.

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Dogs and cats are invited to sit on Santa’s lap for a holiday photo. Photos are $5 each and donations for local animal shelters will be accepted.

THURSDAY DEC. 18 Christmas Dinner Theatre, 6 p.m. doors open; 6:30-9 p.m. dinner and entertainment, Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. 219.766.3851. birkyfarms.com. Local singers and musicians celebrate the Christmas season at this fundraiser dinner benefitting Hannah’s Hope.

FRIDAY DEC. 19 A Tuna Christmas, Crown Point Community Theatre, 1125 Merrillville Road, Crown Point.

219.805.4255. cpct.biz. Two actors play 22 roles in this humorous holiday show. The plot revolves around a Christmas yard decoration contest in the small town of Tuna, Texas, as well as a production of “A Christmas Carol” in town that just can’t seem to get off the ground.

SATURDAY DEC. 20 Holiday Farm Frenzy, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fair Oaks Farms Cafe, 856 N. 600 E., Fair Oaks.

877.536.1194. fofarms.com. Fair Oaks Farm celebrates the holiday with a breakfast with Santa and baking with Santa, with proceeds donated to Riley Children’s Hospital. Activities include an indoor craft show, kids’ activities and a winter wonderland.

SUNDAY DEC. 19-23 Festive December at Bellaboos’s—The Santa Express, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, 2800 Colorado St., Lake Station. 219.963.2070. mybellaboos.com. The Santa Express comes to Bellaboo’s with train-themed and holiday play—including storytime, photos with Santa, baking cookies with Mrs. Claus, a holiday parade and more.

MONDAY DEC. 22 “Polar Express” Movie Day, 10 a.m.-noon, Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing.

708.474.2447. lansingpl.org. This all-ages movie day will include hot chocolate and a screening of the holiday classic. Attendees are invited to wear pajamas.

TUESDAY THROUGH JAN. 4 Holiday Lights in Washington Park, Washington Park, 115 Lakeshore Dr., Michigan City. 219.873.1506. emichigancity. com. Holiday decorations light up the park each evening.

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after Thanksgiving, SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS, Monday thru Friday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

We buy Gold/Jewelry & Old Clocks/Watches/Pocket Watches • Layaway/Available Approval Required. Some restrictions apply on ad.

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Holiday Five | December 17, 2014 | 55

F

ranciscan Alliance’s northern Indiana hospitals reach out every day to touch and improve someone’s life in a deep and meaningful way.

Our goal is to impact and improve the quality of life in the community by offering special outreach programs, especially for those who are elderly, poor, vulnerable, sick or neglected.

Touching Lives in the Community

It is rewarding to know that we can impact the community in such a powerful way – by joyfully giving of ourselves and living our mission.

We are proud of the service we offer and the positive relationships we are building by Continuing Christ’s Ministry in Our Franciscan Tradition.

Caring for Carmelite Kids at Easter

Easter baskets for 65 children containing toys, candy and books donated to the Carmelite Home Franciscan Healthcare-Munster

Planting Hope for Organ and Tissue Recipients

Tree-planting service honors organ and tissue donors and recipients Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer/Hammond

For more information on our Community Benefit activities, visit FranciscanAlliance.org/communitybenefit

Auction Brings Happier Christmas to Underprivileged

Christmas wreath auction benefits uninsured patients of St. Clare Health Clinic and Prenatal Assistance Program

Celebrating Our Patients

Hospital staff salutes 100-year-old pulmonary rehab patient Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City

Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point

56 | Holiday Five | December 17, 2014

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