Brownsburg Magazine December 2021 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

DECEMBER 2021

MAGAZINE

A Holly Jolly Time The Yuletide Festival at Connection Pointe Returns EXERCISE YOUR HOLIDAY OPTIONS

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THE REASON FOR THE SEASON At Franciscan Health, we believe in joy, hope and the gift of life. This Christmas, we celebrate the miracles, moments and traditions that bring Christ’s light and love into our lives. From all of us at Franciscan Health, may this season be filled with inspiration for you, your family and loved ones, and may God’s peace be with you in the coming year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

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The holidays are full of joy and excitement, especially for children, but this time of year, parents should be extra cautious about home safety. With the holidays, a variety of seasonal toys, decorations and other items enter the home and may present hazards to your family. Dr. Amanda Gripe, pediatric hospitalist at Indiana University Health West Hospital, offers some ways to keep your family safe. Toying With Toys Make sure toys are safe for little ones. • Avoid choosing toys with sharp edges, cords or small parts. If a toy is tiny enough to fit through a toilet paper roll, it can cause choking. • Remove strings and ribbons from toys before you give them to little ones to prevent strangulation. • For kids under 10, choose batteryoperated toys, rather than toys that need

an outlet. • Only adults or older children should replace light bulbs in toys to ensure proper wattage. • Teach older kids to keep their toys away from little siblings.

• Clean up all used gift wrap soon after opening presents — it may pose a choking or fire hazard. Don’t burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. • Lock matches and lighters in a high cabinet.

Decorations Decorating the house can be a fun family activity, but don’t let it become a potential danger.

Entertaining, Made Safer During cooking and mealtime, keep hot foods away from the edges of tables to avoid burns. Clean up food and drinks immediately after a party, and when making the rounds to holiday gatherings be sure everyone is buckled. Kids ages 12 and younger should ride in the back seat.

• If you set up a Christmas tree, position it away from fireplaces and radiators. Keep live trees well-watered so they don’t become a fire hazard. Artificial trees should be fire resistant. • Avoid ornaments and decorations that resemble food or are breakable. To hang decorations, use step stools, rather than chairs or other furniture. • String outdoor lights using hooks or insulated staples, not nails.

Regular Risks While you keep an eye out for holiday hazards, don’t forget about the usual suspects. For instance, don’t let your kids run on hardwood floors with stockings on their feet and don’t leave plastic bags where children can reach them.

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EXERCISE YOUR HOLIDAY OPTIONS

Visit Hendricks County Helps to Navigate Wintertime Shopping and Entertainment Writer / Josh Duke Photography Provided

We’ve done it - we’ve reached that time of year that might as well be called shopping season. But don’t fret. We are here to help at Visit Hendricks County, where we encourage limiting your online and bigbox retail purchases to support some of our locally-owned, small businesses here in Hendricks County. You might just be surprised by the unique gifts you’ll find.

As you hopefully know, our organization also helps support our local attractions, and has become known for our popular events calendar and providing local options. So, let’s get to all the great places to shop and fun activities for this winter.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Yes, our Holiday Gift Guide is back, for which we highlight the best 20 gifts unique to Hendricks County for the year, after scouring our locally-owned and -operated

DECEMBER 2021

businesses. Please help support these businesses if you can. They really need our help now more than ever. I really don’t want to give too much away here, because you can learn much more about each specific gift and where to find them at visithendrickscounty.com/gift. You will find food, fashion, experiences, home decor and much more, but what this Gift Guide truly intends to do is give you a sneak peek of what you can find in our locally-owned stores. Once you walk into the doors of these businesses, I promise you will find much more for those special people

on your holiday shopping list.

INDOOR WINTER ATTRACTIONS I’m limited on space so I will keep this section to just three recommendations, one for each of our larger towns, but there is so much more to do than what I will cover below. You can check out all the options at visithendrickscounty.com/ winter.

PRESS PLAY GAMING LOUNGE, BROWNSBURG Press Play quite literally has something for every member of the family. This large indoor facility in a former grocery store has tons of room to spread out, including family pods with televisions equipped with gaming systems and streamable channels. This indoor experience also has eight virtual reality stations with numerous games, a foam war area, a three-point shootout and a BEAM system for young visitors, as well as

DECEMBER 2021

food, a bar and much more.

THE TIE DYE LAB, AVON Offering a fun, all-inclusive, do-it-yourself experience for individuals or groups, The Tie Dye Lab helps participants color T-shirts, hats, socks, bandanas and other attire. You choose your design and colors, and the experts there guide you through the process. The tiedye process is both easy and mess-free, and within an hour you get to leave with your creation.

SKY ZONE INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK, PLAINFIELD Dubbed the ‘ultimate 3D play experience for almost any age, shape or ability,’ Sky Zone boasts wall-to-wall trampoline fun. You can play Sky Zone dodgeball, dunk a basketball at SkySlam, show off your moves in their open trampoline area, leap over winding poles, test your ninja skills, or even perfect your craft as you practice flips in the foam pit area.

OUTDOOR WINTER ACTIVITIES Again, we have many options that I could highlight here, but I will limit it to just a couple of our top recommendations, and you can find more at visithendrickscounty.com/ winter.

PENGUIN PARK, AVON Head out to Washington Township Park in Avon and check out Penguin Park, where you can go ice skating on a synthetic rink, rent an igloo with a small bonfire for a gathering or birthday party, or even try curling at the skating rink. Park officials are also planning special public events there throughout the season. Natural Valley Ranch, Brownsburg Natural Valley Ranch offers guided horseback rides year round, weather permitting, but there is just something fun about bundling up and going out in the fresh, crisp air for a horseback ride. Those interested need to contact the ranch in advance to make a reservation before arriving.

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BREATHING LIFE INTO THEATER The Melanie and Rosalie Albright Foundation Supports Youth Participation in Theater

“We didn’t have time to think about it,” Aimee Albright says. “We were dumped in the deep end first.” Four and a half years later, Rosalie was their surprise baby who unfortunately arrived with a surprise of her own. She also had CF. There is no cure for the chronic disease, and while advances are being made to improve the lives of those who have it, according to Cystic Fibrosis News Today, the average life expectancy of a person with CF in the U.S. is approximately 37.5 years.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

When Aimee Albright and her husband Robert (aka R.D.) started a family, they knew there was a one-in-four chance for their children to be born with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas and other organs. Both Aimee and R.D. carry one copy of the genetic defect, but since no previous family members had ever been diagnosed with CF, the couple wasn’t overly concerned, especially after their firstborn son, Adam, was born perfectly healthy. Two years later, they were pregnant again. When their daughter, Melanie, only gained 10 ounces in her first four months of life, alarm bells sounded. Upon examination, Aimee and R.D. were told that their daughter had CF and pneumonia, and admitted her to the hospital on the spot.

Facing the fact that two of their three children would likely have their lives cut short was traumatic, but the couple’s strong Christian faith helped them process the news. “Having that faith in God and trusting him, knowing that this is his plan and I don’t have to like it but that he knows more than I do, that is what got us through,” Albright says. When Rosalie was diagnosed, they already knew what to do and what to expect. “CF was already a part of our lives - everything was now times two,” says Albright, who homeschooled her kids in order to better take care of their needs.

DECEMBER 2021

This was important, given that every time one of the girls got sick with a cold, they were in the hospital for two to three weeks on intravenous antibiotics. This typically happened three to four times per year. When they weren’t sick, however, they were happy and busy. When they were young, they both gravitated towards the arts and loved participating in Christmas pageants and other church programs. While Rosalie delighted in performing on stage, Melanie preferred the behind-the-scenes action like painting, set building and applying makeup. In 2012, the sisters got involved with the Hendricks Civic Theater’s (HCT) production of “Aladdin Jr.” Shortly after that, the Biz Academy of Musical Theatre opened and the girls did “Beauty and the Beast.” Melanie painted sets and helped with props. Rosalie was cast as the Enchantress, Marie, and was in the ensemble. Albright volunteered to be stage manager. By this point, the family was officially captivated by community theater. In 2012 Melanie got extremely sick. Her lung function was at about 25% and she needed to be on oxygen all the time. She waited for double lung transplant that never came.

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to to apply apply forfor allall locations. locations. Call/Text Call/Text (317) (317) 754-MATH 754-MATH (6284) (6284) “There were too many people listed ahead of her and not enough registered organ donors,” Albright says. Melanie passed away on January 14, 2014, at the tender age of 18. A month after Melanie passed away, Rosalie caught respiratory syncytial virus, which caused a great deal of damage to her lungs. That virus eventually led to the need for a double lung transplant. Despite her circumstance, Rosalie insisted on not giving up theater. While rehearsing for the show “Shrek,” she had oxygen waiting in each of the wings of the stage. “She would go on stage, do her scene, then come into the wings for oxygen, maybe throw up, then go back on stage,” Albright recalls.

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The theater kids - her “tribe” as Albright calls them - visited Rosalie in the hospital, sent constant texts, FaceTimed with her, and prayed. Six months to the day after Melanie’s passing, she received a double lung transplant.

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Her first day back at rehearsal, the director told Rosalie to take it easy, but she didn’t know how to do that. Her energy had returned, and she was ready to expend it. The following year, she landed her first lead - Margo in “Legally Blonde.”

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Rosalie did well for a year before her body began to reject the lungs. Rosalie was in a hospital in St. Louis when the family received the devastating news that her donor lungs were failing. Rosalie, 15 at the time, opted not to have a second lung transplant, and her parents respected her choice.

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She went back on oxygen, continuing to perform in shows and take her dance classes and vocal lessons. In the spring of 2016, the Biz put on “The Lion King” and she was cast in the ensemble. Again, there was oxygen on both sides of the stage, and she wouldn’t let her condition stop her from doing what she loved. When she was off stage, friends sat with her as she got her oxygen. Rosalie passed away on May 4, 2016, a month before her 16th birthday. She requested no funeral service and asked that friends share stories instead. One boy spoke about walking into rehearsals on the first day as the brand-new kid. He saw a circle of kids on the floor, one of whom was Rosalie. She invited him to join them. “That’s who she was - always very inclusive,” Albright says. After her second daughter died of CF, Albright wondered what to do with her life at that point. The family discussed ways they could honor the girls and keep their memories alive. They didn’t want to create another community theater because between the Biz, HCT, and local schools, that was covered. “I said, ‘What if we created a nonprofit to support youth participation in all aspects of theatre?’” says Albright, who is currently a student at IUPUI earning a degree in philanthropic studies. “Everyone loved the idea.” In 2018 they created The Melanie and Rosalie Albright Foundation, with the tagline “Breathing life into theatre.”

They found that what kids need most is help paying for artistic endeavors, including production fees, vocal lessons, dance classes, art lessons and theater workshops. Albright had heard kids say they could only afford to pursue one interest. The foundation’s needs-based and enrichment-based scholarships, however, can help students’ families afford additional opportunities. “We want to make sure that anybody who wants to try anything that’s performing arts related can do so,” says Albright, noting that when it comes to theater, it takes a village to create the magic. People are needed to build sets, take care of props and costumes, do hair and makeup, provide lighting and sound, handle audio-visual elements, play music in the pit orchestra, and more. From its founding until 2020, The Melanie and Rosalie Albright Foundation awarded $750 in scholarships. In 2021 they have awarded $1,400 in scholarships. “Kids can come here, trusting that they have somebody in their corner,” Albright says. “We want to provide a safe place for these kids to be who they are.” For more information about The Melanie and Rosalie Albright Foundation, visit themrafoundation.org, or facebook.com/ MRAFoundation. To register to become an organ donor, visit unos.org.

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HEAR THEM ROAR INDIANA LYONS UNDERTAKE FOURTH SEASON

Owners, Tyrone & Deborah Brown

of all, patrons continued to support them.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided by TOPPLevel Photo

As the saying goes, “What’s old becomes new again,” and such is the case for the resurrected American Basketball Association (ABA), a men’s professional basketball league that existed from 1967 to 1976 until the ABA merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The ABA relaunched in 2000 and now has 150 teams across the United States, Mexico, Australia and the Bahamas. In 2018, local business owners Tyrone and Deborah Brown started a franchise in Hendricks County when they launched the Indiana Lyons. Little did they know that a global pandemic would surface in two years. Nevertheless, they didn’t let that or any other hurdle deter them.

“It was a challenge but also an opportunity for us to have a season with no setbacks,” Tyrone Brown says. They currently have no restrictions or mandates, though that is subject to change at any time.

Last year they followed the guidance of the Hendricks County Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which included reducing crowd size by twothirds, requiring masks, doing temperature checks, and distancing everyone by 6’. They never did have to cancel a game. Best DECEMBER 2021

Navigating the unknown has been the most challenging part of growing this ball club. “We haven’t had a road to follow, but that just means we’ve been able to create our own road,” Brown says. “I think we’ve done a good job, but we can do better. We always try to set a tone of excellence.” The Indiana Lyons are the 2021 ABA North Central Region champions, having ended their regular season last year at 20-4. “It was our first divisional championship,” Brown says. “That’s an accomplishment. That win made us feel like our work was not in vain.” Though a lot of people still aren’t aware that the Lyons exist, as word has spread, community support has swelled, leading to more fans. The Browns know each face that comes through the doors because they engage with fans at every game. “My wife is at the door 99% of the time taking tickets,” Brown says. “We go into the crowd and introduce ourselves and say hello, especially if you’re new. We make sure someone from our organization comes over and speaks to you. We recognize that people can be anywhere on a Saturday at 5 p.m., so for them to come visit us, we think that’s special. We want to make sure they feel special when they come into the Lyons’ den.”

They have a motto: “Once you enter the Lyons’ den, you’re part of the family.” Their top priority is ensuring that it remain a safe, fun, friendly environment. If there is an issue or concern, fans know who to go to. “If we had to stop a basketball game to address a major issue, we would do that,” Brown says. “We are responsible for the Lyons, for what comes in and goes out.” Last season they offered reduced rates for season ticket pricing and created more group tickets, simply because they knew economic times have been tough for many. “We worked hard to make sure we included our seasoned and new fans,” Brown says. “We’re a giving organization and will not turn anyone away. If someone is struggling and wants to get a ticket to a game, reach out to us and we will make sure to accommodate you.” This season the Lyons appointed Indianapolis native Jamarr Kegler

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as the new head coach. Due to COVID-19, this year the team did not hold typical tryouts, as they didn’t want to bring 200 to 300 men together into one space. This year’s team will consist of both returning and new players, ranging in age from 18 to 36.

The goal is to get them noticed by scouts so they may be recruited by other professional leagues. For instance, hometown hero Dillon Ware graduated from Danville High School two years ago and has a great shot of going pro.

Seeing their vision for the team come to fruition has been a blessing for the Browns. They have especially enjoyed witnessing the growth of the players, both on and off the court.

“We play with the 24-second shot clock, 12-minute quarters and 48-minute games,” Brown says. “Playing in an NBA fashion allows scouts to see that talent.”

“I like to see them grow into entrepreneurs and businessmen,” Brown says. “I like to see them embrace adversity.”

The Browns also enjoy watching the camaraderie that develops amongst the players, a few of whom have been with the team since its inception such as Mike Pugh, Mike Carter, Preston

DECEMBER 2021

Case, and Kendric Lee. “Those four guys are fan favorites,” says Brown, noting that spectators travel from Illinois and Kentucky to watch them play. Since they began streaming games, people have watched from Florida, Georgia, Texas and elsewhere. The organization’s leaders decided to stream games in order to give people an opportunity to see the action if they can’t make it to the games in person. It also helps to attract sponsorships. Every dollar earned goes back into player development as there are travel, lodging and equipment expenses. “Streaming gives us a chance to advertise our products and be seen by a larger audience, and to also be taken seriously that this is a semi-pro team in Hendricks County,” Brown says. “We can’t go into every restaurant and store and hand out a business card, but through our streaming we might be able to reach more people.” Of course, they prefer in-person fans because players can get a boost in performance with people there cheering for them. Fans can also interact with the players as they take time after games to take pictures and sign autographs. Sometimes they even allow fans into the locker room for the pregame speech. In

DECEMBER 2021

addition they have ball boys, who engage in pregame activities. “Going forward, we would like to get more young folks involved, from concession to greeters,” Brown says. “We’d like to get them off their tablets and cell phones and involved in the games.” In the off-season, the Lyons host various youth sports camps where registrants are taught life, sporting and mentorship skills. “We want to be humble servants, serving the community in every facet of what we do on a daily basis,” Brown says. The Indiana Lyons play at the historic Bosstick Gym, located at 49 North Wayne Street in Danville. The facility seats 1,000 people, and the Browns would like to see it at full capacity. “When players go into a gym and see that many people supporting them, that makes them feel like there’s nothing they

can’t accomplish,” Brown says. “It also sends a signal to our opponent that this community is behind this team.” If you’re looking for a fun way to spend a few hours on the weekend, come check out the Lyons. Parking is free. Concessions and merchandise are affordable. Fans can have a lot of fun for under $20. “We make sure everyone has a good time, win or lose, from the initial inception into the arena until the time they leave,” Brown says. “I think people will be surprised at the skill level and talent that’s associated with the Indiana Lyons.” This year the team will play a total of 25 games (14 at home and 11 on the road). For information about community programs, sponsorships, special nights, alumni games, internships and gameday opportunities, contact Tyrone Brown at tyronebrown@ indianalyons.com, and visit indianalyons.com.

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Struggling to stay active this winter? Doctors recommend that adults get 150 minutes of activity per week - a goal that can be hard to meet when the weather gets dreary. Staying active is important for your overall health, and can lower your blood pressure, improve your circulation, boost levels of good cholesterol and much more. These four tips will help you prepare for the cold days ahead.

Make a plan.

Establish a schedule to set yourself up for success. Many prefer to work out right before or after work or school, but decide what feels right for you. Start by thinking about activities you like to do, and see which can be modified to be done indoors or in cold weather. Then, create a routine that outlines what you’ll do on each day and for how long. Making a plan before working out often helps to keep you on track and focused on the activity you’re completing.

Make the small things count.

Whether its opting for the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther than normal from a store’s entrance, it’s important to make the small things count during the winter months. If your day ends after the sun sets, taking a short walk outside during your lunch break may be the best opportunity to get your daily dose of vitamin D. Make sure to bundle up and dress in layers to stay dry and warm.

Check out online resources.

Today we have a world of resources at our fingertips. See what exercise videos can be found online, and get moving. You can even search for specific workouts like pilates, cycling and yoga. Many studios offer virtual training sessions that can be done from the comfort of your home with little to no equipment. Find what works best for you and you’ll be working out at home in no time.

Join a local gym or recreation center.

Joining a gym or recreation center gives you access to hundreds of training options. From free weights to treadmills and sometimes a pool, these centers give you the freedom of variety to work on all parts of your physical health. Many gyms offer a robust schedule of fitness classes for their patrons to sample. A quick search online will reveal what options are available in your area.

A Holly Jolly Time The Yuletide Festival at Connection Pointe Returns

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

In 2020, when COVID-19 took hold, the staff and congregation at Connection Pointe Christian Church began praying about what they could do to offer a bit of hope and light to the community during the holiday season. At the same time, the Brownsburg Parks staff was gearing up for their annual Christmas Under the Stars night parade. The event invites businesses, civic groups and local churches from all over Hendricks County to register a float to participate in a free light show for the community. Instead of making these two events separate, leaders of the two entities decided to collaborate, combining their space, resources and experience to host the Brownsburg Yuletide Festival. The three-weekend holiday festival, which includes twinkling lights, ice skating, classic holiday drivein movies, a parade, food and fellowship, will take place December 4 to 18 (Fridays 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.). “We realized that we have different but similar goals,” says Denise McCleese, director of strategy and engagement at Connection Pointe. “We at Connection Pointe unapologetically want to reach people for Jesus, but we also want to be a hope and a value in our community as we do that. The TownePost.com / DECEMBER 2021 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 25

town wants to provide light and hope, too, by bringing families and the community together.” Though leaders were limited in what they could do due to COVID-19 restrictions, they brainstormed and came up with several fun, family-friendly ideas such as drive-in movies and ice skating. “Ice skating was super popular and sold out quickly,” McCleese says. “The movies people loved, because it wasn’t even an option to go to the theater last year.” She recalls seeing grandparents pull their vehicle up alongside a car with their

grandchildren to watch a film as a family, as that was the closest they could get to hanging out together. Thankfully, that’s not the case this year. “Brownsburg Parks is excited to partner with Connection Pointe Christian Church to bring back our annual Breakfast with the Grinch as part of the Yuletide Festival activities,” says Amber Lane, assistant director of Brownsburg Parks. On Saturday, December 11, this popular event is coming back to the community, and new to this year’s schedule is Breakfast with Elsa and Olaf on Saturday, December

18. Each event costs $20 per person and features a catered breakfast with characters. Registration for both is required. The Yuletide Festival will also feature live music and a variety of food trucks. There will be igloos on the property where families can eat the goodies they purchase, though the church building will also be open. Everyone who comes to the Yuletide Festival can watch a drive-in movie, get a hot chocolate and decorate a cookie for no charge. Ice skating costs $5 per person plus a $3 skate rental. In addition, attendees can

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purchase an on-site wristband for $5, which includes a train ride, curling, an inflatable interactive snow globe, a petting zoo, reindeer, and a carriage ride. The Christmas Under the Stars parade kicks off the festivities at 6 p.m. on December 4. The route will start at Brown Elementary and move north on Eastern Avenue to Main Street. Drivers will turn west onto Main Street toward Green Street. Finally, the route heads north of Green Street to end at the Arbuckle Commons on Enderly Avenue.

Parade observers are then encouraged to visit the Yuletide Festival at Connection Pointe Christian Church for photos with Santa, a petting zoo, ice skating, and a drive-in movie in the parking lot (“The Polar Express”). The festival wraps up on the evening of December 18 with a fireworks finale. To make the Yuletide Festival a success requires 1,100 two-hour volunteer spots, but the congregants at Connection Pointe are excited to do their part to help make Christmas magical.

“I think our community can continue to get better as the town, the schools and the churches all work together,” McCleese says. “We hope that this event is a catalyst for our community to nurture these types of relationships.” Connection Pointe Christian Church is located at 1800 North Green Street in Brownsburg. For more information about the Brownsburg Yuletide Festival at Connection Pointe, call 317-852-2221. To see the full festival schedule, visit brownsburgchristmas.com.

TownePost.com / DECEMBER 2021 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 27

No Shame, Only Sanctuary Safe Haven Baby Box Installed at Brownsburg Fire Station Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

In August of 1972, a woman was brutally attacked and raped, then left alongside a road. Though the rapist was arrested and charged, this woman’s life was forever changed. Besides enduring the physical and emotional trauma of the attack, she later learned she was pregnant. Pulled from high school, she gave birth in April of 1973, and because she did not feel equipped to raise a baby, she abandoned her daughter two hours after she was born. Thankfully, this little girl, later named Monica Kelsey, was adopted by two loving parents. Kelsey’s adoptive mother had given birth to a son in 1970, but the day after he was born, he passed away. Because she was a Type 1 diabetic,

doctors advised her not to have any more children, as doing so would risk her health. She and her husband hoped to adopt a son, but when they got a call that an infant girl needed a home, their plans pivoted. Fast forward years down the road, when Kelsey’s best and worst day of her life were wrapped into one. “That was the day I got to meet my biological mom, which was great, but it was also the day I found out that I was abandoned and that my biological father was a rapist,” Kelsey says.

Nevertheless, after getting this devastating news, she struggled to find her worth. To cope, she buried herself in her work as a medic and firefighter. “I was on an ambulance seven nights a week,” Kelsey says. “The more lives I saved, the more I felt worthy of a life of my own.” In the midst of all this, Kelsey went to Cape Town, South Africa, where she

She describes her husband Joe as her saving grace. “He navigated me through the process,” Kelsey says.

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found herself at the only church that had what was known as a “baby safe.” Being a firefighter, she knew about the safehaven laws in America that decriminalize leaving an unharmed infant with statutorily designated persons so that the child becomes a ward of the state. She liked the idea of taking the face-toface interaction out of surrender, and protecting the mother from being seen should she choose to remain anonymous. An idea was sparked and on her flight home, she drew on an airplane napkin what would later become a Safe Haven Baby Box. Upon returning to the states, she sought help to construct her vision. She also reached out to her legislator. Then she proceeded to build a nonprofit organization, file the paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service, build a board,

and launch her mission. Protecting babies was important to her, not only because she, herself, had been abandoned as an infant, but also because firefighters and first responders have to witness horrific moments in their careers. For instance, in December of 2014, a baby was found deceased in Eagle Creek woods.

“She had been out there a long time because half of her arms and legs were missing from animals gnawing at her,” Kelsey says. “Anyone who finds a baby in that condition will never be the same again.” If a mother chooses to surrender her baby, one alternative is to hand it over to a person. However, there are times when

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women don’t feel safe doing so. A mother can call a crisis hotline and a trained psychologist will walk her though her options. “Should she choose the safe-haven law after having all of her options revealed to her, I’m not going to talk her out of it because then it may feel like I’m shaming or judging her,” says Kelsey, whose heart walks alongside these mothers on their journey towards healing and peace. “We have to trust that she’s making the best decision for her. Their life is in a crisis that you and I may never understand.”

Monica with two babies that have been saved

The first Baby Box was installed in April of 2016. First, a hole is cut in the side of a firehouse, as if a window were going to be installed. The box is then installed in such a way that the outside is accessible for the mom to place her baby, which will be retrieved from the fire station employees on the inside. The babies are placed in medical bassinets that are heated and cooled, so they are comfortable for the newborns. There is also a soft light inside. When the mom is ready to safely surrender her newborn, she opens the outside door and immediately a 911 call goes out. A second alarm sounds when the baby is placed inside the box, at which point the outside door locks. That alarm is not connected to the first alarm, as this acts as a backup system. Should the mom change her mind about leaving the baby, at this point she has to wait for fire and medical personnel to arrive, which happens quickly. The longest time a baby has been in a box has been four minutes and 20 seconds. The average time is two minutes. “We know a baby’s life is on the line so we make sure these babies get care immediately by medical personnel,” Kelsey says. To install a Baby Box, a community must raise $10,000. Once it’s installed, the installation company maintains them, changing any electronics and making any necessary updates or repairs. The $10,000 not only covers the cost of the install,

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but also includes marketing (such as billboards, training and signage), alerting the community to the fact that one exists. In April of 2021, a Safe Haven Baby Box was installed at Brownsburg Fire Station 131, located at 55 East Main Street. The Sertoma Club of Brownsburg donated $6,000. Another $6,000 was donated by the Knights of Columbus of St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg.

parents.

in Peru, Ecuador, South Africa, Japan, Canada, and throughout the U.S. “I think Within three weeks of its release, the book people just want to hear the hope that life became an Amazon best seller. It has also brings.” prompted interest in installing baby boxes across the country. To find a Safe Haven location or to speak to a licensed counselor, call the national “I took my pain and turned it into Safe Haven crisis hotline at 866-992purpose,” says Kelsey, who takes her 2291. For more information about Safe message across the globe, having spoken Haven Baby Boxes, visit shbb.org. N OW N OW N OW N OW

“We knew this was a valuable resource for mothers who are in crisis,” says Zach Bowers, division chief of Brownsburg’s emergency medical service. “The Baby Box gives these women another option to keep their baby safe anonymously.”

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In the last four years, 12 babies have been surrendered in these boxes. Two of the 12 mothers who surrendered their babies now volunteer with the organization. “That speaks volumes,” says Kelsey, who has three grown children of her own. As for her birth mother, she never had another child, which is common with rape victims. She passed away the year before the first Baby Box was installed, but she knew what Kelsey was spearheading and was proud of it. “I think this work is helping to give my birth mom peace,” Kelsey says. “For her to save a child who is now saving the lives of others by being a medic and a firefighter, and now with the Baby Boxes, she was very proud.” For years, Kelsey had been writing down her thoughts and experiences for a book she planned to publish one day. When her dad, whom she describes as her biggest fan, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, she knew she had to get the book out there. In May of 2021, “Blessed to Have Been Abandoned: The Story of the Baby Box Lady” was released. She chose the title because she feels blessed with the way her life has unfolded, and the fact that she was gifted with two wonderful

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