Geist Magazine August 2023

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KEY CONTRIBUTORS

BRANDY CUNNINGHAM / AMIE DRUDGE / AMY PAYNE / CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING LEAH ROBERTS / MATT KEATING / RENEE LARR / WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY

SUPPORTIVE SOIRÉE

THE DONAIDE FOUNDATION TO HOST LUAU TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Steve Roseman, the founder and CEO of Donaide, says he is looking forward to The Donaide Foundation’s 2023 luau event, and hopes to get a strong turnout.

The Donaide Foundation empowers people to engage in positive daily habits and activities to help support mental health.

The event will be held at The Club at Crosspoint, located at 9800 Crosspoint Boulevard in Indianapolis. It will feature an authentic luau-style dinner, live music, hula dancers, a fire dancer performance, a silent auction and fundraising activities. All of the proceeds from the event will support mental health programs in the Fishers and Noblesville communities.

“Donaide is a nonprofit marketplace,” Roseman says. “It’s a place for people to support their local community. WEDO is my other company that provides mobile bidding technology for nonprofits.”

The Donaide Foundation’s luau event is a positive way to help people with mental health challenges, according to Roseman.

“This event will further support health programs for Fishers and Noblesville residents,” Roseman says. “We assist with depression, anxiety, suicide prevention, loneliness, addiction, etcetera.”

Roseman says sciences have proven that real relationships, selfless acts of kindness, self-awareness and constant action will change a person’s life positively.

The Donaide Foundation also brings people together to find a positive solution to mental health problems.

“We know the power of human connection can transform lives,” Roseman says. “We

have created peer-based programming to provide opportunities for positive, genuine and healthy conversations to unite people. Our programming will be focused on the areas of mental health, physical well-being and financial literacy.”

Roseman adds that The Donaide Foundation also brings together families, friends, business colleagues and complete strangers to put together positive mental momentum in the community.

Luau event sponsorships are available for the event. A $10,000 Host Sponsorship includes a sponsorship brochure and all media ads, save-the-dates, corporate sponsorship packets, and event invites. It also includes an

event banner and large signage, a Donaide Foundation website and a WEDO site page, table signage, presence in The Donaide Foundation’s social media, 20 guest tickets, and VIP benefits and seating.

Host sponsorships also include a speaking and video opportunity, recognition from the stage, a post-event recognition on social platforms and the official website, and post event recognition in a thank-you ad. Partnership, companion and party sponsorships are also available.

Go to donaide.wedoauctions.com for additional event details. For more information on Donaide and WEDO, visit donaide.com and wedocharityauctions.com.

Writer / Matt Keating

TERRIFIC TWOSOME

MEET REALTORS STEVE AND JADA GREEN

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographers / Brandy Cunningham & Leah Roberts

After working for more than three decades as a firefighter, Steve Green knew that he should begin to think about transitioning to a less physically demanding career.

“Firefighting is my heart and my passion, but I didn’t want to end up having a knee, ankle or arm injury that would keep me from working,” says Steve, a seasoned athlete who has participated in numerous races throughout the course of his life. Some of his favorites include the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, the Leadville Trail 100 bike race, and the World Police & Fire Games. His most recent races are the Arizona IRONMAN and the Indiana IRONMAN, both of which he completed in 2021.

Steve was out with a group of friends in Geist during the solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, when he met Jada, another athlete with a zest for life. Having grown up on a lake, Jada was a fantastic waterskier. In college she joined the Indiana University Waterski Club, was the Midwest regional champion in both tricks and slalom skiing, and participated in four National Championships. Driven and motivated, Steve and Jada have spent their lives embracing hard work and perseverance. So it’s no surprise that the two hit it off.

Jada was familiar with the real estate world, as both of her parents worked in the industry.

“I said I’d never go into real estate because I didn’t want to work nights and weekends,” she says. “But then I learned that there’s flexibility and freedom in real estate.”

She also loves people. In fact, she says her real estate superpower is her ability to meet people where they are and provide what they need at the moment.

“That need is different for everyone,” says Jada, who has sold more than 2,000 houses throughout her 20-plus-year career.

After the pair met, Steve began periodically helping Jada. After a while, he realized he’d like to do it full time.

The couple tied the knot at Daniel’s Vineyard in Geist on June 2, 2019. Later that year, Steve got his real estate license, and they’ve been working as a team ever since.

Jada has worked with Carpenter Realtors for her entire career. After she married Steve, she opened a Carpenter office in Geist. In just two years they have added 13 additional agents to the office.

“Every real estate transaction is like a snowflake. They’re all unique. You take information and experience from every single one to the next. All of that impacts what you bring to the table for that next transaction.”

Steve will officially retire from firefighting next month, having put in 35 years as a public servant.

The couple resides in Geist and could not be happier living the lake life, which includes swimming, kayaking, boating and paddleboarding with family and friends.

“Steve and I are constantly on the go and working hard, so when we come home, this is our sanctuary where we can decompress and enjoy time together,” says Jada. “We also like to be out at sunrise surfing or skiing before we head to work.”

“It’s great living here because working in the real estate world, we don’t have the ability to drive a couple of hours to a lake since we have to be available to our clients,” adds Steve.

At times they have taken their laptops out on the boat or had to drop passengers at the dock, in order to zip out for a showing.

Mostly, Steve and Jada are excited to serve the people of Geist. As a couple, they share a boatload of experience, abundant energy and service-minded hearts. When you hire Steve and Jada, you get Steve and Jada - not a junior member of a large team.

“We tend to do well with different personalities because people will connect with one or the other of us, and our clients appreciate having both of our perspectives,” says Jada, who points out that real estate is not about houses - it’s about relationships.

“Every real estate transaction is like a snowflake,” she says. “They’re all unique. You take information and experience from every single one to the next. All of that impacts what you bring to the table for that next transaction.”

Helping people through the process is their favorite part.

“With every transaction, there are always challenges,” Steve says. “Creating a game plan and having a solution to their problem is very rewarding.”

Steve and Jada’s office is located in the heart of Geist at 8150 Oaklandon Road, Suite 104 in Indianapolis. Contact Steve Green at steve@steveandjada.com or 317-413-2837. Contact Jada Green at jada@steveandjada. com or 317-800-1747. Visit steveandjada. com, or connect with them via social media @steveandjadarealestate on Instagram and @steveandjadarealestateteam on Facebook.

—Jada Green

In 2019 Duane Weber was pulling up to his last hockey match as a coach when he noticed kids in wheelchairs and with prosthetic limbs entering the building. He quickly realized he was witnessing a sled hockey match for children with disabilities.

“I started talking with some of the parents about their child’s involvement,” Weber says. “They started tearing up as they talked about its impact on their son. Then I started tearing up and thinking about ways to bring sled hockey to Indianapolis.”

In April of 2019, Weber created the Indy Steel Sled Hockey program with donated equipment, utilizing his contacts in youth hockey. Sled Hockey is open to children aged 5 to 18 and adults. Weber says they had about five participants the first year, and now four years later, they have grown to about 25 participants.

The game itself is similar to ice hockey in

KEEP IT ON ICE

INDY SLED HOCKEY HAS FOUND RAPID SUCCESS

Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

terms of rules, but differs in the equipment used. Players sit on a metal frame called a sled. Players have two smaller hockey sticks they hold while moving around the ice.

“One thing that makes sled hockey unique is the players use two sticks instead of one,” Weber says. “One end of the stick has metal pricks on it, and they use that to propel themselves around the ice. Then they can flip the stick over to the other end for moving the puck.”

Weber says he is tremendously excited that the competitive team won the Division 1 youth national championship in just four short years. He says what makes it even more remarkable is that they beat out close to 100 other teams.

“The cool thing about sled hockey is these kids want to compete at a high level like their able-bodied counterparts,” Weber says. “The only adaptation is the equipment and

how they utilize it.”

Weber says anyone can come out and try sled hockey for free. There are two levels for both adults and kids - recreational and competitive. He has some participants who enjoy the recreational aspect, and some who eventually want to go on and play for Team USA Paralympic ice hockey. Carmine Brown has played for four seasons and is someone Weber describes as highly driven.

“My mom received their newsletter detailing a hockey event, and she basically made me go,” Brown says. “It was a good thing she did because I loved it and am good at it. I love the physicality of the game and working with my team. I like traveling to the different tournaments and trying to better myself, especially when I see others I can learn from.”

For more information, visit indysledhockey.org.

Geist Charcuterie Customizes Boxes, Grazing Spreads and More, for Many an Occasion

Writer / Amie Drudge Photography Provided

Charcuterie - pronounced "shar-KOO-tər-ee" - involves preparing and presenting in the most diverse way.

This is a loose description that sums up Amber Ward’s company, and one that also feels much like her remarkable journey to becoming the founder and CEO of Geist Charcuterie. She has prepared for this moment her entire life, with a background in the food industry, teaching, becoming a mom to her two children, volunteering at her church and children’s schools, mentoring, serving, and giving back in many ways. What she has presented to the Geist community is not just food, but nourishment packaged in a beautiful, diverse manner.

Whether you’re going out on the lake with family or having a party of any sort, Ward will present a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable charcuterie box or table for you and your guests.

This is a family affair with her husband, Jonathan, and two children, Jalen, 21, and Meredith, 19, acting as her support staff. They live in Geist with their three dogs, Ollie, Tommie and Gus. When extra hands are needed, in true servant-leader fashion, she finds people in the community with unique and special needs to get the job done. She has utilized students from local high schools who need service hours, and her vision, as the business grows, is to hire people who need a second chance and mentor them along the way.

And that’s not all - her company just keeps on giving. She has found other small, niche food businesses and partnered with them to make her grazing boxes more diverse and delicious. One young business owner makes the cookies that go inside the boxes, and this has given the young woman belief in herself to continue her very own small business.

Geist Charcuterie has been in the making for more than 20 years, but officially became a company in 2022. Organic growth often yields the best product, and Ward’s roots in

the food industry, teaching, volunteering, and serving her community have all come together to make this business what it is today - a food experience that is nothing short of spectacular.

The Pride of

56th STREET

THE BUSH BROTHERS SHARE A SPECIAL BOND THROUGH EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AT LAWRENCE SCHOOLS

Two brothers, both principals of Lawrence schools, represent what many students and educators call “the pride of 56th Street.”

Victor Bush Jr., principal of Belzer Middle School, and Franklyn Bush, principal of Lawrence Central High School, both on 56th Street, say they have witnessed firsthand how many students have risen to the challenge to pursue excellence

in their studies. They have also seen their schools continuously improve.

Victor says that before receiving the honor to serve as the Belzer Middle School principal, he had the privilege of being a Belzer parent.

“As a Belzer parent I always appreciated the educational opportunities, fun learning experiences and supportive staff members

that my children were blessed to encounter on a daily basis,” Victor says. “I literally watched my children transition from Harrison Hill Elementary to Lawrence Central. During their transition I learned about the true greatness of Belzer Middle School firsthand. The Belzer staff was always on point when it came to student-centered customer service.”

Franklyn says he has seen steady

Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Walker Photography

Franklyn Bush and Victor Bush Jr.

improvements at Lawrence Central High School.

“It's due to our strong community relationships, parent partnerships and a very intentional focus on providing opportunities for our students,” Franklyn says. “We take pride in being a central hub of support, care and resources for our school community.”

Victor was equally impressed with the academic opportunities his children received as members of the Belzer learning community.

“Going into Belzer, I wasn’t sure about what Honor Bound was or what effect it would have on my son, Braxton, but from day one through his senior year in high school, Braxton always shared his sincere appreciation for his teacher, Vincent Alexander, and the life lessons that he learned in his advanced English language arts class for predominantly African American males,” he says. “As a matter of fact, to solidify his appreciation for his Honor Bound experience, Braxton selected Mr. Alexander as his honored educator during his senior year at Lawrence Central. In my opinion, that speaks volumes about the impact of the Belzer staff.”

As the principal of Belzer, Victor says he is committed “to ensuring that each student that we get to serve receives equitable access and support to become champions of character in the classroom, throughout the Lawrence community and on various fields of competition.”

Victor adds that he wants every student to feel as if they belong to the Belzer Family.

“I want all of my students to know that they have caring adults that are going to expose them to excellence, by leading by example and pushing them to own their learning while striving for nothing less than their best,” Victor says. “I also want all of my

students to understand the importance of making positive decisions, overcoming challenges and making great things happen for others as well as themselves - the Belzer way. My expectations are definitely high, but I truly believe that with our strong team of teacher leaders, continuous improvements in our instructional practices, amazing curricular and co-curricular opportunities, plus improved efforts to foster as well as recognize greatness, Belzer will continue to be a special place for all children and consistently tilt the needle of student achievement towards excellence.”

Victor believes “the pride of 56th Street” belief has trickled down from the top.

“Dr. Shawn Smith is a dynamic servant leader that always takes pride in everything that he does to make [Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township] the district of destination,” Victor says. “From the day that my brother, Principal Franklyn Bush, received the keys to the Bear nation, he has been on a mission to instill or rekindle a sense of pride in every student and alum that has ever walked the halls of Lawrence Central High School. In doing so, he was allowed to develop a leadership team that shared common visions and were ready to roll up their sleeves to make great things happen on East 56th Street!”

Although he was an assistant principal at Lawrence North at the time, Victor says he was impressed and encouraged with the way Principal Franklyn Bush took the challenge presented by Dr. Smith to make Lawrence Central High School a great place for young adults to grow.

“This included student cheer blocks, homecoming dances and competitive co-curricular activities,” Victor says. “Getting the right people on the bus. High expectations partnered with high levels of student support. Challenging students to believe in the power of the gray and strength of the maroon. Who

wouldn’t want to be a part of something this special? When I became the principal at Belzer, the pride of 56th Street blueprint was already under construction. All I had to do was be smart and humble enough to follow my baby brother Franklyn’s lead. In doing so, Belzer is definitely on the move and has joined the pride of 56th Street movement.”

Franklyn says the pride of 56th Street brand has helped both Lawrence schools.

“When I got Lawrence Central we didn't have much focus on our brand, so I created a marketing team with several key members involved and led by our freshman school Principal Mr. Gatewood,” Franklyn says. “He and members of his team created a design and slogan, and it fit perfectly with our vision and what we're about. Lawrence Central has such a rich history of excellence and great community partnerships, we wanted something that would stick with our alumni, our current families and students, along with our future Bears.”

Franklin says there are ways that students and parents can continue to improve their schools.

“They can continue to be involved, find time to volunteer, and promote the great opportunities and things happening,” Franklyn says. “We serve all students and families and take pride in our diverse school community. Without our students’ and parents’ involvement, a lot of the great things that happen won't exist.”

When Franklyn was announced as the 2022-2023 district administrator of the year, Victor says he actually felt like a proud father.

“I literally stood up and yelled, ‘Go Bears!’” Victor says. “I stopped myself from running up on stage to give Franklyn a humongous hug, and sent my entire family a text in honor of his special recognition. In the

“It's due to our strong community relationships, parent partnerships and a very intentional focus on providing opportunities for our students. We take pride in being a central hub of support, care and resources for our school community.”

— Franklyn Bush, principal of Lawrence Central High School

text I said, ‘A job well done, sir!’ As a new principal, he has often provided me with major guidance, support, and even redirected me when I wasn’t thinking clearly. It’s almost like he’s my little big brother if that makes sense. Frank and his team of building leaders have done an amazing job making Lawrence Central the place to be.”

“Excellence in academics, athletics and the arts is what we expect on 56th Street, and Lawrence Central sets the tone on the west side of the district, in my opinion,” Victor adds.

Victor says he and Franklyn have a lot of similarities.

“Our pathways to serve in the field of education are so similar in nature, one might think that we had our career pathways mapped out together,” he says. “In a nutshell, I must admit that it’s been God’s plan all along. Who would ever think that two brothers from a loving family, but singleparent home, would end up being principals in the same district with schools that support each other right across the street?”

Victor adds that he and Franklyn had a lot of fun growing up.

“We grew up in the same house watching ‘ThunderCats’

and eating all the cereal up every Saturday morning,” Victor says. “We played varsity basketball for legendary Coach Jack Keefer. We graduated from Lawrence North High School. We graduated with our bachelor’s degrees from the same college, Indiana Institute of Technology,

Franklyn, meanwhile, says Victor has done a great job at Belzer.

“He's the standard of excellence to me,” Franklyn says. “He has a heavy focus on positive outcomes for students and finding ways to support his staff. He's also a winner. Everywhere he's been, he has been a part of a winning tradition. He helps kids win at life, he helps staff win pursuing the goals, and helps programs win at the highest level. Going into education was a way for me to give back and to be involved with helping kids. My brother paved the way, and my wife stayed on me for years, after I graduated with my bachelor's in business management/administration, to go back and get my education degree.”

Franklyn adds that he was inspired by Victor.

and we completed the transition to teaching programs after receiving our degrees in business administration. We also graduated from Butler University’s Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals program, and we even laugh at the same silly things. But principals across the street from each other? That’s God’s plan. It’s truly a blessing to have such an enormous responsibility, but it makes it even better to share the experience with my brother. The pride of 56th Street is truly a family affair. Go Bears!”

“My brother was an instructional assistant and coach at Lawrence North when I was a student there,” Franklyn says. “I got to see the daily impact he had on so many students. My wife was also relentless about me pursuing my education degree and it was the best thing for me. I would spend lots of time in her classroom helping in different ways and I really enjoyed being around kids. I changed out of the business world and started my road in education.”

“I want all of my students to know that they have caring adults that are going to expose them to excellence, by leading by example and pushing them to own their learning while striving for nothing less than their best.”

—Victor Bush Jr., principal

of Belzer Middle School

THE BE FOUNDATION

NONPROFIT ENDEAVORS TO MAKE SENSE OF TRAGEDY AND LIFT UP OTHERS

Writer / Amie Drudge

Photography Provided

Aphotograph wields such power. A single moment is captured, and one is instantly transported back to that beautiful second in time. I am of the opinion that a foundation is much like a photograph, except on a much larger scale - a hope of capturing not just a single moment, but an entire life well-lived. A deep desire to make sure a loved one’s journey isn’t soon forgotten.

The BE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was created for just this reason - to remember the lives of identical twins lost tragically to a driver under the influence, and to give back to the world all that it lost on that tragic day. Elleana and Isabella Gaddis came into this world together on August 29, 2003, and left arm in arm, together… just as they entered, a few days short of their 18th birthdays. They loved children, animals, people, outdoors, music and art. To be in their presence was to feel love. This made the mission statement easy, as it is a reflection of all that was inside them: BE good, BE kind, BE love.

The foundation was started by their mom - me - and stepdad, Cori Drudge. The board consists of the girls’ tribe and the village that helped them grow - Ayden Gaddis (their beloved brother), as well as Lana and Jason Kren, along with their daughter, Lauren.

Monies given to the foundation go directly to those who cross our paths in need of a bit of goodness, kindness and love - a single mom needing a car to get to work so she can support her little ones, a blind man needing a support animal, a family who suffered a tragedy and needed a little extra help, a young man who lost his

A recent contribution from the BE Foundation was an art and music playground at Little Explorers Preschool, where both of the girls worked. The playground had a grand opening on July 15.

BE GOOD, BE KIND, BE LOVE.

parents suddenly and couldn’t pay the bills. The list goes on, but one thing we know to be true is that Belle and Elle’s hearts beat on with each act of love. The foundation, like a photograph, captures the beautiful gifts that were theirs, and then continues to give, filling up the hearts of this empty world.

A recent contribution from the BE Foundation was an art and music playground at Little Explorers Preschool, where both of the girls worked. The playground had a grand opening on July 15. Some of the girls’ students showed up with their parents to honor them.

A foundation is certainly a labor of love. At times the grief feels too heavy to continue, but we strongly feel the girls calling us to carry on with the work of healing hearts, one act of kindness at a time.

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August 29 is a special day - the girls’ birthdays. On this day we will celebrate by raising funds. If you wish to donate, scan in the QR code and help us BE good, BE kind, BE love!

For more details, go to befoundation.info.

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