Our community has once again proven its generosity and compassion in 2023. As we reflect on the past months, we're immensely grateful for the incredible support and contributions our Members and Co-Workers have made to our various causes. Each gesture, no matter how big or small, has made a significant impact on the lives of those in need.
February: Warm Hugs in the Form of Pajamas
In the chilly month of February, our members opened their hearts and donated a total of 60 cozy pajamas to the MAKS Organization. Making a Kid Smile (MAKS) is a non-profit, located in Northwest Indiana that provides personal care and comfort items for local foster children in need. Those donated pajamas were a source of comfort and warmth to the many children in the foster care system.
April: Stepping Forward, One Pair of Shoes at a Time
With the arrival of April, we laced up our compassion and donated an impressive 964 pairs of shoes to the Changing Footprints Organization. Changing Footprints is a Green organization, that accepts any kind, size, or condition of shoes and donates them to those in need. Any damaged shoes are repurposed into playground materials and avoid ending up in a landfill. Our members walked the talk, proving that each step taken can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
May: Extending Hope and Care to Those in Need
The month of May saw our community unite to support the Franciscan Health Center for Hope by donating 79 essential items like sweatpants, t-shirts, and stuffed animals to the worthy cause. The Center for Hope’s goal is to restore dignity to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse and human trafficking with trauma services and care. These contributions spread hope and healing to those in need, reminding us of the positive impact we can have on others' lives.
June: Empowering Women Through Essential Supplies
In June, we embraced the Chesterton High School, student led, Pink Box Project by contributing 61 boxes of feminine products like tampons and pads to local schools and women’s shelters in the area. This amazing initiative empowered young individuals to make a difference in their community and emphasized the importance of personal care and dignity. July: Brightening Futures with School Supplies Our community rallied together to support the Duneland School District through our School Supplies drive in July. A remarkable 670 school supplies were generously donated, ensuring that young minds will have the tools they needed to succeed.
August: Compassion for Our Furry Friends In Need
August marked a month of compassion for our four-legged friends. Together, we collected 360 items for the Porter County Animal Shelter, providing comfort and care for fur babies waiting for their forever homes.
September: Supporting Mothers and Parents in Need
The spirit of giving continued as Members and Co-Workers contributed a staggering 1,785 diapers to the Franciscan Health Prenatal Assistance Program (P.A.P) in September’s Diaper Insecurity drive. Franciscan Health has a compassionate concern for families and therefore, has developed a program to help improve the quality of care for women and infants. P.A.P. offers a Diaper Pantry that is both for P.A.P. caregivers and open to the community for those in need. With your aid, we are offering support and assistance to mothers and parents facing these challenging times one diaper at a time.
October: Harvesting Hope with Food Drive Initiatives
In October, our community showcased its generosity once more by collecting 327 items during our Food Drive. These essential items were lovingly donated to the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry, ensuring that families in need had nourishing meals on their tables. Located right here in Chesterton, IN, the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry has provided food and supplies to those struggling with food insecurity throughout the Duneland community.
November: Spreading Joy with Angel Tree Initiatives
As the holiday season approached, our members' hearts overflowed with kindness and generosity. In November, we collected an incredible 340 angel tree items for Yost Elementary and a heartwarming 823 items for Chesterton High School. Through your generous contributions, countless children experienced the joy and magic of the holiday season, receiving gifts that brought smiles to their faces. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to FlashBang LLC for their extraordinary contribution of over $3,000 to our Angel Tree program. Their generosity has played a pivotal role in ensuring that many children in the Duneland community had a Merry Christmas, serving as Santa's helpers and spreading joy throughout the season.
December: Coats for a Caring Community
Continuing to embrace the spirit of giving, we are currently collecting coats for Brothers Keeper in our annual coat drive. Located in Gary, IN, the Brother’s Keeper’s Homeless Shelter is focused on affecting the lives of homeless men and families in need through their food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing distribution, as well as a warming/cooling center during extreme weather months. To date, we have collected an impressive 213 coats/hats/gloves, with more contributions pouring in. Your generosity will provide warmth and comfort to individuals in our community, demonstrating once again the power of collective kindness.
As we reflect on the past year, we are so grateful for the support, compassion, and generosity of our members. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making a meaningful difference in our community and bringing hope, joy, and warmth to those in need. Here's to another year of giving back, spreading kindness, and creating lasting impact.
Gearing up for the next year of giving, we welcome any potential partners who share our commitment to community impact. For details, please contact Programs Specialist Alexandria Montanez at alexandria.montanez@franciscanalliance.org or call 219-395-2138. We look forward to working together and making a positive difference.