How to support local organizations this holiday
Give of your time and treasure this holiday season and year round. Mel McMahon, of Indiana Originals, explains how you can do just that:
Indiana Originals is helping simplify the search for local by providing a growing, statewide directory of locally owned and operated businesses headquartered in Indiana. Online and on their app, you can find today’s featured Indiana Originals members, all nonprofits building a better community!
Brandywine Creek Farms: Feeding the hungry and food insecure, Reaching at Risk Youth, Helping Veterans Start Their Own Farms – Brandywine Creek Farms donates all of their produce to food pantries, food banks, and day centers. They are also teaming up with Flanner House and will create the largest urban farm in the state, feeding those that need it most. They also teach those in need to farm and prepare healthy meals. They pass on their business and farming knowledge to veterans and help them create their own farms. To make a monetary donation or volunteer, visit www.brandywinecreekfarms.org.
Coburn Place: Empowering victims of intimate partner violence to live as survivors. Coburn Place has traditionally provided transitional housing for those fleeing domestic violence, and now they also offer expanding housing options in offsite units. Coburn provides their residents access to a pantry and right now supplies are low. Donations of canned fruit, paper towels, light bulbs, body wash, laundry detergent, and more are needed. To learn more and to see their complete wish list, visit www.coburnplace.org.
Re-Generation Indy: Spreading creativity to all generations through leading affordable art workshops and hosting Youth Art Shows. More than 30 local artists volunteer their time to promote expressing yourself, building confidence, and entrepreneurship. These fun and encouraging workshops are just $5, and unfortunately, some kids need help coming up with the money. To help supplement these affordable art workshops and assist kids with supplies, you can purchase art at various locations such as Yogulatte on Mass Ave or Henry’s on East St. Donations can also be made through The Anthenaeum Foundation, earmarked for Re-Generation Indy. For workshop schedules and more information, visit www.ReGenerationIndy.com.
Little Angel Gowns: Helping families during the devastating time of losing their baby. Their talented seamstresses repurpose wedding gowns, formals, and first communion dresses in to complimentary burial gowns for babies that are called to their heavenly home. They are funded solely by donations and work completely on a volunteer basis. Unfortunately, the demand for these gowns is high. They need more volunteers to make the gowns that go to more than 150 hospitals and funeral homes across the US and monetary donations to cover the overnight postage. For more information, visit littleangelgowns.org.
Purposeful Design: A fully-functioning wood shop specializing in handmade furniture made from rough cut, Indiana hardwoods. Purposeful Design employs and trains men who have been without a home or have found it difficult to get a job. They help rebuild their lives through positive, encouraging mentorship and employment. They design and build a variety of furniture and gifts, each handmade by their skilled craftsman. Every piece is one-of-a-kind. To see a full line of products, visit www.pdindy.com.
Energy Krazed: Developing fun, relevant, educational, and interactive programs that empower youth to take charge of their minds, bodies, and ultimately, their futures. Their programs increase the quality of life of young Hoosiers by teaching the importance of nutrition, physical and mental health, and mindfulness through a collaboration of students, parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and the community. Overall, the Energy Krazed program serves to increase resilience, decrease stress, and enhance health, happiness, self-worth, and academic performance. Monetary donations are needed to assist in funding physicians and educators, program incentives, facility costs, assessment costs, and health monitoring equipment. Visit www.energykrazed.org for more information.
Indiana Originals provides an online search engine and app to help consumers find Indiana based businesses and brands. We strive to create stronger, healthier communities and more jobs in Indiana by encouraging and facilitating a greater use of independent, Indiana owned businesses. All of our members are locally owned and operated businesses headquartered in Indiana. Our members increase identification and exposure of local businesses, encourage a local preference, make local easier to find and recirculate three to five times more money in our local economy than a chain headquartered out of state.
For more information, visit www.indianaoriginals.com/search_results.php?keyword=&category=207&location_id=&zip_miles=&submit_search=.