April events raise awareness, cash

As we (hopefully) bid adieu to the winter of 2007-2008, a number of non profit organizations are gearing up for a new year of activity. For many of us, April 1 is the new year. United Way program funding begins April 1 for proceeds raised in the fall 2007 campaign, many organizations hold annual meetings and announce new plans, and various awareness and fund raising events mark the calendar.

The newest event on the local calendar marks its second year in our community on Sunday, April 27. The East Central Indiana Homeward Bound 5K Walk launched last year, raising $58,000 for the 12 participating organizations. This year, 14 organizations in Delaware and Madison counties are collaborating to reach a goal of $60,000 with the support of both county United Way organizations.

Homeward Bound is a project of the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues (ICHHI), a statewide non profit membership based organization that believes that everyone in Indiana should have a safe place to call home, a safety net of social services and a path to self-sufficiency. ICHHI is our technology partner for our Community Access Network initiative, and provides the technology and organizational support for Homeward Bound at eight sites across Indiana this month.

Homeward Bound began in 2003 with two goals: raise awareness of the issue of homelessness and raise operating funds for organizations serving the homeless. The East Central walk will again take place in the town of Chesterfield, with registration and activities beginning at Millcreek Civic Center at noon. The easiest way to participate is by registering and pledging online at www.homelesswalks.org. Groups can form teams, people can sign up individually, pledges can be made, and the actual walk can even be virtual (but you'll miss all the fun). Pledge forms and information can also be downloaded from our web site: www.unitedwaymadisonco.org (but pledging online saves a lot of manual labor).

The organizations participating in the local event are A Better Way/Family Services, Alternatives Incorporated, Beauty for Ashes Transitional Home, Bridges Community Service, Christian Center Rescue Ministries, Dove Harbor, House of Hope, Learning Choices/Muncie Community Schools, Open Door Community Services, Salvation Army of Anderson, Second Harvest Food Bank, Stepping Stones for Veterans, The Center for Mental Health and YMCA of Muncie. United Way of Madison County provides fiscal agent services for the event and works with United Way of Delaware County to promote general walk team participation.

The reason that I have supported this effort is that it is collaborative and issue-focused. It's very difficult to make money through special events because they are so labor-intensive and require up-front investments. Through its organizational network and high awareness, ICHHI provides a lot of that labor and investment, but local walks still have to get sponsors and walkers. The organizations have been working together since last June to make this event successful and fun. There is even a subcommittee on "hoopla".

Suggested participant goals are $125 per individual and $1,000 per team. Individuals raising $125 will receive a t-shirt and at $150 will also be entered into a prize drawing. $1,000 raised by an individual gets two prize drawings. Of course, all donations are gratefully accepted.

The statewide program has been chaired for the past three years by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, who remains a strong advocate. But this year new honorary chairs came onboard: Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, the founders and owners of Lucas Oil Products, and their son Morgan. Both Forrest and Charlotte grew up in Indiana and experienced times of need, and wanted to find a way to get involved upon their return to their home state. Lucas Oil Products is a statewide program partner with ICHHI, as are Lilly Endowment, Enterprise, National City, Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority and Great Lakes Capital Fund.

Locally, the walk is sponsored by Community Hospital Anderson, WQME 98.7, First Merchants Bank, Saint John's Health System and United Way. These sponsorships provide the promotional materials, technical support and "hoopla" for the event, but we need YOU to provide the $60,000 (or even more). It's spring. Take a walk for a good cause.