So, mark your calendar now to join us for Apple Fest on Monument Circle on Thursday, October 7 from 10am-3pm. Applebee’s is donating freshly-grilled sandwiches and chips so all proceeds from lunch will benefit programs for homeless and abused women and children. And bring a few extra bucks for some apples, because they’re seriously good!

Got a business or organization you’re looking to promote – how ’bout a booth at Apple Fest? Just $50 to reach about 1,000 lunchgoers with your message. Call Kristen at 224-1019 to learn more.

Just go here to buy tickets – but don’t just hit the ‘make a purchase’ button, click on the CLICK HERE and enter our promotional code SALVATIONARMY2010. Tickets can be used any time during the 2010 Indiana Beach season. Now THAT’S fun you can feel good about!

The Indianapolis Colts make headlines wherever they go – especially when they moved training camp back to Anderson University. And the city of Anderson has been grateful for the positive exposure.

This week, the Colts and the city teamed up to put others in the spotlight – five local charities, including The Salvation Army. With input from city officials, Colts owner Jim Irsay chose five charities as recipients of a $25,000 gift to make a difference in Anderson. “In talking to everyone on our staff, they all say the welcome [back to Anderson] has been tremendous,” said Colts owner Jim Irsay (pictured at left). “The makeover at the university has made this so different than it was in the ’80s and ’90s. We can bring literal money to the city and economic impact. But we can also bring inspiration. We want to do what we can even though we feel the impact as well.”

“We like to be part of the community and show our appreciation,” said Irsay, during a brief ceremony at the Kardatzke Wellness Center at Anderson University after the team’s morning practice. “The economy here has been tough on jobs and tough on charities. From those who are given a lot is expected a lot.”

Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon said the city had some say in where the money went. “We submitted the names of five organizations we felt were in great need of help,” Ockomon said. “They (the Colts) used three of our suggestions. They had two they wanted to include themselves. This helps these people continue to have hope.”

Five local nonprofits will share the $25,000 Colts’ donation equally

• Salvation Army
• The Christian Center
• The YMCA
• Anderson Black Expo
• Anderson Public Library

To access the article via The Herald Bulletin: http://heraldbulletin.com/breakingnews/x370355589/Colts-give-back-to-Anderson

http://heraldbulletin.com/breakingnews/x370355589/Colts-give-back-to-Anderson

Education is at the heart of Target’s giving and the Target School Spree is one of many ways that Target acts locally to help kids learn and schools teach, paving a path to graduation. As part the Target School Spree, Target awarded 39 of The Salvation Army divisions nationwide a total of $960,000 worth of Target GiftCards for the shopping sprees. Nearly 500 Target stores participated in the one-day Target School Spree event in select regions across the country, including four here in the metro Indy area – 38th Street, Glendale, Nora and Southport. Each $80 Target GiftCard awarded as part of the program provided a child with the necessary supplies to go back to school in the fall, ready to learn.

The shop took place on Tuesday night, right before IPS classes would resume for the year. We asked Captain Leti Crowell of our Eagle Creek center what the shop would mean to kids and families in programs in their neighborhood. She said, “school actually starts tomorrow for our kids and a lot of them don’t have anything they need for school yet.  This gift from Target will provide them with the things they need to succeed.” 

It was clear that the kids also appreciated the gift from Target.  When third grader Tiara was asked what she thought about the shopping spree she said, “This is pretty cool.  I got everything I needed for school.  It’s been a good day.”

Thanks to all the folks at Target nationally and right here in Indy. They provided a fun environment with snacks and even games for the kids waiting their turn to shop. We especially appreciated the enthusiasm of their associates as they helped the kids check out at the end of the shop. Talk about “doing the MOST good”!

Major Amick was all smiles accepting the donation saying, “times are every bit as challenging as they were last year, so it’s exciting to see the community rise up to help us reach out to IPS schoolchildren and give them the tools they need and the hope to succeed.”

In fact, in this its second year partnering with The Salvation Army, Huntington has more than doubled the backpack donation to Indianapolis schoolchildren. In fact, this year, The Salvation Army will distribute about 600 more backpacks than in 2009. Those backpacks, provided by Big Lots Inc. at a significantly reduced rate to Huntington Bank will be packed along with donated school supplies and given to children at Salvation Army community centers as well as the Women’s and Children’s Shelter and at least one IPS elementary school.  

Huntington knows how much of a financial strain school supplies can put on a family. Prior to each school year, Huntington Bank releases their annual Backpack Index to access the impact that the cost of school supplies and extracurricular activities has on families. According to the 2010 Index, it costs parents about $474 for elementary school, $545 for middle school and $1,000 for high school students to return to the classrooms. “Providing school supplies to Indiana children in need is a large part of what the Huntington Backpack Index is all about,” said Huntington Bank Central Indiana President Mike Newbold. “We not only want to call attention to the costs to send a child back to school prepared to learn, but also help out families who are having a difficult time making ends meet.”

The Salvation Army would like to thank Huntington Bank and Big Lots Inc. for their partnership.

Our state has certainly felt the brunt of the economic downturn. And the trend continues in 2010 as unemployment hovers in the 10 percent range. About 43 percent of homeless schoolchildren in IPS are in kindergarten through third grade! These kids have difficulties concentrating, not knowing where they’ll sleep or where dinner will come from. In fact, these students are suspended from school at a rate of about twice the state average!

But thanks to our supporters, The Salvation Army’s Women’s and Children’s Shelter* can offer these kids some stability. Kids who stay in our shelter can count on healthy meals, warm beds and even homework help from our partners at Indy School on Wheels. The shelter isn’t a permanent solution – our counselors work with moms to get help with life skills, school or job placement and all the other resources they will need to break the cycle of joblessness, domestic violence and homelessness.

You can help us continue to provide these services to our littlest neighbors in need through the Homelessness Bites campaign. Find out how to get and fill a Bite Back box, donate online, sign up for our mobile VIP list or mark your calendar now for Apple Fest this October. For 1,500 kids in Indianapolis, homelessness bites. Bite back!

*nearly 1,100 women & children have been cared for in our shelter in 2010. Of the 204 who came to us in June, 76 were kids.

According to Huntington Bank’s 2010 Backpack Index, the average cost for a family to send a child to elementary school (with all the school recommended supplies and necessary clothing) is about $475. With the first days of school quickly approaching, parents are no doubt feeling the pressure of providing new shoes, back packs and school supplies. But, thanks to the generosity of long time Salvation Army donor, Mrs. Laura Lewis, 120 children are set to go.

Mrs. Lewis, who is now 94 years old, has provided shoes for children through The Salvation Army for five years. Mrs. Lewis grew up as an orphan, never having the luxury of new shoes for school. After enjoying a prosperous life together with her husband she wanted to give back to kids who may be less fortunate. Kalvin Henderson, proud recipient of Mrs. Lewis’ gift said, “I think she’s real nice and someone should be doing something nice for her too. I’d have to save my money for a long time to get shoes like this.”

Jo Ann Remender, Planned Giving Director for The Salvation Army says, “It’s not just meeting a physical need for these kids, it’s meeting an emotional need too. It’s preparing them for that first day of school, so they feel like they have all the necessary tools they need to be successful.”

Thanks again to Mrs. Lewis for her generous donation and to the team at the Lafayette Road Shoe Carnival for hosting the event.

Each of us have the means to make a difference in our community by giving of our time and resources. If you’re interested in helping your neighbors in need through The Salvation Army, give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

The kids are all part of The Salvation Army’s Summer Food Program, which provides nutritional meals for at-risk youth in the Eagle Creek area.  “For some of the kids here, this is the only full meal they get during the day,” said Captain Leti Crowell, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army Eagle Creek.  The program was started to bridge the gap between school sessions.  Nearly all of the children qualifiy for the Federal School Lunch program and many would go without a quality meal this summer without the help of The Salvation Army.

A big part of the day is organized recreation and when Clement heard about the opportunity to go and play with the kids, he jumped at it.  “It means so much to these kids that a player like Jeff Clement of the Indians cares about them enough to take time out of his schedule to come and play with them for a few hours.  These kids aren’t just hungry for food, they’re hungry for attention.  They’re going to go home after this and talk about it for a long time,” said Captain Crowell.

This is the second year that players from the Indianapolis Indians have spent a day with the kids at the Eagle Creek Salvation Army.  Last summer, Indians pitchers Eric Hacker and Chris Bootcheck played whiffle ball with kids.

If your team, organization or business would like an opportunity to make a difference in our community, give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

Ever feel that way? Well, after spending just a few hours at our Women’s and Children’s Shelter, Randy Clark does. You see, Randy came down to the Shelter on Sunday to help serve tacos with the guys from West Coast Tacos. Randy’s company, TKO Graphix, helped the WCT guys get started here in Indy by doing the art for their taco truck. When they heard about their plans to serve at the shelter, TKO took up a collection to help WCT cover their costs associated with serving.

Randy and Nancy (and their spouses) came down to present the guys with that cash (about $300) and to give to others. They ended up receiving much more – turns out that happens quite often when you serve. I could tell you all about his experience, but it’s better to read it in his own words on his blog.

So, what motivates you to give? Why do you give to The Salvation Army? To learn more about how to ‘Bite Back’, visit HomelessnessBites.org or give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

Can’t wait to hear more from camp? Stay tuned for some stories of kids whose lives have been changed through your generosity!