Mrs. Lewis, Shoe Carnival help kids in need get ready for school

This morning, thanks to Mrs. Lewis and the team at the Lafayette Road Shoe Carnival, nearly 120 kids from The Salvation Army’s Summer Day Camp programs in Indy got the tools they’ll need to start school on the right foot.

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.

Many of the children from this morning’s shop are residents of The Salvation Army’s Shelter for Women and Children and have been left homeless due to economic issues or even more serious situations such as domestic violence. Others come from single-parent families with that parent working to support the family and also receiving assistance from the Army such as help with groceries and utility expenses.

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.

Applebee’s steps up to the grill for homeless kids

Since Applebee’s will generously provide the freshly grilled entrees for Apple Fest on 10/7, more of your lunch dollars will help us help Indy’s homeless kids. We’re thrilled to have the opporunity to work with their team again this Fall to bring you quality food that’s donated for a great cause – our campaign to end homelessness for Indy’s kids.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working out the details and planning an event that will be worth spending your lunch hour with us. We’re asking you to mark your calendar now for Thursday, October 7 on Monument Circle. All the proceeds from this event will provide shelter, mentoring, tutoring and other programs for kids and their moms who come to our shelter in need of a safe place to stay and fresh start.

Stay tuned for updates…

Emmis signs on for Apple Fest

We’re thrilled to be working with Emmis Communications as our promotional partner for this year’s Apple Fest on Monument Circle. It’s a perfect fit since we’re planning to “Eat in the Street for homeless kids” right in their front yard! All four Emmis stations – WIBC 93.1fm, B105.7fm, Hank 97.1fm and ESPN 1070 The Fan will be teaming up with us to spread the word about this lunchtime event on Thursday, October 7.

Mark your calendar to join us for freshly grilled food and warm apple cobbler. There’s lots to see and do at this event, so stay tuned for the details. And go here to find out how you can get involved this summer even before the first lunch-goer is served.

Interested in participating in the event as a booth sponsor? Call Kristen at 224-1019.

Going to a concert at Verizon Wireless Music Center? Look for us!

It’s time again for outdoor concerts on the lawn at Verizon Wireless Music Center and we’re pleased to announce our partnership with them again for this summer. Verizon allows us to set up two kettle stands with bell ringers before several of their concerts throughout the summer series. It’s a great way for us to bring in some extra dollars for our programs that help Hoosiers in need. And our volunteers get a little reward for giving their time in the summer sun – two free lawn tickets to that night’s concert. It’s a win-win!

So, if you’re planning on spending an evening under the stars enjoying your favorite band, look for us. We’ll be at the following concerts -

Hey, if Verizon can help us out, so can you. If your business or organization is looking for a way to help our neighbors in need, give Kristen a call at 224-1019. And if you’d like to learn more about volunteering, visit our volunteer blog or call Elizabeth at 224-1010.

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