Raise your hand if you or someone you know has benefited from the hard work and generosity of the United Way of Central Indiana!
Not sure?
Well, it’s very likely you do know someone, because UWCI has been fighting for the education, financial stability and basic needs of our community for an amazing 100 years now.
This year, they’re celebrating their 100th anniversary of serving Marion, Hendricks, Hancock, Boone, Morgan and Hamilton counties, by encouraging folks to do something that makes a positive impact on a person, a place or within the community.
A partner agency since 2005, AYS is proud to be among the many who have joined this UWCI “Hand Raisers for 100” volunteer effort. A number of our program sites developed some creative ideas to help others.
At North Salem Elementary, for example, AYS kids not only made super teacher treats for the school staff, but also cleaned the school’s nature garden.
And, check out the cards and the artwork our Tindley Genesis staff and kids made for patients at Riley Children’s Hospital and a senior community.
Across town, at Meredith Nicholson School 96, our kids made friendship bracelets and cards for the children at Dayspring Center.
Here is a rundown of all of the AYS programs that participated, and the cool things they did:
SENSE: Kits for Operation Care, which serves the homeless population
Tindley Genesis: Pictures, cards and artwork for senior citizens and children at Riley Hospital
ACE Prep: Cards for Riley Hospital and the homeless
Rousseau McClellan School 91: Breast cancer pillows/blankets for Komen; cleaning school grounds; cards for Riley patients
Meredith Nicholson School 96: Friendship bracelets for children at Dayspring Center
IPS/Butler Lab School 60: Crafty flowers for teachers and staff
Center for Inquiry School 70: Crafty flowers for teachers and mentors; dreamcatchers for fellow students
Center for Inquiry School 84: Cards and bracelets for Riley; dreamcatchers for Dayspring Center
Allison/Newby: Cards for retirement community
Northridge: Cards and placemats for Bickford Memory Care in Crawfordsville; dreamcatchers for school counselors to help students in need
North Salem: “Super teacher” appreciation cards & treats for school and staff, garden clean-up
Hendricks: Flower-top pencils for teachers
Coulston: Flower-top pencils for teachers
Crooked Creek: Lunch bags for Meals on Wheels; bookmarks for READUP
John Strange: Cards for school staff and assisted living facility
Spring Mill: Pet rocks with inspirational messages for Riley cancer patients
Greenbriar: Cards for children at Riley Children’s Hospital
St. Louis de Montfort: Cards for fire and police departments
St. Luke: Lunch bags for Meals on Wheels
Blue and Gold Academy: Letters to nursing home residents and military
Community service is among our program priorities at AYS, so we were happy to be a part of UWCI’s Hand Raisers push, which culminated just yesterday, April 19.
Today, our president and CEO, Chrystal Struben, participated in United Way of Central Indiana’s “Future United” event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which included a community lunch and a parade of United Way’s 100 heroes and agencies. There was even a collective hand raising experience right on the track!
Thank you to UWCI for your continued support of AYS, and for making Central Indiana a stronger, more vibrant place to live. Here’s to 100 years more!
Please feel free to share your thoughts about the United Way in the comment below.
