This community center is a much needed resource and I'm thankful to have it available for everyone…read morein the city! I personally visited as part of a local business fair that supported up-and-coming business owners connect with financial, marketing and start-up needs. This center also has a partnership with IPS and helps students find additional educational help, as well as a safe, quiet place to study. They also help with housing questions, offer a fitness zone, host workshops, advocate for east-side development and more. They're truly wonderful! Currently during COVID19, you can't walk in the offices without a meeting, so I'd suggest calling beforehand to book an appointment.

I visited the John Boner Center on a weekend during COVID to get on-boarded to work for the US…read moreCensus, which means the normal goings-on inside weren't happening. But I was able to look at all the photos and posters on the walls to see all the good things that happen there during the weekday. The John Boner Center offers a variety of community services for Indianapolis residents who need it. Right now, during COVID-19, you cannot just have a walk-in appointment. Please make sure you call ahead and schedule an appointment first, and wear a mask!

Located in the white building in Grace Assembly of God is a community gem! The Indiana Diaper…read moreSource provides diapers, wipes, formula to community members in need free. Each person is asked to bring an ID, birth certificate/guardianship papers for each child (up to four years of age) if they want to receive diapers. Held every 1st & 3rd Saturday at 1pm-3pm.

What an amazing organization. Teachers' Treasures is a store where Marion County teachers/educators…read morecan shop for supplies that they need for their classrooms, or supplies that the children in their classes need. Best of all: All of these items are provided to the teachers for free. The things that teachers can shop for range from backpacks to pencils, binders to STEM books, Lysol wipes to poster board. All of those things that teachers sometimes tend to pay for out of their own pockets -- they are given in abundance here for free. I love this place so much. If you're a teacher, you can sign up to shop at the Teachers' Treasures website. Then, you visit during your designated time, grab a shopping cart and get the supplies you need. Teachers' Treasures is only open on certain days and at certain times, so you need to make a reservation in order to visit. If you are looking for a volunteering opportunity, Teachers' Treasures is always looking for volunteers to help stock shelves, unload products from pallets and assist teachers as they shop. This wonderful organization relies on volunteer efforts.

I really enjoy going here especially with me being a school social worker. I am able to go here and…read moreget items to utilize with my scholars during our small groups or individual sessions or check ins. This place receives donations to where teachers or other school staff can come here to shop and it is no cost. The schools typically pay for the employees memberships to go here. There are times you come here and you may hit the jackpot and then sometimes there may not be items that you are looking for. The volunteers that work here are always friendly and are willing to answer any questions and help you out.

The Martin Luther King Community Center has a long history in the Indianapolis area. It was first…read moreestablished in 1972 under Mayor William Hudnut III. Operations began at 4155 Boulevard Place in January 1973 as the Butler Tarkington Multi-Service Center. In 1977, it was relocated to 3951 N Illinois. In 1981, the name was changed to Martin Luther King Multi-Service Center and the service area was expanded. In 1984, a building was purchased at 3909 N. Meridian and, finally, in 1997, the current location at 40 W. 40th was acquired. Around 2014, the organizational structure was struggling quite a bit. If I remember right, the center was briefly closed to allow for a sort of organizational reset. This led to the hiring of Allison Luthe as executive director, a position she continues to hold to this day and she's most certainly massively rejuvenated the organization and its effectiveness. The MLK Center currently offers youth, family, and community programs. Youth programs include an after school literacy lab, the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, Tarkington Teen Work Crew, and 40 West Digital (training and work in video production). Family programs include wellness coaching (financial, employment, life), a parent support group, and loss and grief support group. Community programs include Midtown Get-Around (low-cost transportation within defined boundaries), Rent and Utility Assistance, shared lease program, a seniors program, mental health counseling, non-violence training, and loss/grief. The MLK Center will also rent space for gatherings (amazingly affordable). The MLK Center continues to be guided by six key principles from King's life: Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people. Nonviolence believes that unearned suffering is redemptive. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. Having encountered the work of the Martin Luther King Center several times over the years (I used to be even more supportive when there was an oratory program), I continue to regard it as one of Indy's best kept secrets for area children and youth and it has super blossomed under Allison Luthe's leadership.

Shortly after the shelter-in-place order due to the pandemic went into effect, a friend of mine…read morereposted on Facebook a request for volunteers to deliver meals to families in need. I realized very quickly that this is something I could do to help give back to my community and give me a sense of purpose when all of my other volunteering opportunities were on hold. I quickly followed the links that took me to the Sign-Up Genius and secured my spot for that week. I arrived at the MLK Center headquarters with my face mask and gloves, and went inside to collect my bags of meals for that day. [COVID-19 UPDATE: That was just for that first week. They have since changed procedures to keep everyone as protected as possible. Now volunteers just line their cars up outside and other volunteers/staff load your car for you.] Inside the building, the office is clean and modest. There's a large meeting room, an even larger common area, a kitchen, and a separate activity room. Once my truck was loaded with my meals, I simply plugged the addresses from each sheet into my Google Maps app and followed my route. With each drop-off, I rang the door bell and stepped away. If no one answered, I called the number on the sheet, to let them know that the delivery was there on their porch. The staff is polite and hard working. I overheard that they're teaming with Second Helpings to put these meal bags together. I've often heard mention of the MLK Center in the news over the years, but until this pandemic, I've never had the chance to see up close and personal the impact them make on our community.

The Indiana Children's Wish Fund grants wishes to Indiana children ages 3-18 who have been…read morediagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness. They were established in 1984, a year after my graduation from high school, and children are referred by parents, nurses, social workers, doctors, etc. To date, they've granted over 3,200 wishes with most wishes costing an average of $8-10,000. As someone who has, quite literally, grown up with a life-threatening illness that was considered terminal when I was born, I've long admired the work of Indiana Children's Wish Fund and even presented an award from my own charitable efforts to one of their active fundraisers. It was at that time that I became increasingly aware of their work and aware of local media personalities who are involved in supporting it. Fun facts - the most common request is a Disney World trip for the entire family. However, other wishes have included meeting former Presidents, the Pope, bringing a relative all the way from Ethiopia for a visit, and one young wish recipient even ended up being an extra in a Tom Cruise film. These Wish coordinators are really quite amazing and creative. When I was young and not expected to survive (I'm in my 50s now - I guess they were wrong), I sort of had a pre-wish (since the organization didn't exist) when it was arranged for me to meet my idol - Mario Andretti. It's an experience I've never forgotten and I still cheer for an Andretti in every race where there is one. I was in awe of this experience and I'm in awe of and strongly believe in this organization's mission to provide some light and love for children facing life-threatening illnesses and/or terminal illnesses. The Indiana Children's Wish Fund is a 501c3 non-profit organization and they're constantly fund-raising. While the pandemic has certainly impacted wishes, they do continue and children continue to be in need. Terminal illness doesn't really slow down for a pandemic. They are known as a fiscally responsible organization and, perhaps most importantly to me, also a truly sincere and compassionate one. They're undeniably one of Indiana's true non-profit gems. They are based in the Castleton area, however, they grant wishes statewide.

Dotted Line Divas was started by an incredible woman who, while going through a hard time a few…read moreyears ago, spent every Saturday driving to local pantries to collect items for her family. She quickly realized that most food pantries had almost no personal hygiene or home items necessary to sustain a family. She redirected her attention to couponing and became incredibly good at it. She now uses her extreme couponing skills to serve 100+ families each month. She opened a personal care pantry that offers the following: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine care items, diapers, wipes, toilet paper, home cleaning supplies, detergent, deodorant, books and more. This pantry is located in the new Mercy Road church off of 96th and Michigan Road and is open for "pantry day" every third Saturday of the month from 10am-12pm. Families can register beforehand or show up and fill out paperwork. Volunteers will then call a family up, take them through the pantry and ask if there's anything our team can be praying for. If there are extra items in the pantry from 12pm-1pm, people who need it can pay $1 or $2 to snag additional items. There needs to be ideally 20 volunteers to make this nonprofit possible every third Saturday. Bonus points if you can speak Spanish or Burmese. Please sign up on their website sign up link before showing up to volunteer so they know you're coming. If you have a few extra hours, it'll mean the world to the families and you'll meet incredibly kind people that you'll feel honored to help! Everyone is so kind and sweet. I even learned a ton of Spanish thanks to the patient people who taught me while we shopped!

The founder is so passionate about her project that you can't help but get swept away…read more Truthfully this is a worthwhile project. There are so many food banks, but those do not supply any kind of hygiene articles: the shampoos, soaps, sanitary napkins, toilet paper, detergents, toothpaste, diapers... those type of things are just as necessary for your health as food. Dotted Line Divas steps in here and tries to supply at least some of the most needed items. Of course they are dependent on our assistance. So consider donating your time or money or goods to this worthwhile cause. Keep in mind that sanitary napkins, tampons and diapers are the most needed items.

I had the opportunity tonight to offer the opening prayer at "A Night Under the Stars," the annual…read moregala raising funds for League of Miracles. League of Miracles is a sports complex designed specifically for children with disabilities and their families to participate in recreational opportunities. They are a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors. Located 3 miles east of Mooresville, they draw participating children and teens from several counties. During the Fall and Summer of each year, they operate a baseball league. Other times, they can be found sponsoring kickball. During the pandemic, they even did what they could and offered virtual activities. The baseball field is made entirely of rubber - this allows individuals in wheelchairs and who use walkers to round the bases safely. They also have a 40-foot by 60-foot building that is equipped with a large air-conditioned community room, a concession stand, and four fully ADA accessible restrooms (trust me, this is rare at a baseball diamond). They have ample parking and quite a few accessible parking spots. During tonight's gala, they were recognizing a young man who'd raised enough money to get an actual scoreboard installed. They have a goal of increasing their sports opportunities and to also transition into allowing adults to play. They have a special relationship with veterans groups and would love to get to a point of offering activities in adaptive sports for vets. Tonight's speaker was an Iraq War Veteran who became a double amputee after a bombing. They also have a relationship with nearby Damar Services. Many of the players have "buddies" and area high school students are known to get involved. They offer sponsorship opportunities for buddies, teams, the backstop sign, the outfield banners, a celebration sponsor, and an MVP sponsorship. I was super impressed with this organization tonight and with the dedication of its executive director and volunteers. I appreciated that they had a couple of the kids speak and they really spoke to strengths while also acknowledging disabilities. I even ran into the co-owner of my very first employer (I was awful, but it was a good learning experience). That made an already special night even more special.

Last night the Ronald McDonald House had an event where they had a list of items needed for the…read morehouse. Paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, etc. If you brought some to the house you could help "pack the pace car" and get your picture taken in it. This was a great idea and I was so glad to see so many people donated. It was a two day event from 3-6 pm. You just pulled up at the circle and drop it off. They said they will most likely do this event next year because they had a great turn out. Years ago Yelp had event here where we baked cookies for the families at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a great way to help out the families that are going through so much. We got to see Mac the therapy dog and they took us on a tour of the house. All the families receive a bag full of items upon arrival. Some of these families live out of state while some are in state but maybe live far from Riley Hospital. They have volunteer opportunities as well as lists of items they may need periodically at the house. I hope Yelp does another event here again. I guess they had one a couple of years before I did the event during Christmas time. This is a great organization that I will definitely donate to again!

The Ronald McDonald House is one of those non-profits that you're excited to get behind because you…read moreknow they're well-run. They constantly need both volunteers to make breakfasts, dinners, frozen meals, and bake cookies. They also have nightly activities such as Bingo that they love volunteers to run. Sign up ahead of time to reserve your group. They take groups on a tour of the space and explain everything. I found this to be incredibly special, as it attached our group to the work we were about to do and the heart behind the organization. The Ronald McDonald House allows families to stay as long as they need while they're child is in Riley Hospital. Families stay for either one night to a year. The homemade meals are vital to provide, as people under the stress of having a loved one in the hospital often forget to eat and need to be cared for. They also accept donations - however everything does need to be new (nonperishable food, lotions, shampoos, soaps, toothbrushes, etc). The only thing that can be donated used is books (they have an awesome library for the families). We baked cookies with our group and it was a fun, group-bonding activity in addition to being able to provide for a group that needs it. Grab your friends and volunteer here for an evening!