#JasperStrong Wristbands

In support of Jasper Lenglade, 11-year-old son of Jennifer & Jon Lenglade (Construction Solutions), who has been battling leukemia since March 1st and to help cover medical bills, orange wristbands (#Jasper Strong) are available at the front desk (or by contacting any member of the community service team) for a free-will offering.  Community Service funds will contribute $750 to get the fund started.

Thrive 360 (Million Meals Marathon)

American Structurepoint has reserved 50 volunteer spots for our fourth Thrive 360 event. This event involves packing meals to benefit Indianapolis food pantries. Join your coworkers on November 1 from 5:30-7:30 at Lucas Oil Stadium for this perennial favorite fall outing. Family members and children 10 years or older are eligible to participate. Sign-up sheet can be found on the Department drive under Community Service\Community\ __Sign-up Sheets\_Volunteer List 2016.xlsx (Million Meal Marathon tab). If you cannot enter your name on the spreadsheet from the dropdown list, go to the Master List tab and enter your information there first.

September Support

• $1,000 went to Scholarship Africa, an organization created by former Peace Corps volunteers to help children in participating communities form healthy habits and pursue their education, while helping to sustain the local economies.
• $500 went to the Wabash Valley Community Foundation for Griffin Bike Park. Brian Payne (Environmental) has spent a lot of time helping to develop this new green space in Terre Haute over the past year or so. The park will have its grand opening October 15 and 16.
• $300 went to Faith, Hope, & Love Community, an organization that helps “plant” new food pantries that go beyond food distribution, seeking to build personal relationships with their clients and assist them with the “bigger picture” issues that are behind their food insecurity . Their newest effort supports two assisted living communities on the near east side of Indianapolis in an area where the only places to buy food within an easy commute are a gas station and a Dollar Store. Our contribution will provide fresh produce for all the residents for the next three months.
• $200 went to Teacher’s Treasures for their pencil drive. This effort to provide pencils to every IPS student is part of the organization’s overall goal of assisting more than 2,400 teachers in 250 local schools get supplies for their students.

Financial Updates

Total contributions so far in 2016 have been $50,215, but we’re nowhere close to our 50-percent participation goal for payroll deductions. There’s still time to achieve that goal though! See Michele Collins or Ben Braun if you have question or are ready to sign up!

Total expenditures so far in 2016 have been $33,352, plus the following anticipated fourth quarter giving: $5,000 to DREAM Alive (annual commitment), $500 to DREAM Alive for their family “adoption” program at Christmas, which helps grow a philanthropy habit in the scholars, and $500 to Northwest High School for the food and school uniform “bank.” As we head into the holiday season, please let the committee know of any organizations you’d particularly like for us to support this year. While we have perennial favorites as a company (Ronald McDonald House/Riley Hospital, Spring Mill Meadows Nursing Home, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Evansville Rescue Mission, etc.), we’re always on the lookout for new opportunities to support organizations who are doing good work for veterans, families, schools, and the elderly in our communities.