There have been a wide variety of businesses, organizations, and communities that have been giving back to others and making the Region the best place it can be.
Northern Indiana continues to grow and prosper due to the determination and relentless impact community members are making throughout the year. Those sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and we love shining a spotlight on those that go the extra mile to make the community a more positive place.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 community articles on NWI.Life to recap the good news in 2024!
Nearly 900 Advisors volunteer at over 80 nonprofits in the Region and beyond as Horizon Bank celebrates Horizon Cares Day
Nearly 900 Horizon Bank Advisors spread out to volunteer at over 80 nonprofit organizations on Thursday, September 12, as part of the second annual Horizon Cares Day. Horizon Bank closed all of its branches located in Indiana and Michigan for the day to allow its Advisors to give back to their local communities.
Advisors volunteered at food pantries, animal shelters, youth and senior centers, and community organizations of all kinds. Tasks ranged from helping with day-to-day chores and errands to helping organizations finish projects they usually lack the time or hands to complete.
Take a walk into the past with a trip to Lake County Park’s Buckley Homestead
Northwest Indiana residents can get a glimpse of the area's agricultural history during a visit to Buckley Homestead County Park in Lowell. Part of Lake County Parks and Recreation facilities, the 575 acre-living history farm provides a snapshot of what life was like back in 18th -19th century Indiana.
As a living history farm, Buckley Homestead operates within the scope of the property that also serves as a park. The main area of the 'park' is the barnyard area and the house area. The cabin is set as it would have been in the 1910 period. There also is a pioneer farm in the back of the property that is representative of the 1850s era. The schoolhouse area is in the 1880s to 1910 period.
Indiana American Water helps guide Region to a happier, environmentally friendly future
The environment is one of Earth’s most precious resources, and with only 3% of water on the planet being fresh, maintaining a clean supply is especially important. Indiana American Water understands that, as a utility company working directly with the environment, it has a responsibility to oversee the continued health of water in the Region and has enthusiastically taken to the task.
“It's just the right thing to do,” said External Affairs Manager for Indiana American Water Joe Loughmiller. “It's part of our values, and our employees are thinking about that in everything they do. It's really a frame of mind here at our company.”
Urban League of Northwest Indiana invites the Region to defend democracy, demand diversity, and defeat poverty at annual Diversity and Inclusion Symposium
Many Region community members gathered at Valparaiso University's Harre Union on Thursday, March 14 for Urban League of Northwest Indiana's Diversity & Inclusion Symposium. Centered around the themes of defending democracy, demanding diversity, and defeating poverty, the event provided a safe space for high school students and business professionals alike to come together and discuss ways to create an equal and inclusive environment for all.
Jeff Strack honored with Good Scout Award for embodying Scouting in community
Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. As an Eagle Scout, Jeff Strack, president and CEO of Strack & Van Til, strives to live up to these 12 points of the Scout Law every day. Because of his dedication to the community and the Boy Scouts of America, Strack was awarded the Porter County Good Scout Award on Wednesday, April 10 in a ceremony held at the Porter County Expo Center.
IU Northwest provides students the support they need to succeed
Helping students feel at home on a college campus can go a long way toward achieving academic, professional and personal success. Indiana University (IU) Northwest has been steadily building its selection of student resources for years to ensure every student feels comfortable throughout their academic career.
This begins when students take their first steps on campus at New Student Orientation (NSO). When students arrive on campus, they are greeted by the faculty, staff, and students who will help them throughout their academic career as well as introducing them to the tools they’ll use every day.
Regional Health Systems hosts annual block party event for the Hammond community
Regional Health Systems, a Regional Care Group member, invited the Hammond community for its annual block party event. The party took place at its State Street campus on Thursday, August 8.
This is an annual event for the Regional Care Group. Bill Trowbridge, CEO, believes this block party event aligns perfectly with the message they want to spread during National Health Center Week.
“I think this is all about bringing people in the community together,” Trowbridge said. “We have a number of services that we provide within our network, but also from other providers who all help out the same group of individuals.”
United Way Northwest Indiana Friendraiser changes lives and shapes futures
United Way Northwest Indiana hosted a Friendraiser event on Wednesday, August 21 at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary. The event provided a deep overview of United Way Northwest’s Level Up program, which focuses on uplifting and empowering families and individuals in the Region.
The event featured prominent public figures, including Gary Chief of Staff Ellis Dumas III, United Way Northwest Indiana President and CEO Adam O’Doherty, and Level Up Assistant Director Courtney Wedryk, along with a video message from Congressman Frank J. Mrvan.
Big Shoulders Fund, Calumet College of St. Joseph, and the Catholic Diocese of Gary host annual Transition to Teaching Reception
To recognize those who put in the extra hours in our schools, it only makes sense to host the celebration on the weekend. Calumet College of St. Joseph teamed up with Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana and the Catholic Diocese of Gary for the annual Northwest Indiana Teachers Scholarship Reception on Saturday, September 7. The event took place in the Katshanis Commons on the Calumet College of St. Joseph campus.
Dr. Amy McCormack, president of Calumet College of St. Joseph, feels that this event gives proper recognition to those making their transition to teaching.
Purdue University Northwest hosts annual Hispanic Heritage Festival
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) held its annual Hispanic Heritage Festival on Sept. 22, a main highlight of the university’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
The family-friendly event welcomed both the campus and local communities to celebrate Latino cultures and the diaspora through performances, food, vendors and more.
Iris E. Sanchez, director of Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiatives, and Christina Maldonado, Parent, Community and Early Education Liaison, worked together with a committee of students, faculty and staff members to organize the event.