Dena Whaling, born and raised in Valparaiso, has spent a large majority of her life giving back to the community in one way or another. Alongside her Valparaiso High School sweetheart, Matt, she has become a pillar of light and hope for friends and strangers alike.
Whaling began her education at Purdue University North Central (now Purdue University Northwest) before starting her family with Matt and raising their two children.
Around 10 years ago, Whaling joined up with her partner at a vintage store in Valpo. In March of 2019, the women opened Picked Vintage on Calumet Avenue, a boutique style vintage and eclectic goods store. Since then, the store has showcased local artwork, jewelry, candles and more. They also sell a variety of gifts and vintage goods.
“Amy and I started Picked Vintage, and then we handpicked a few other partners to help carry the load for hours worked and behind the scenes help. Everybody has a different style, which is what is really fun about the store. We all get along so well, and it has been such a blessing.”
In 2017, Whalings’ son, Keegan, passed away. Every day since then, Whaling has worked to keep his memory alive and pass his kindness on.
“We have a scholarship that we give to a Valpo High School student in his name, and one of our favorite ways to give back is the Be Like Keegan fund, both of which are through the Porter County Community Foundation,” Whaling said.
Alongside her work at Picked Vintage, she considers the Be Like Keegan fund to be her greatest passion.
Through the fund, the Whaling family is able to facilitate philanthropic efforts to Hilltop House, The Caring Place, or other local shelters that may need some support. Be Like Keegan has created fundraising events and attends other community events to raise money and increase awareness. One of the biggest events is the annual SantaCon.
“We host a three-hour pub crawl on the first Sunday in December, and it usually raises around $20,000 for the fund,” Whaling said. “We have a boys cook dinner event and several golf outings.”
The Be Like Keegan fund works closely with Hilltop House, where Whaling sits as a board member, and there is a barn in the yard at its preschool building that is called the “Keegan Barn.” The fund also donated to the school garden, where kids plant and grow vegetables.
Whaling’s daughter, Madelyn, graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a kinesiology degree, and she is currently enrolled in an accelerated nursing program through Valparaiso University. Whaling appreciates the opportunity to have raised her children in the Valparaiso community.
“Volunteerism has always been a guiding factor in my life,” Whaling said. “I have volunteered in soup kitchens and through a free dentistry and also at the local schools because there is never enough help there.”
Whaling has helped kickstart the soup kitchen that is opening at Hilltop House this fall. In her free time, Whaling enjoys riding along with her husband while he golfs and spending time outdoors. She loves to travel, spend time at the Indiana Dunes, read, and visit with her family.
For more information about the Be Like Keegan fund, visit this link. For more information about Picked Vintage visit its Facebook page.