'Send the Love' to Indiana nonprofits, $5 at a time
13News wants Hoosiers to join together to "Send the Love" to central Indiana nonprofits making a big difference in our community.
The 13News team is proud to announce a new program to support nonprofits across central Indiana with a micro-giving campaign. Every Monday, Scott Swan will feature a Hoosier nonprofit and ask viewers to make a $5 donation to the charity.
If a lot of Hoosiers give just a little bit, we might be able to make a big difference in our community together.
Our partners at Bailey and Wood will match the first 10 $5 donations every week.
This Week's Nonprofit
This week on Send the Love, we're putting the spotlight on the Lawnmower Project.
They find under-served kids who want to start their own mowing business.
Each of the kids get a lawnmower and a full gas can and oil.
The kids learn how to tune-up, service and fix their lawnmowers.
If we raise $250, the Lawnmower Project could buy five gas cans full of gas.
Raising $500 would refurbish five lawnmowers.
If we raise $2,000, that would pay for two kids to get through the entire program.
Let's Send the Love to the Lawnmower Project. Click here to donate.
Suggest a nonprofit
If you have a suggestion for a nonprofit to be featured in our Send The Love campaign, please email SendTheLove@wthr.com.
The ideal partners are small to medium-size 501c3 nonprofits in good standing, located in central Indiana. The nonprofit needs to have a donation portal that can take $5 donations and be able to report totals to us. There is a strong preference to feature independent nonprofits that are not a chapter of a larger, national organization. Each organization is vetted before being featured on Send The Love.
Previous Nonprofits
5/29/2023 — This week on Send the Love we're helping veterans and first responders learn how to handle bees by supporting At Ease Orchard in Hancock County.
The small, nonprofit believes beekeeping improves social connections and helps decrease symptoms of depression and PTSD.
It also provides beekeeping training, equipment and education for Hoosiers suffering from traumatic on-the-job disabilities.
Your donations will pay for beehives and help more military veterans, first responders and their families learn beekeeping.
Let's Send the Love to At Ease Orchard. Click here to donate.
05/22/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're rallying behind the Alex and Ali Foundation.
It empowers young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
If we raise $500, the foundation could purchase a floor loom to teach team members how to weave rugs and pillows for sale.
If we raise $2,000, they could purchase dog grooming equipment for their "Happy Hounds" doggy day care. The employees learn all about taking care of animals and dog obedience training.
Let's Send the Love to the Alex and Ali Foundation. Click here to donate.
05/15/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're putting the spotlight on a grassroots organization called "Listen To Our Future" that educates young people and encourages them to be changemakers in our community.
They've tutored over 500 kids in literacy and math.
The organization also provides workshops so students learn how to solve real world problems.
Raising $250 would pay for snacks and prizes for 80 students.
If we raise $500, it would pay for learning materials for 80 students.
Raising $2,000 could provide free tutoring for 12 students for an entire semester.
Let's Send the Love to Listen To Our Future. Click here to donate.
05/08/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're highlighting a small nonprofit called Medical Mutt Service Dogs, which helps people with a disability and gives abandoned dogs a new lease on life.
Medical Mutt Service Dogs trains dogs for people with diabetes, epileptic seizures and psychiatric disorders.
If we raise $2,000, the cost of caring and training one service dog for one month would be covered.
If we raise $4,000, that would cover the cost of caring and training two service dogs.
Let's Send the Love to Medical Mutt Service Dogs. Click here to donate.
05/01/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're focusing on Positive Character Girls, which helps young girls combat negative images, thoughts and feelings.
If we raise $500, they could have a licensed clinical mental health therapist speak to the girls and offer private sessions to single parents.
If we raise $2,000, Positive Character Girls could provide a bus to pick up and drop off girls who don't have transportation.
Let's Send the Love this week to Positive Character Girls. Click here to donate.
04/24/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're highlighting Soup Kitchen of Muncie and its help in feeding people in Delaware County.
Last year, it served meals to more than 30,000 people.
For every $100 raised, Soup Kitchen of Muncie can pay for 32 meals.
Raising $250 could be used to take care of the fresh fruit for a week.
If $1,000 is raised, it would pay for all the meat Soup Kitchen of Muncie would need for two months of sack lunches.
Let's Send the Love to Soup Kitchen of Muncie. Click here to donate.
04/17/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're putting the spotlight on Jenkins Forever Farm.
The animal sanctuary in Edinburgh rescues and rehabilitates farmed and exotic animals. It has about 100 animals being cared for.
If we can raise $250, it would cover the surgery for one of the barn cats needing dental cleaning.
Raising $500 would cover the "fencing costs" for the pasture for their geese.
If $2,000 is raised, it would allow Jenkins Forever Farm to finish its guinea pig and rabbit building with lights, flooring, drywall and paint.
Let's Send the Love to Jenkins Forever Farm. Click here to donate.
04/10/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're supporting Homeless Hygienix.
Anastasia Ebersole was 16 years old when she created the nonprofit while in high school.
It builds hygiene kits filled with toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap and shampoo. The kits are then delivered to those in need, including Hoosiers experiencing homelessness.
Every $5 donation pays for two hygiene kits.
If we raise $2,000, Homeless Hygienix will be able to build 800 kits to distribute.
Let's Send the Love to Homeless Hygienix. Click here to donate.
04/03/2023 — This week, we're showcasing a small, nonprofit that provides free reading help to kids from pre-K through eighth grade.
Bentley's Buddies and Friends uses dogs as certified "reading buddies."
They go into schools and the kids read to the dogs as a calm, non-judgmental audience.
If we raise $250, it would pay for 30 to 50 books.
Raising $500, would fund two sofas for the kids and dogs to sit on.
If we raise $2,000, Bentley's Buddies and Friends could buy a porch swing and patio furniture so the kids can read outside.
Let's Send the Love to Bentley's Buddies and Friends. Click here to donate.
03/27/2023 — Ausome Indy is a small, non-profit provides life-changing access to resources for kids with autism.
Ausome Indy can help with therapy and other services including providing sensory toys and weighted blankets.
If we raise $250, it can provide sensory tools and communication support for a child with autism.
Raising $500 would provide 100 sensory kits for children in foster care transitions.
If we raise $2,000, Ausome Indy could buy sensory chairs, crash pads, activities, lights and figet tools for kids when they visit DCS offices.
Let's Send the Love to Ausome Indy. Click here to donate.
03/20/2023 — Here's how you can help kids get hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math.
The STEM Connection has a 30-acre learning site at a farm on the northwest side of Indianapolis where kids can explore and learn in the forest.
One mother said her daughter was quiet and disinterested in school as a young girl but after going to camp at The STEM Connection, her confidence, leadership skills and grades soared.
$250 would pay for one middle school student to participate in a year of STEM future leaders programs, and $500 could pay for a student to attend a week of summer camp.
The goal is to raise $2,000 to help 150 kids experience STEM field trips.
Let's Send the Love to The STEM Connection. Click here to donate.
03/13/2023 — Imagine going to bed without eating dinner. That's the reality for some kids in Shelby County.
Nonprofit Dinner Before Bedtime partners with a local restaurant to provide hot meals, milk and dessert for children in need.
More than 12,000 meals have been served since 2020.
If we can raise $2,000, Dinner Before Bedtime can pay for one dinner every night for an entire year.
Let's Send the Love to Dinner Before Bedtime. Click here to donate.
03/06/2023 — The Single Parent Connection was started by Dionne Brown after she raised her son as a single parent.
Her organization works to help with life lessons and learning opportunities.
With every $250 raised, Single Parent Connection can buy learning materials for families in its workshops and its Single Parent Community Group.
If we raise $2,000, it can provide education scholarships for single parents along with other household necessities.
Let's Send the Love to Single Parent Connection. Click here to donate.
02/27/2023 — The Tatum Parker Project lifts the spirits of kids battling cancer in the hospital.
The nonprofit creates "bags of fun" with games, crafts and electronics.
For every $250 we raise, Tatum Parker Project can create a "bag of fun" for kids.
If we raise $2,000, eight young cancer patients will receive a bag.
Let's Send the Love to Tatum Parker Project. Click here to donate.
02/20/2023 — Changing Footprints aims to put shoes and socks on the feet of people in need.
Perry Township got 350 pairs from the organization two years ago, which is important, because most of their students live in poverty.
If we raise $2,000 this week, Changing Footprints can send shoes and socks to states affected by hurricanes and flooding.
Let's Send the Love to Changing Footprints. Click here to donate.
02/06/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're spotlighting a small, non-profit that provides "service dogs" to veterans.
If we raise $250 for Whalen's Heroes, it can provide training, treats, toys and dog food for a service dog.
Raising $500 pays for all of that and a large crate with a comfortable bed for the service dog.
If we raise $2,000 this week, that would pay for treats, toys, food, dishes, the large crate, bed, leashes collars and grooming supplies – everything the service dog would need.
Let's Send the Love to Whalen's Heroes. Click here to donate.
01/30/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're coming alongside a small, non-profit helping Hoosiers with behavioral health challenges.
Project Will can help people learn life skills, gain a community and even employment.
If we raise $250, Project Will could buy fidget toys and sensory items to help individuals with Autism, ADHD and anxiety.
Raising $2,000 would pay for interactive white boards needed to teach and communicate with non-verbal clients.
Let's Send the Love to Project Will. Click here to donate.
01/23/2023 — The story of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has raised awareness about sudden cardiac arrest.
Play Heart Smart goes around to local high schools offering EKGs and echocardiograms to rule out health problems that could cause kids to pass out or suffer sudden cardiac arrest.
It charges $50 per student and provides financial assistance for parents who can't afford it.
If we raise $2,000, Play Heart Smart could provide 40 tests for kids.
Let's Send the Love to Play Heart Smart. Click here to donate.
01/16/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're showcasing the small nonprofit Gift of Gloves.
It helps kids stay healthy and avoid getting the flu or a cold.
Each pack includes a new hat and gloves, liquid hand soap, hand sanitizer, a toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, hand lotion and facial tissues.
Family and friends create the packs, which are intended for children who don't have the money to buy these important items, and give them to local schools and food pantries.
If we can raise $2,000 this week, Gift of Gloves can create about 150 of their packs for children.
Let's Send the Love to Gift of Gloves. Click here to donate.
01/09/2023 — This week on Send the Love, we're spotlighting the small, nonprofit Why Aren't You Smiling.
It helps boys and girls who struggle with a lack of self-esteem.
If we raise $250, it could provide yoga or Taekwondo to help kids with depression or anxiety.
Raising $500 could buy a couple of guitars for their music class.
If $2,000 is raised, four teenagers could travel with this group to Jamaica and bring supplies and outdoor equipment for a school there.
Let's Send the Love to Why Aren't You Smiling. Click here to donate.
01/02/2023 — This week, we're Sending the Love to the nonprofit, Legendary Smiles.
Legendary Smiles is working with "Book Pillows of Hope" to provide "Cleft Collections" including books about cleft lip and cleft palate for new patients at Riley Hospital.
If we are able to raise $2,000, Legendary Smiles would be able to provide a year's worth of "Cleft Collections."
Let's Send the Love to Legendary Smiles. Click here to donate.
12/26/2022 — We're rallying behind a small, nonprofit created by basketball legend Tamika Catchings.
During the holidays, Catch the Stars Foundation provides clothes, toys and books to Hoosiers in need.
If we raise $250, Catch the Stars will be able to provide more clothes, toys or books to families.
If we raise $2,000, Catch the Stars could provide scholarships to its basketball camp.
Let's Send the Love to Catch the Stars. Click here to donate.
12/19/2022 — This week we're sending the love to a small, nonprofit building toys for underprivileged kids.
The Central Indiana Woodworkers creates thousands of toys and donates them to dozens of community agencies.
The more money we raise, the more toys and memory boxes they can create.
Let's Send the Love to Central Indiana Woodworkers. Click here to donate.
12/12/2022 — This week we're sending the love to Little Wish Foundation. They provide "little wishes" to pediatric cancer patients.
Every $500 we raise will grant one "little wish" for a child fighting cancer.
The goal we're setting is $2,000 to help fund wishes for four kids.
Let's Send the Love to Little Wish Foundation. Click here to donate.
12/05/2022 — This week we're going to Send the Love to a small, nonprofit providing music education to kids – who don't have access to it.
El Sistema Indianapolis believes ensemble music will inspire students to achieve their full potential.
If we raise $250, the nonprofit would bring in an Indianapolis musician to do a workshop with the kids.
Raising $500 would cover the cost of the students' public concert.
If we raise $2,000, it would provide a ukulele instructor for an entire semester.
Let's Send the Love to El Sistema Indianapolis. Click here to donate.
11/26/2022 — This week on Send the Love, we're highlighting the work being done by the Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective.
The nonprofit connects the community through dance and movement.
It provides a variety of classes including Bust a Move, Bollywood, Tai Chi and EmbodieDance.
If we can raise $2,000, Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective could provide an annual scholarship for five people.
Let's Send the Love to Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective. Click here to donate.
11/14/2022 — This week, we are highlighting the work of traceBRAVE Foundation.
The small, nonprofit is named after a young boy who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just 18 months old.
His traceBRAVE Foundation now helps other kids by sending them to a summer camp designed for children with diabetes.
If we raise $250, it would pay for 10 care packages for newly diagnosed diabetes patients.
Raising $500 would pay for one child with diabetes to attend summer camp.
If we raise $2,000, it could provide college scholarships for eight Hoosiers, so they can use their money for medical supplies and equipment.
Let's Send the Love to traceBRAVE Foundation. Click here to donate.
11/07/2022 — Dream Alive, a small, nonprofit co-founded by Colts legend Tarik Glenn, is designed to break the cycle of poverty.
The organization mentors vulnerable kids and helps them discover career paths.
If we raise $2,000, we could provide programming for 32 high school seniors with helping the kids apply for college, scholarships, enroll in trade school or apply for a job.
People donated around $2,700 to Dream Alive. Click here to donate.
10/31/2022 — The Chris Center helps helps teenagers who may be struggling with mental and emotional well-being. It helps by getting them to interact with dogs and alpacas.
If we raise $250, they can buy ten dog vests for their Peace and Wellness Therapy Dog Team.
If $500 is raised, it could fund all the art supplies for next year's new "Mindful Arts Program."
But if we raise $2,000, the Chris Center can pay for 50 hours of instruction for the Alpaca Adventure program.
People donated $1,700 to Chris Center. Click here to donate.
10/24/2022 — The Indiana Women In Need Foundation (IWIN) helps relieve emotional, physical and financial burdens for Indiana women fighting breast cancer.
If we raise $250, they could buy more gas cards for women undergoing daily radiation treatments.
If $500 is raised, it would help provide meals for breast cancer patients.
If we could raise $2,000, IWIN could provide housekeeping, lawn mowing and child care to five Indiana women battling breast cancer.
People donated around $3,800 to the IWIN Foundation. Click here to donate.
10/17/2022 — Rhinos for Rockstars was born from a 5-year-old boy hearing about a sad police officer and bringing them a stuffed rhino.
So far, Miles has given rhinos to 1,000 officers including hundreds of
graduates from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
One of the officers who got a rhino was Noah Shanavaz, who recently lost his life in the line of duty. Miles gave rhinos to officers at the Richmond Police Department. The idea is for the officers to be on the lookout for a child who needs a hug, and to give them the stuffed rhino to feel better.
If we raise $1,200, they could give rhinos to 135 graduates of the Law Enforcement Academy.
If we raise $2,500, Rhinos for Rockstars could give 250 rhinos to police officers and student resource officers at schools.
You donated $2,115 to Rhinos for Rockstars. Click here to donate.
10/10/2022 — Same as U is a small, nonprofit designed to help adults with developmental disabilities live the life they imagine.
The nonprofit provides a college-like setting with education, recreational, social and life-skilling training.
John is a Carmel High School grad with down syndrome. He loves learning about current events, history and math. His brothers went to Purdue and John also wanted to go to college.
Same as U is John's college. His mom says it would have been easy for John's world to become small after high school, but Same as U has opened John's world. Now his possibilities are endless.
If we all give a little, we can make a big impact on Same as U.
For every $500 we raise, 20 students get scholarship funds.
You donated more than $4,250 to Same as U. Click here to donate.
10/3/2022 — Pink-4-Ever – Ending Disparities brings awareness about breast cancer disparities for Black women and works to eliminate those disparities by providing support.
Among the many things the organizations does, it also helps connect patients with a network of survivors and caregivers.
If we raise $250, that would pay for gift bags filled with blankets, neck pillows, scarves and skincare products for breast cancer patients.
If $500 is raised, it can fund activities like makeovers, cooking and nutrition classes, a low-impact exercise class or holiday party.
If we raise $2,500, the organization can provide financial assistance for cancer patients by helping pay rent, mortgage or medical bills.
Let's Send the Love to Pink-4-Ever – Ending Disparities. Click here to donate.
09/26/2022 — Send the Love is highlighting Wishing Wings, which helps foster children with clothing items.
The organization's "Grant a Wish" program has served 433 teens in two years.
If we raise $250 dollars, it would pay for 17 packs of new underwear or 21 sweatshirts.
If $1,000 is raised, it would allow Wishing Wings to grant 10 clothing wishes, which could be a tux or dress to go to a school dance.
If we can raise $3,000, seven foster families can experience a "Christmas Wish Experience," which could include a family trip "Christmas at the Zoo" or "Disney on Ice."
You donated more than $4,500 to Wishing Wings. Click here to donate.
09/19/2022 — Send the Love is highlighting Indiana Health Fund, which helps Hoosiers manage medical debt.
Indiana Health Fund can help a Hoosier who can't afford their medical bills by negotiating them down.
For some people, Indiana Health Fund could help with money to pay a patient's medical debt.
You donated more than $1,000 to Indiana Health Fund. Click here to donate.
09/12/2022 — Send the Love is highlighting the Bloom Project, which provides mentors and workshops for 12- to 18-year-olds.
It teaches them character and professional development.
If we raise $250, it would pay for school supplies for 25 children and their siblings.
Raising $500 pays for bus passes and groceries for them.
If we raise $2,000 this week, the Bloom Project could pay for activities for the group – including tickets to a Colts, Pacers or Indians' game.
You donated more than $1,600 to the Bloom Project. Click here to donate.
09/05/2022 — This week's Send the Love is Lambswear, which collects gently used clothes for kids who don't have enough clothes or clothes that fit.
If we collect $500, it would allow Lambswear to provide new socks, new underwear, and a bag for 250 kids.
If we raise $2,000, Lambswear could give new socks, new underwear and a bag to one thousand kids.
Our partner at Bailey and Wood will match the first ten $5 donations.
You donated nearly $4,000 to Lambswear. Click here to donate.
08/29/2022 — This week's "Send the Love" puts the spotlight on "My Time To Shine," which gives performers with special needs the chance to be part of musicals.
Every $200 dollars we raise will pay for one performer.
If we raise $500, that will pay for costumes for an entire show.
And if we raise $1,500, the group could buy sound equipment.
Right now, they don't have wireless microphones, which they need for theatre performance.
Our partner at Bailey and Wood will match the first ten $5 donations.
You donated more than $3,100 to My Time To Shine. Click here to donate.
08/22/2022 — This week's "Send the Love" is rallying behind Camp OPP. It stands for "opportunities present possibilities."
They host kids at an overnight educational camp at Flat Rock River YMCA camp. Those kids would otherwise not necessarily have an opportunity to go to a camp.
Every $100 we raise pays for one child to attend "Camp OPP."
If $3,000 is raised, the camp hopes to bring 30 students from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired out in October.
You donated more than $7,300 to Camp Opp. Click here to donate.
8/15/2022 — Book Pillows of Hope is a small, local nonprofit that promotes literacy and spreads joy for children in difficult situations.
Book Pillows of Hope has 25 people who sew the pillows. They've created 2,600 in two years.
The books are age-appropriate and chosen for each child based on their interests.
The group also sends them to hospitals and police departments to give to children.
If we combine a bunch of $5 donations and raise $250, they could make 50 pillows.
$500 allows them to make 100 pillows.
If we donate $2,000, they could make 400 pillows for kids.
You donated more than $3,200 to Book Pillows of Hope. Click here to donate.
8/8/2022 — Heart and Soul Free Clinic helps provide free medical and dental checkups, screenings and referrals to specialists for low-income Hoosiers.
If we can pool a bunch of $5 donations and raise $250, that's enough to pay for one Hoosier to get a dental appointment.
If we raise $500, that can provide doctor appointments for ten Hoosiers to get a physical or for kids to get school immunizations.
If we raise $2,000, this nonprofit could host two Saturday morning medical clinics. They could see 20 patients during that time.
You donated more than $2,600 to Heart and Soul Free Clinic. Click here to donate or here.
8/1/2022 — Little Angel Gowns turns wedding dresses into infant burial attire.
If we raise $250, it could supply a hospital with gowns for an entire year.
If we hit $500, that would cover two hospitals for a year.
If $1,000 is raised, Little Angel Gowns could afford the mailing costs for families making private requests for burial gowns.
You donated more than $3,600 to Little Angel Gowns! Click here to donate.
If you're interested in donating a wedding gown to "Little Angel Gowns", send an email to contact.lag@yahoo.com and ask for the Wedding Dress Acceptance Policy. It can take 30 days or more to get a response.
7/25/2022 — Tiaras to Crowns is a small, nonprofit designed to provide girls with the tools and confidence to become independent and successful.
They do lots of volunteer projects, learn self-defense, yoga and how to get fit. Let's help Tiaras to Crowns continue their great work.
If we raise $250, this group will have enough money to provide food for the girls when they meet every week.
If we reach $500, it would pay for the workshops where the girls learn how to manage money, apply for college and get help writing a resume.
If we raise $2,000, Tiaras to Crowns can pay to have a "safe space" in a school for their meetings for one year.
You donated more than $2,000 to Tiaras to Crowns! Click here to donate $5.
7/18/2022 — Kindness Delivered is a mobile ministry that delivers random acts of kindness and is the focus of "Send the Love" this week.
The organization often partners with groups, like school children, to promote those random acts of kindness.
If we raise $250, Kindness Delivered could deliver 25 "random acts of kindness" around the community.
If $500 is raised, it would be enough for them to provide homemade ice cream and donuts for residents at a nursing home.
And if we raise $2,000, Kindness Delivered could bring a free boxed lunch or small gift to a teacher-staff appreciation event at school.
You donated $2,200 to Kindness Delivered! Click here to donate $5.
7/11/2022 — Our Send the Love effort this week is helping young parents.
Zek's Foundation of Hope was inspired by Ezekiel. He was just 18 when he died from a car crash. He left behind a baby girl who is now 3 years old. Zek had dreams of graduating high school and providing for his baby girl.
That's something Dania is doing. She's 17 and has a 5-week-old son named Da'Nero. Dania just graduated from Ben Davis HS and wants to go to college to become a nurse. Just like any new mom, Dania needs help.
And she's gotten it from Zek's Foundation of Hope. They helped her get certified in CPR and provided diapers, formula and a crib.
If we raise $250, Zek's Foundation of Hope can get 6 teens certified in CPR training. $500 will pay for at least 6 car seats. If we get enough $5 donations and raise $2,000, they'd have enough money to buy at least a dozen cribs with bedding.
You donated $2,200 to Zek's Foundation of Hope. Click here to donate.
7/4/2022 — This week on "Send the Love," we're raising money for a small, nonprofit helping pet-owners in crisis.
The group is called "Street Outreach and Animal Response" or SOAR.
They've got buildings where they take care of dogs and cats while the pet's owner takes care of personal issues.
There's no cost to people who need help with their dogs or cats.
If we raise $250, SOAR can provide vaccines, de-wormer, and spay and neuter services for a pet.
If we hit $500, that money will sponsor the care for a dog for two weeks or a cat for one month for a human in crisis.
If we raise $2,000, SOAR would have enough money to provide "life saving emergency care support" for pet owners in the community who would have to euthanize their pet for a treatable medical condition.
You donated $4,377 to SOAR! Click here to donate.
6/27/2022 — This week, we're showcasing a local, nonprofit that helps adults with special needs by giving them the opportunity to work on a farm.
The head of Watch Us Farm told Scott, "You can't change special needs, but you can change the way you look at people with special needs."
So, let's help this small, nonprofit with a $5 donation.
If we pool all those donations and raise $700, Watch Us Farm would have enough money to buy two sectional beams for their looms.
If we raise $1,100, that's enough money to buy 100 channels to grow organic lettuce.
But, let's dream big.
If we raise $2,000, Watch us Farm can buy supplies like cotton and rayon threads, so they can create 60 throws, shawls and dishtowels.
You sent $2,370 to Watch us Farm! Click here to donate.
6/20/2022 — June is Pride Month, and this week we're putting the spotlight on a small, nonprofit that's created Indiana's only LGBTQ+ instrumental ensemble.
Pride of Indy Bands brings together musicians from all walks of life —those with lots of experience and musicians who haven't played in a long time.
Bill has always played the trombone, but, when life got busy, he stopped playing for seven years. He missed it, so Bill and his friends launched Pride of Indy Bands.
Bill met his husband, who's also a trombone player.
As Bill puts it, "music doesn't discriminate — music includes all languages."
If we raise $250, Pride of Indy Bands can purchase all the music needed for their holiday concert. If we hit $500, it would help the group buy new shirts for next year.
If we raise $2,000, we can help the band buy new instruments.
That's important because Pride of Indy Bands lost tubas, some percussion instruments and music stands in a fire, so now, they have to borrow some instruments.
Our partner at Bailey and Wood will match your first 10 $5 donations.
You donated $2,540 to Pride of Indy Bands! Click here to donate.
6/13/2022 — Peace Restored brings hope and healing to women who have undergone trauma, abuse, grief, anxiety and depression.
It helps women like Corky. She is from Mooresville and is a victim of domestic violence and was recently divorced.
Peace Restored provided counseling for Corky, including a class called "Healing the Wounds of Trauma" that Corky said changed her life.
Corky also joined the group's walking club and said the women she met are welcoming and not judgmental.
Corky said Peace Restored taught her that it's OK to be broken because you can still be strong at the same time.
Let's all come together and help more women like Corky!
If we raise $250, Peace Restored can create a dozen gift bags for the women and children they serve.
$500 would cover the cost of a holiday party for up to 30 women, and $3,500 would pay for the nonprofit's annual fall retreat for 20 women.
You donated $1,335 to Peace Restored! Click here to donate.
6/6/2022 — This week's featured nonprofit creates adventure programs for kids in the great outdoors.
Camptown uses backpacking, canoeing and outdoor education to teach leadership and character development to kids from all walks of life.
Lesly Ramirez battled severe anxiety. She said she went on a weeklong camping trip to the Smoky Mountains with her Camptown After School Adventure Club and loved it.
Now, she camps with her family and is pursuing a minor in outdoor education after graduation. She said she plans to spend this summer being a day camp counselor with Camptown and reports that her anxiety has gone away.
Let's help more kids discover a love for the outdoors.
If we raise $250, we will pay for one student with disabilities to spend the night in a tent for the first time, exploring a cave or paddling a canoe.
$500 would fund a single day Camptown Adventure for 10-12 students where they can hike or go on a canoe trip.
If we raise $2,000, we could sponsor two full days of day camp at Fort Ben State Park and Riverside Park which would benefit 120 kids.
You donated $3,088 to Camptown! Click here to donate.
5/23/2022 — This week's featured nonprofit is helping kids with dyslexia.
Driving for Dyslexia is a group inspired by the late race car driver Justin Wilson. Justin had dyslexia and encouraged a young go-kart racer, Elliott, who also had dyslexia.
When Justin died, Elliott launched a nonprofit called Driving for Dyslexia.
Driving for Dyslexia helps train teachers in the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction.
Experts say kids with dyslexia must be taught with this approach to become proficient readers.
Beth Durrett was trained and said it's benefiting her entire class in Mooresville.
The kids know their sounds and now all read at grade level or above.
We want to help this nonprofit train more teachers like Beth.
For every $600 we raise, we could train one teacher.
You donated $2,430 to Driving for Dyslexia! Click here to donate.
5/16/2022 — This week's Send the Love micro-giving campaign is focused on a small, nonprofit that builds wheelchair ramps for low-income, permanently disabled people.
The group is Servants at Work or just SAWs. Their mission is to change lives one ramp at a time.
Steven has cerebral palsy and benefited from SAWs. The group built a new ramp for Steven that replaced an old, wobbly ramp that didn't have guardrails.
Volunteers built it in six hours, and Steven can now safely get out of his house.
This nonprofit wants to help 400 Hoosiers this year, but the price of lumber has skyrocketed.
If we pool all those small donations together and raise $250, SAWs will have enough money to purchase ramp joists and handrails for two ramp sections.
$500 would allow SAWs to buy wooden decking, platforms and handrails for one ramp.
But our goal is bigger than that! If we raise $2,000, that will pay for an entire ramp for someone who needs that accessibility and freedom.
You raised $4,340 for Servants at Work! Click here to donate.
5/9/2022 — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we want to feature a small, local nonprofit helping adults recover from mental illness.
Sevella has suffered from mental illness most of her life. But, when she got involved with Circle City Clubhouse, she found a place that didn't judge her. She felt accepted.
Sevella grew her art skills, got a job doing clerical work and now has enough self-confidence to do speeches about mental illness.
The motto of Circle City Clubhouse is "recovering life together."
We can help them. If we raise $250, we will pay for their vegetable garden that gives these Hoosiers the experience of planting and eating what they grow.
$500 in donations would pay for the group of 30 to enjoy a cookout for Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
If we raise $2,000, Circle City Clubhouse will have enough money for their lunch program for six months. This provides great practical experience of buying groceries, cooking and serving all the food.
You donated to $1841 to Circle City Clubhouse! Click here to donate.
5/2/2022 — The mission of this week's featured nonprofit is to connect veterans with rescue dogs.
Veteran's Best Friend - Indiana trains rescue animals for veterans.
This nonprofit believes dogs can ease anxiety, loneliness, depression and even help with PTSD symptoms.
Veterans like Christopher have really benefited from the nonprofit. Christopher served in Iraq and suffers from PTSD. He got his dog, Ernie, from Veteran's Best Friend - Indiana.
Christopher said Ernie is a loving dog and a constant companion. Ernie is basically Christopher's shadow because they go everywhere together.
Wouldn't it be great to provide more veterans like Christopher with a loving pet?
If we raise $250, we would pay for most adoption fees to a local shelter or a rescue to get a dog.
$500 in donations would pay for everything a dog needs to start a new life with a veteran. This money would buying vaccines, food, treats, toys, a crate and more.
If we are able to raise $1,000, we would pay for a professional dog trainer to interview a veteran, do a home inspection and train a dog for four to six weeks.
You donated $5,080 to Veteran's Best Friend - Indiana! Click here to donate.
4/25/2022 — Parkinson's disease is chronic and progressive and there is no cure.
The mission of Indiana Parkinson Foundation is to provide programs and services to those battling the disease to improve their lives physically, mentally and spiritually.
One of the ways the organization helps is through exercise programs.
Exercise is a vital component in the lives of those with Parkinson's and helps combat the rigidity caused by Parkinson's. Exercise also helps them with endurance, range of motion, balance, strength and more.
Deb Williams knows this it true because she was diagnosed with Parkinson's 22 years ago. She said if Parkinson's patients don't move they go downhill fast.
That's why she joined an Indiana Parkinson Foundation exercise class called the "CLIMB" where patients work on stretching, increasing their range of motion and improving balance and strength.
It helps them not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually.
Deb not only participates in The CLIMB, she also leads the class in drumming where they use drumsticks and trash cans.
She said the rhythmic beat of drumming helps her walk better.
Let's help Hoosiers with Parkinson's to get exercise by supporting the Indiana Parkinson Foundation.
If we raise $25, one Parkinson's patient could join a virtual exercise class for a month. $360 would allow one Hoosier with Parkinson's to join the CLIMB exercise program for an entire year.
If we raise $3,600, ten Hoosiers with Parkinson's could be in the CLIMB exercise class for an entire year.
You donated $4,546 to the Indiana Parkinson Foundation! Click here to donate.
4/18/2022 — This featured nonprofit believes getting kids involved in the arts can be a catalyst for positive change.
Kids Dance Outreach provides dance programs to children in IPS and charter schools at no cost to them or their families.
This nonprofit wants to reach children from all walks of life so they help kids like LaDarryn who had never danced before.
His family couldn't afford dance lessons so KDO gave LaDarryn and thousands of children like him a chance to dance for free.
Dancing has been great for LaDarryn. His mom said he has been dancing to jazz and hip hop, but he really loves country because it's high energy. LaDarryn now has more confidence in sports and his grades have gone up too.
Our micro-giving campaign can help more kids like LaDarryn experience the transformative power of the arts.
If we raise $250, an entire class of 30 kids can participate in a one-day dance workshop.
A thousand dollars would be enough money to get one child from one workshop all the way through the process to the big stage.
If we raise $2,500, we would pay for an entire class of 30 kids to have an in school program that culminates with a performance in their school community.
You donated $2,095 to Kids Dance Outreach! Click here to donate.
4/11/2022 — It's estimated 1 in 78 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Our featured nonprofit, Ovar'Coming Together, wants to raise awareness for the disease.
If we raise $50, we can pay for ten "hope" packets that are filled with important resources for women who've just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
If we raise $3,500, the group can put up a billboard on the interstate to raise awareness for the disease. Think how many women will see it and begin to talk with their doctors about the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
$4,000 in donations would pay for the group's annual "Turn The Canal Teal" awareness event.
You donated $3,339 to Ovar'Coming Together. Click here to donate.
4/4/2022 — This featured nonprofit is building the next generation of leaders through track and field. Most of the kids in AthLEAD Indy have never run track before.
Running and jumping is only part of the mission. AthLEAD wants to mentor these kids and make them feel like leaders in their community.
That's why their organization is called AthLEAD Indy. They want to encourage the kids to set and reach personal goals.
Here's their challenge: a lot of their equipment is second hand and some of it is falling apart.
If we raise $250, they could buy 12 new hurdles for drills and get a new starting block for the track team. If we raise $500, we would cover new track shoes for all 110 kids. If we're able to raise $2,000, it would help two of their seniors pay for college.
A $5 donation would help these young kids feel that support, and a new pair of shoes might help them set a new personal best on the track.
You donated $4,500 to AthLEAD Indy. Click here to donate.
3/28/2022 — Our "Send the Love" campaign will be a little different this week.
With the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, we're reacting to your calls to help and are partnering up with The Midwest Food Bank.
The Midwest Food Bank is here in Indy. They are a larger nonprofit that sends packets of food overseas.
The first truckload destined for Ukraine is on its way right now.
It's going to cost $60,000 for their initial effort. We may not be able to pay for it all, but we can try. Let's all help out and see how many meals we can provide Ukrainian refugees.
Your donations will go to good use. $5 provides 25 servings of a nutritious, high protein meal. These meals include rice and beans and are fortified with protein, essential vitamins and minerals.
You donated $29,228 to The Midwest Food Bank. Click here to donate.
3/21/2022 — Breastfeeding is one of the biggest challenges facing new moms. One of my daughters has struggled breastfeeding her baby girl. In some cases new moms need donor milk for their newborns. Helping these new mothers is the focus of this week's Send The Love nonprofit.
The Milk Bank is similar to a blood bank. It receives, pasteurizes and dispenses breast milk as lifesaving medicine for premature and fragile infants.
Kids like Bailen have been helped by The Milk Bank. Bailen needed surgery as a baby and was too weak to nurse. His mom, Kelsey, then had clogged ducts she described as having a traffic jam for breast milk. Her supply dipped, so Kelsey relied on donated milk to feed her baby for a couple of weeks and said it helped take the stress away.
Bailen just celebrated his 1st birthday and is doing great. You can be a hero for babies like Bailen.
If we raise $25, we would cover the cost of a cooler and dry ice so a milk donor can mail a donation from home.
If we combine all our small donations and raise $2,000, The Milk Bank could replace their broken bottle filler in their lab which would help them get milk quickly to the babies that need it.
And if we raise $4,000, The Milk Bank could offer 850 ounces of safe donor milk.
You donated $3,076 to The Milk Bank. Click here to donate.
3/14/2022 — It's almost prom season in Indiana, but many kids find the prom experience expensive.
This week, we are featuring a small, nonprofit that provides free dresses and tuxes for kids who can't afford them.
The charity is called The Gifted Gown.
Kyarie couldn't afford a dress. The Gifted Gown got her a beautiful blue dress for her homecoming at Pike High School and gave her this pink glittery dress for her prom.
Kyarie said she felt like a princess, and got so many compliments she gained confidence from those dresses.
Wouldn't it be great if we could help other people like Kyarie?
If you donate just $5, The Gifted Gown can provide a new piece of jewelry or a bow tie for someone in need.
If we raise $150 together, that's enough money to provide a gown or tuxedo, tie, or a piece of jewelry or handbag to wear for a special occasion.
If we are able to raise $2,000, The Gifted Gown could purchase a trailer or a mobile unit so they can drive around Indy and do "pop up" events with gowns and tuxes. This would be a big help to people who can't get to their Indy location.
You donated $1,819 to The Gifted Gown. Click here to donate.
3/7/2022 — A cancer diagnosis is such a challenging journey. Between the doctor appointments, surgery, chemo and radiation treatments, it can be draining physically, emotionally and financially.
Families who don't live near hospitals here in Indy often need a place to stay as they go back and forth to see their loved ones. The SON Foundation is a Christian organization providing free private rooms in a home for family members of cancer patients.
Leslie needed that because her husband, Justin, was in the hospital fighting esophageal cancer. They live near Fort Wayne. Hotels would have been really expensive, and a hospital chair isn't comfortable to sleep in. Leslie stayed at the "SON Foundation" home, off and on, for nearly a year and a half.
Sadly, her husband lost his battle with cancer.
Leslie told me she's still so thankful she could stay at the SON Foundation home to be close to her husband.
This week, we want to Send the Love to the SON Foundation so they can continue providing Christian lodging for people like Leslie.
If we pool all the money together, we could really help. $45 provides one night of lodging for a family and $315 would take care of one week of lodging for a family.
If we raise $1,350 we could provide a month of lodging for a family.
You donated $5,692 to the SON Foundation. Click here to donate.
2/28/2022 — Brandi and her husband Brandon both serve in the Air Force Reserve and they run a small nonprofit called Combat Cookies.
Brandi loves to bake, so they bake cookies and cupcakes and make them available in exchange for a donation. All the money raised goes toward sending cookies to military members around the world.
We talked to Abbie Wakefield who was stationed with the Air Force in Turkey. She said it was a such a breath of fresh air to get those delicious cookies.
As an added bonus, the box included pictures and letters from school-aged kids.
If we raise $500, they could send cookies to 15 military members. If we raise $2,500, they could replace their old refrigerator. And if we are able to raise $4,000 together, Combat Cookies could ship their treat boxes to ten military members every month for an entire year.
You raised $2,709 for Combat Cookies. Click here to donate.
2/21/2022 — Those of us who are dog lovers know the joy they bring us. This week's Send the Love nonprofit is a group that puts a high priority on the human-dog connection.
Paws and Think does many things, including training therapy dogs for hospital visits. They interact with patients, including kids like Silas. Silas was in the hospital a lot as a little boy and now that he's older he's training his dog Lulu to go into hospitals.
Another boy named Liam benefited from the "Paws and Think" youth canine program. Liam used to have a hard time talking with people until he spent time with a shelter dog named Tarzan.
That dog brought Liam out of his shell and now he wants to be a dog trainer.
You donated $6,172 to Paws and Think. Click here to donate.
2/14/2022 — You've heard of random acts of kindness but this week's featured nonprofit specializes in "not so random acts of kindness."
Michele's Mission of Love is intentional with making our community better.
They have a number of projects designed to make an impact in our community, like creating Easter baskets for foster kids, making mastectomy pillows for cancer patients or sleeping mats for the homeless.
Their founder told me their motto is simple: "We see you. We love you. We pray for you."
If we all pool our money together and raise $250, they can provide 12 makeup bags filled with beauty care items to women in shelters.
$500 would be enough to purchase 33 backpacks for foster kids, each filled with a stuffed animal, blanket, flashlight and toothbrush.
And, if we can raise $2,500 together, Michele's Mission of Love could buy 125 Easter baskets for foster kids that would be filled with Barbie dolls, Easter eggs and Lego sets.
You raised $2,833 to Michele's Mission of Love. Click here to donate.
2/7/2022 — Most of us don't think much about the plastic tabs you find on loaves of bread.
A Purdue grad student discovered a way to use them to help people.
Danielle Rothchild has collected 6 million of those bread tags, recycled them and used the money to buy wheelchairs for kids in need.
Kids like Alex, who was born with Cerebral Palsy. He spends nearly all day in a wheelchair, but his family didn't have the money to buy him one.
Danielle Cares for Chairs gave him a wheelchair, all thanks to money from those recycled bread tags.
If we all pool our money together, we can help Danielle get more wheelchairs to kids in need. If we raise $250, she can buy one wheelchair for a child. Another $250 would get free shipping labels to people who want to send in more bread tags.
If we raise $2,000 together, Danielle can provide a motorized wheelchair to a child.
As Danielle said, the more money raised, the more wheelchairs she can give out.
You donated $3,155 to Danielle Cares for Chairs. Click here to donate.
1/31/2022 — There are children in Central Indiana who don't have any books in their home. These areas are called "book deserts." Gina created the Indy Book Project because she wanted kids to have their own books, so they can build their own home libraries.
This small nonprofit has given away 61,000 books since 2018.
Wouldn't it be great, if we could buy more books and give them to kids who don't have any books at home?
For instance, if our community could raise $250, we could buy 250 board books which would let parents and grandparents read to babies and toddlers. $500 could buy 250 diverse books that would let kids see themselves in the books they read. If we can raise $2,000 together, we could help the Indy Book Project expand their summer reading program.
You donated more than $5,874 to the Indy Book Project. Click here to donate.
1/24/2022 — Having a baby is so exciting, but it can also be very stressful, especially for single parents. One Indiana nonprofit is trying to make an impact by helping out single parents.
Sunflowers Bundles of Joy provides diaper bags and other important baby items to single parents, like VON'yah. She's expecting a baby boy in February and Sunflowers Bundles of Joy gave her a diaper bag filled with pacifiers, blankets, clothes, and diapers.
If each of us gave $5, we could combine all the donations and help this nonprofit do amazing things for women like VON'yah.
$250 would pay for five diaper bags filled with important baby items.
If we raise $1,000, we could pay for 20 diaper bags filled with other things a single parent needs.
And, if we combine all those small donations and raise $2,500, we could give 50 single parents a diaper bag filled with all those other great items.
You donated more than $3,100 to Sunflowers Bundles of Joy. Click here to donate.
1/17/2022 — The Pink Ribbon Connection provides emotional support, resources and education to those touched by breast cancer.
If we raise $250, that'll pay for 50 patient resource kits for newly diagnosed cancer patients. $500 will provide 10 new mastectomy bras to breast cancer patients. If we raise $2,500, we would pay for 25 wigs for women who lose their hair after chemo.
You donated $2,503 to Pink Ribbon Connection. Click here to donate.
1/10/2022 — 20% of kids in Noblesville are at risk for food insecurity. In other words, one in five kids in Noblesville aren't sure where they'll get food today.
A group of teachers in Noblesville knew about this problem, and they came up with a solution called Fueled for School. The nonprofit feeds hundreds of students, from elementary through high school.
The group creates meal packs for the food insecure kids to eat every weekend during the school year. They also provide meal boxes for the kids during summertime as well as fall and spring break.
Every $5 donated will pay for one weekend box for a student who is considered food insecure.
If we all pool our money together and raise $500, we would pay for the fruit needed for every child's meal box during spring break.
And, if we could raise $5,000 together, we would fund all the food for 300 kids during a spring break.
You donated $8,941 to Fueled for School. Click here to donate.
1/3/2022 — Diapers are the focus of this Send the Love campaign.
Indiana Diaper Bank gathers diapers and wipes and provides them to Indiana families who can’t afford them. There are 20 organizations on the waiting list to get diapers from the Diaper bank, so the need is great. Families also need wipes because they’re expensive.
If we pool all of our money together and raise $300, we can provide a month supply of diapers for a women’s shelter here in Indy. $750 would provide enough baby wipes for one month and if we can raise $3,000, we could fund a pantry day for an entire community.
You donated $5,338 to Indiana Diaper Bank. Click here to donate.
12/27/2021 — Hanging out. Having fun. Making friends.
That's the goal of Hollis Adams, a nonprofit that helps adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities enjoy a good quality of life.
Hollis Adams serves about 25 people a day, and they operate out of a church.
Let's pool our money together and try to help out this important group. If we raise $250, Hollis Adams would have enough money to pay for gas for a month to take people on fun outings. If we raise $500, we could pay for lunch for a month. If we could raise $10,000 together, they could build an outdoor "Friendship Terrace" so their participants could have a safe outdoor space to enjoy.
You donated $2,390 to Hollis Adams. Click here to donate.
12/20/2021 — Indiana's maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate are some of the highest rates in the country. And we also learned that more than 500 Hoosier babies die before reaching their first birthday. Our new send a love campaign can help change that narrative. Today 13News is featuring an organization called Students for Healthy Moms and Babies foundation. This is a group that provides prenatal vitamins to underserved areas of our state. So they're sending prenatal vitamins to women who can't afford them.
If we raised $1,000, we could pay for the shipping costs to send these prenatal vitamins to the areas in Indiana that need it most. And if we were able to raise $20,000 we can fund a ride sharing program so these pregnant moms don't have to be at a bus stop waiting for a bus to pick them up and take them to a doctor, they could take a ride share to their doctor's office.
You donated $2,285 to Students for Healthy Moms and Babies. Click here to donate.
12/13/2021 — Indy Honor Flight puts veterans on an airplane here in Indianapolis and they take them to Washington DC to experience all the memorials and monuments there. They give them lunch, they get to hang out together and then they fly back the same day. It's an incredible experience for these vets, many of whom have never seen all there is to see in Washington DC.
The trouble is, Indy Honor Flight hasn't flown since this pandemic because these veterans are at high risk because of their age. They've got 1,100 veterans who are on a waiting list right now and they're hoping to fly again beginning in the spring of 2022.
If we raise just $10 as a community, we pay for one box lunch for one veteran in Washington, DC. If we raised $500, we could pay for one veteran to go to Washington DC and if we raised $110,000, we can pay an entire plane to take 85 veterans and all the support personnel to DC for an incredible trip.
You donated $13,033 to Indy Honor Flight. Click here to donate.
12/6/2021 — CHAMP Camp provides a summer camp experience for children with tracheostomies and those who require technological respiratory assistance. Campers can enjoy activities like swimming, canoeing, climbing and zip lining.
When 13News saw a story earlier this month about CHAMP Camp's former executive director being accused of stealing $26,000 from the nonprofit, we were worried CHAMP Camp might not be able to meet the needs of their campers.
Hoosiers donated $10,022 to CHAMP Camp. Click here to donate.
11/29/2021 — Seven Pillars Refuge Place Indy was founded by a formerly homeless person and works to improve the quality of life for those experiencing homelessness by providing food, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, emergency transportation and housing.
The nonprofit is entirely funded by donations and recently faced a setback after losing two vehicles.
Hoosiers donated $11,000 to the cause. Click here to donate.