For many families, the holidays are a time for giving.
Whether you donate money or give of your time, this is the season volunteering and donations are especially needed.
We went around Johnson County to ask: How do you give?
Residents told us about the causes they support and why they are close to their hearts.
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Name: Karen Buckler
Residence: Franklin
Causes: Donates to the Rotary International Foundation. Also gives gift cards and food donations through her business to Girls Inc., Franklin Chamber of Commerce, clubs and groups at Franklin Community High School.
Why I give: “I am a member (of Rotary). All of the good work they do locally and internationally.”
Name: Nola Porter
Residence: Greenwood
Causes: Donates to United Way of Johnson County, including school-focused programs. Sings at the Hearth at Stones Crossing.
Why I give: “My Dad was an Alzheimer’s patient and music was a wonderful way (to help him).” On United Way: “It’s a school effort to give back. They help great causes.”
Name: Patty Kaschak
Residence: Center Grove
Causes: United Way; sponsors a family through United Way Christmas Angel
Why I give: “We are helping local families in the community; they are basically neighbors.”
Name: John Phillips
Residence: Franklin
Causes: American Lung Association; Akta Lakota schools in South Dakota.
Why I give: Family has a history of lung disease and serving in the military. “(Donating to the schools) is our apology to what we did to (Native Americans).”
Name: Brian Rexroat
Residence: Edinburgh
Causes: Buys Christmas presents for clients living in 12 group homes.
Why I give: “I work with them and see that some of them don’t have family. I try to make their Christmas happy.”
Name: Mary Kay Anthony
Residence: Center Grove area
Causes: Humane Society of Indianapolis, DonorsChoose, Gateway Services of Johnson County, Kiwanis Club of Greenwood, Indiana Kiwanis, Kiwanis International, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Little Red Door Cancer Agency, Samaritan Services, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Alliance of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Heifer International, Disabled Veterans, Indiana Veterans Assistant Corp., VFW, Smile Train. Volunteers with Kindred Hospice, Kiwanis services, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Shepherd’s Table, Gateway Services.
Why I give: “I have been very blessed in my life, and I want to give back to my community in whatever ways I can. I think it was Winston Churchill who said: ‘We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.’ But no matter whoever said it, I believe in that philosophy.”
Name: David Allen
Residence: Bloomington
Cause: Salvation Army, gives in person to bell ringers and sends the organization financial donations
Why I give: “It’s something I’ve been doing for a long time. It started with my parents. It’s a tradition.”
Name: Kirstie Conley
Residence: Indianapolis
Causes: College volunteer work with food pantries and other community organizations, particularly around Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Why I give:Â “Nonprofits are the backbone of a community. There are many people who are struggling (whose plights are unknown) to many other people.”
Name: Leslie Quint
Residence: Franklin
Causes: The Salvation Army or other volunteers who collect money for charities in person around the holidays.
Why I give: “There are a lot of people who are less fortunate. To me it is just feels right. I’ve been where other people have been.”
Name: Mark Stevenson
Residence: Franklin
Causes: The Giving Tree, church mission projects
Why I give: “I’m blessed. I have four sons and a daughter who are out of college, so we’re able to.”
Name: Janessa Lima
Residence: Indianapolis
Causes: Has mentored and tutored children in the past, a passion that continues in her work today
Why I give: “I love seeing kids succeed and thrive and do well.”
Name: Ravneet Kaur
Residence: Greenwood
Causes: Preparing and serving food at The Refuge
Why I give: “To help people with low incomes get food. It makes me happy that I did something good.”
Name: Bryant Sparks
Residence: Greenwood
Causes: Christmas Angels program through the United Way
Why I give: “I’ve been extremely blessed. It’s something I can do to help.”
Name: Paula Frazier
Residence: Greenwood
Causes: Feed the Children, Salvation Army
Why I give: “I have a heart for children during the holidays that may not have have as much.”
Name: Linnea Mitchell
Residence: Greenwood
Causes: Harvest Bible Chapel
Why I give: “Reaching out to people is important because people need to be loved.”
