Indiana’s Tobacco Prevention Program

Brandee Bastin spoke to Kiwanis about her work with Indiana’s Tobacco Prevention Program. Working for a tobacco free Indiana has been a priority for ten years. The mission is to create a healthier community through the prevention and cessation of tobacco use in Hancock County.


In the past ten years, smoking rates for high school youth have dropped by 42 percent. Adult smoking rates have decreased from 27 percent to 23 percent. This means there are 207,000 fewer smokers in Indiana. Over the past decade decreased tobacco use has saved $3.1 billion in future health care costs, including $512 million in Medicaid claims. Indiana’s prevention program manages without tax dollars. These services are funded by the Master Settlement Agreement between Indiana and the tobacco industry.

Over 70% of Indiana’s schools have a tobacco free campus. Bastin says that while much has been accomplished, there is still work to be done. Indiana has a 21% smoking rate which sounds good until compared with 17% nationwide which puts us in the top ten tobacco using states.

One of Bastin’s favorite facts used to emphasis the harm of tobacco use is that “Tobacco is the only legal product that kills one third of its users if used as directed”.

For more information about ways to quit smoking, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit; http://www.indianaquitline.net/.

Marty Foster, New Kiwanian

 Marty Foster (left) and Elisa Bell spoke to Kiwanis last week.  Foster, a new member, spoke as a "Meet Your Kiwanian."  Bell invited Kiwanians to the Denim & Diamonds Dinner Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Indiana Downs Casino.  Proceeds go to support Edelweiss Equine-Assisted Therapy Center.  For more information about time and cost, send an e-mail to info@edelweisscenter.org.

Kiwanis Key Club

Terry Beagle, Nicole Morley and Pat Parker converse at a Kiwanis meeting. Beagle was Nicole’s advisor when she was in the Builders Club in middle school and Parker is her present Key Club advisor.


Nicole Morley, President of the Key Club at Greenfield Central High School, spoke to Kiwanis about her experience at Kiwanis Service Leadership Conference. Approximately 100 students attended the conference held at Rancho Framasa in Nashville, Indiana. Greenfield Kiwanis sponsored Nicole at the conference. Nicole thanked Kiwanians for the opportunity for the experience that she thoroughly enjoyed. The program was created by Kiwanis International and is conducted by adult and student facilitators. While at the conference, Morley met many new friends and learned that a Key Leader is an active listener, is empathetic, committed to the community, aware of self and others, helps people grow, is persuasive, is compassionate, builds community, is caring and turns goals and plans into action.

Hancock County Hope House

Kelley Mires from the Hancock County Hope House spoke to Kiwanis. She told that the Hope House serves people from Hancock, Rush and Shelby counties. There is a 35 bed capacity limit. Even though Hope House is considered to be the “Ritz” of homeless shelters, they still have rules and regulations that patrons must follow. If you are staying at the Hope House, there are educational programs provided to help with banking, parenting and job searching. A 7:00 a.m. wake up time is observed with clean up help required and then out to begin a job or job search from 9:00 to 5:00. Curfew is observed with lights out by 11:00 p.m. and earlier for children staying in the Home. Hope House is funded by donations and grants. They also work with county teens on a youth board called YEAH which stands for Youth Educating and Advocating for Homeless.


Hope House sponsors youth services, programs and a thrift store. Individuals or families may stay as long as needed providing rules are followed and an effort is made to learn and become independent.

Hancock Senior Services

Linda Hart, director of Hancock County Senior Services, spoke to Kiwanis. She told of the many services offered. They include Transportation which is approximately 50% of the program. They provide non-emergency transportation for various destinations. Rides are scheduled first come-first served. Wheelchair transportation is also available. One does not have to be a senior to use the program. Other programs are; Volunteer visitors to reduce isolation and provide general assistance; Homemaker services that provide light housekeeping assistance; Telephone Reassurance and Safety checks; Outreach where staff provides in-home assessment and assists with bill payment along with other advice; Handyman provides basic yard care, snow removal, minor repairs; Respite/Assisted Care to relieve an unpaid caregiver by providing supervision assistance; Information and Referral to answer questions for community resources and Legal Assistance. Payment for services is based on ability to pay and difficulty of duties.


The Transportation program has 16 trained drivers. A strict drug and alcohol restriction requirement is enforced and drivers are randomly tested. The program is lucky to have a highly skilled driver trainer on staff.

Hancock Senior Services is presently planning to build new offices and garages so they don’t waste time removing ice and snow. They are hoping to get funding from a large donation from Eli Lilly. The fund provides 50% of the cost so grants and other fund raisers will be necessary. In 2003 three hundred ninety patrons were served with over 900 being served already this year.

For more information call 462-3758 or website: hcssi.org

Indianapolis Airport Authority

Susan Sullivan from the Indianapolis Airport Authority was introduced by December program chairman, Marty Foster, to Kiwanis.


Susan Sullivan from the Indianapolis Airport Authority spoke to Kiwanis. She was proud to tell us that the airport was number one in North America for airports serving fewer than 10 million passengers per year as reported by JD Powers and Associates. Airports were judged on cleanliness and speed of check-in by those polled. The airport is further recognized as one of the top airports for handling cargo shipments.

She told that the new airport was the result of over thirty years of study and planning. They are presently conducting studies on land use and new service development. Use of the old airport is presently undecided. Many suggestions have been made for use, such as a shopping mall or more cargo distribution centers.

Christmas Carols at Kiwanis

Vicki Emmons, left, introduced Julie Dishman who led the Kiwanians in a spirited contest of “Do you know your Christmas Carols”.  It was discovered that half of the group did not know the words to “Oh Christmas Tree” which allowed the “White Christmas” group to win the contest which kicked off the holiday season for Kiwanis.