Meet You Kiwanian

Pam Bennett was the Meet Your Kiwanian speaker this week.  Pam moved to Greenfield four years ago and recently opened Bennett, LLC, an elder law firm.   Pam previously worked as a defense attorney representing insurance clients.   She also volunteers at the Senior Law Project helping seniors on a pro bono basis.   Pam will lead an Advanced Directive (Living Will) session at the Hancock County Public Library at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, February 6.  The session is free and notaries will be available to allow participants to leave with a free living will.  For registration go to http://hcplibrary.org/programs/ and scroll down to Make an Advance Directive (Living Will).

New Fairgrounds by 2019?

Darren Couch of the Hancock County Exposition board predicted that it is possible that the 2019 4-H Fair could be held at the new fairgrounds and Exposition center if the plans go as he hopes over the next couple of months.   The original 2003 project would have cost only $18 million to relocate the fairground to county owned property east of Greenfield.  That project died for various reasons.  The current proposal would relocate the fairgrounds to the same property as in 2003 but will cost $30 million dollars.   The new proposal would allow for the Horse and Pony Pavilion to be a part of the fair.  The new facilities would also include an exposition center  which could be used year around for other meetings and shows.  Couch emphasized that this proposal first and foremost about the fair and the youth of this county but not only about them.  

County Highway Engineer

Gary Poole, Hancock County Highway Engineer told Kiwanis about the operations and funding of Hancock Highways.  Poole, a Professional Engineer and graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology said he was always concerned about salt, asphalt, and signage.   Hancock County has 686 miles of road with only 20 miles being gravel.  

Poole discussed the gas tax,car excise, highway funding, road ratings, and traffic.  The audience expressed their appreciation for the snow removal efforts last year and the departments effort to improve county roads

Womens Resource Center

De'Von Kissick-Kelly, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center told Kiwanis about the Center, it's clients, and services Tuesday.  The Center is a funded project of the Women's Fund of the Hancock County Community Foundation. The Women's Center provides mentoring and connections to programs and services that help women and their families achieve self-sufficiency.To get more information or assistance call 317.695.1502 or e-mail devonkk@hcwrc.org.

Meals on Wheels

 

Kathleen Vahle, Executive Director of Hancock County Meals on Wheels told Kiwanis about the daily delivery of meals to homebound seniors, disabled, and those recovering from illness or injury.  Kiwanis has provided volunteers to deliver meals since the program began in Hancock County in 2001. 

 Meals on Wheels deliver a hot meal and a cold meal that is adjusted to a prescription from the client’s doctors.    Emergency meals are also provided that has shelf stable food that can be used if a delivery cannot be accomplished because of weather.  

Hancock County Meals on Wheels delivered 19,000 meals during 9,500 deliveries using 135 volunteers last year.  In addition to delivering the meals the volunteers provide a daily human connection to check on the client’s welfare.  The cost of the daily service is $7.50 with subsidized rates available.

For information on Meals on Wheels visit their website http://www.mealsonwheelsonline.org/ or call 317-477-4345.

Goodwill Industries (and more)

                           Bryan Spellman, Events and Collections Manager, Goodwill Industries

Bryan Spellman, Events and Collections Manager of Goodwill Industries told Kiwanis that the mission of Goodwill is to eliminate generational poverty.  The retail operations helps fulfill part of the mission and funds the rest. 

Goodwill 's programs include a Charter High School, Indianapolis Metropolitan High School.  Students who meet their expectations are guaranteed college acceptance or the opportunity to earn placement in a high demand career.

Ten central Indiana Excel Centers offer tuition free adult high school leading to a high school diploma.  Flexible schedules and classes, in house day care, and transportation assistance enable the students to earn a core 40 diploma as adults.

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) pairs mothers pregnant with their first child with a registered nurse for ongoing home visits aimed at supporting mothers and families in providing the very best start for their children during the earliest, most developmentally critical years.

Job seeker services includes direct employment as well as placement with for profit business.

Non-profit organizations can assist Goodwill through the Collect & Connect Program.  The organization starts a collection program by contacting Goodwill and thee non-profits then fill 13 gallon bags with clothing.  Each bag is taken to the local collection center.  At the end of the collection period Goodwill issues a $5 voucher for each bag donated.  The vouchers can be redeemed at any Central Indiana Goodwill store for clothing and shoes.  The non-profit can give the vouchers to an agency to distribute to those in need or give them away directly,  For more information on Goodwill or their programs contact Bryan Spellman (bspellman@goodwillindy.org) or 317.524.4074.

Greenfield Kiwanis Santa House

Santa gets a skeptical look from a young lady at the Santa House last Sunday.