Each drive is different…Whether it is an office chili cook-off, a coat drive, or a collection of monetary donations, it is exciting to so many creative groups helping out others during the holiday season.

The IU Health  Affinity groups had their own idea for a Holiday Helpings drive that, fortunately and gratefully, we were the beneficiary.  This drive was different, not in the way the donations were collected but in the way they were given.

When we went to pick up the donated items, the expectation was to drop by, load up and express our great thanks for these groups’ continued support for the 3rd year in a row.  However, when we arrived, the Affinity groups had a different plan in mind.

We were warmly greeted, asked to speak to the Affinity groups about our Homeless Initiative and Better Indy Babies programs (the specific programs that benefited from the drive), and then we had the opportunity to talk with many of the group members.

This experience went above
and beyond!

The groups’ willingness to learn more about these programs gave a sense of partnership, rather than just giving and receiving.

We appreciate EVERYTHING that the IU Health Affinity groups did for the Homeless Initiative and Better Indy Babies programs this year.  We are very grateful for the generosity shown, and the willingness to go beyond giving donations and wanting to learn more about how their donations will help!

It’s NOT Too Late! You can still hold a Holiday Helpings Drive!!

The needs are still great. Many holiday assistance programs have exhausted their resources – yet families in our programs still have needs.

Whether it’s the quick donation of a gift card or asking everyone who comes to your house for a holiday dinner to bring warm gloves for the homeless, you can learn why a Holiday Helpings Drive is vital to furthering the HealthNet mission and what is on our Holiday Wish List!

All of our BIBs & Healthy Families participants along with the homeless individuals served by our Homeless Initiative Program will need help beyond just the holiday season.  You can contact us about running your own drive by calling – 317-781-4918, every little bit helps!

Each drive is different…Whether it is an office bake sale, a canned food drive, or a collection of monetary donations, it is fun to see the creativity of groups in accomplishing the goal of helping out others during the holiday season.

The IU Health Women’s and Minority Affinity groups had their own idea for a Holiday Helpings drive that, fortunately and gratefully, we were the beneficiary.  This drive was different, not in the way the donations were collected but in the way they were given.

When we went to pick up the donated items, the expectation was to drop by, load up and express our great thanks for these groups’ continued support for the 2^nd year in a row.  However, when we arrived, the Affinity groups had a different plan in mind.

We were warmly greeted, asked to speak to the Affinity groups about our Homeless Initiative and Better Indy Babies programs (the specific programs that benefitted from the drive), and then we had the opportunity to mingle and talk with many of the group members.

This experience went above
and beyond!

flickr photo by stevendepolo

The groups’ willingness to learn more about these programs gave a sense of partnership, a two-way road, rather than just giving and receiving.

One woman from the group even expressed to us just how important the Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) was to her personally. She had been touched by HIP’s efforts to help her own family member out of homelessness.

Another group member was glad to hear stories from our staff.  So much so, that she decided to give Better Indy Babies the proceeds from a Holiday Fundraising Party she had recently held with a group of friends.

We appreciate EVERYTHING that the IU Health Women’s and Minority Affinity groups did for the Homeless Initiative and Better Indy Babies programs this year.  We are very grateful for the generosity shown, and the willingness to go beyond giving donations and wanting to learn more about how their donations will help!

You can still hold a Holiday Helpings Drive!!

You can learn why a Holiday Helpings Drive is vital to furthering the HealthNet mission or what is on our Holiday Wish List!  With warm weather lingering, the cold is still to come.  All of our BIBs & Healthy Families participants along with the homeless individuals served by our Homeless Initiative Program will need help beyond just the holiday season.  You can contact us about running your own drive by calling – 317-781-4918, every little bit helps!