Now that you have Black Friday out of your system – for those who celebrate – let’s switch gears for #GivingTuesday. Really, it hasn’t taken #GivingTuesday long (it’s been around since 2012) to become the Black Friday for nonprofits and social service agencies to get their messages out for potential community goodwill. USA Today reported the people chipped in $2.5 billion in the U.S. during #GivingTuesday 2020.
So, here’s today’s thread.
Today’s Based in Lafayette Thread: What Greater Lafayette organizations are you targeting for a donation this #GivingTuesday? What’s your best elevator pitch for why others should do the same?
As always, be cool to each other when responding. And thanks for reading and supporting the Based in Lafayette reporting project.
I have been giving to Lafayette Transitional Housing (LTHC) as part of my “holiday” annual donation but will be giving more often to give back to the community.
Lots of folks are going to privilege humans in their responses. But, animal shelters are getting lots of pandemic returns from people who wanted pets when they felt trapped inside. Pets aren't disposable. Please donate to Almost Home Humane Society (I have no affiliation). IF you want to donate to humans, consider Tippecanoe Arts Federation (not affiliated). We need to support local artists and art in general. And, it's always important to support Food Finders and Planned Parenthood Lafayette Health Center.
I am not limiting my giving to a single place. However, as board chair for a local non-profit, I want to put in a pitch for people to consider.
Therapeion Therapeutic Riding Center has programs for people with various limitations and disabilities -- physical, cognitive, and emotional. The programs involve interactions with horses, including structured riding and grooming. That may leave you a bit curious, but there is a lot of research that shows there is a real therapeutic benefit for these kinds of encounters. Those with physical limitations get a sense of movement and freedom being on a horse, and it helps develop core muscle groups. People with emotional and cognitive limitations react to horses differently than people (and vice versa). For instance, we had one case of an autistic child who spoke her first words -- to her horse!
The pandemic has meant we had to cancel some of our sessions this year because we have students (and volunteers) who are immune-compromised. That has cut into income. However, the horses still continue to need food, stable space, and vet care, so our expenses haven't stopped.
And consider coming to our open house -- Santa at the Stable -- on December 21 from 1-4 to have pictures taken with Santa and the elf-ponies; details on the website.
I will be supporting the non-profit organization that I founded in 2019, Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette. Our mission is to keep pets out of shelters, keep families together, and celebrate the human-animal bond. During 2020, at the height of the pandemic, we distributed over 40,000 lbs of food to local families: keeping those pets out of area shelters. Our focus is on education, outreach, and advocacy. Right now, our holiday program, Presents for Pets, is getting ready to donate presents for 100 local, low-income children to give to their pets (over 250 pets!). This program helps children, helps pets, helps families, and helps our community. We do a similar program (Heart to Heart) for low-income seniors for Valentine's Day. Please consider supporting our work: https://www.animaladvocatesgl.org/
My wife and I support the Lyn Treece Boys and Girls Club and it's Foundation. The Club serves over 900 young boys and girls in Greater Lafayette in two locations. Membership rates kept low and there are no program fees to members. Lafayette's youth are it's greatest asset and your donation can make a difference.
We spread our donations between a number of very worthwhile non-profits throughout the year as do many others. One that we support that needs your support is the Haan museum of Indiana Art. This is a relatively new (2015) non-profit that will require assistance for many years to remain a viable addition to the Greater Lafayette Arts scene. For those who have not been there, it is the former Connecticut Pavilion from the 1904 St. Louis World Fair that was moved to Lafayette by the Potter family. Purchased by Bob and Ellie Haan in 1984 it is filled with gorgeous period furniture and the best collection of Indiana paintings and ceramics anywhere. A visit is like stepping back into time and enjoying the home of a wealthy local. It is especially nice to visit between now and the end of the year when the house is decorated for the holidays, complete with a very elaborate train setup that runs through a number of rooms.
My local non-profit of choice is the Public Schools Foundation of Tippecanoe County. Readers of Dave’s column will recognize PSFTC from a story he posted a week ago about the grants given to local teachers. In short, PSFTC’s mission is to promote excellence in education and encourage classroom innovation by providing grants in academics and the arts to teachers in the public schools in Tippecanoe County. You might also recognize PSFTC from the cupcake run held each September, which helps fund some of the grants.
NICHES Land Trust, preserving natural places and ecosystems, so that nature can thrive and all can enjoy! @NICHESLandTrust.org
I have been giving to Lafayette Transitional Housing (LTHC) as part of my “holiday” annual donation but will be giving more often to give back to the community.
Of course, any good cause is worthy.
Lots of folks are going to privilege humans in their responses. But, animal shelters are getting lots of pandemic returns from people who wanted pets when they felt trapped inside. Pets aren't disposable. Please donate to Almost Home Humane Society (I have no affiliation). IF you want to donate to humans, consider Tippecanoe Arts Federation (not affiliated). We need to support local artists and art in general. And, it's always important to support Food Finders and Planned Parenthood Lafayette Health Center.
LUM - Lafayette Urban Ministry and the WLSEF - West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation get my major $ besides St Thomas Aquinas Church -Purdue.
I am not limiting my giving to a single place. However, as board chair for a local non-profit, I want to put in a pitch for people to consider.
Therapeion Therapeutic Riding Center has programs for people with various limitations and disabilities -- physical, cognitive, and emotional. The programs involve interactions with horses, including structured riding and grooming. That may leave you a bit curious, but there is a lot of research that shows there is a real therapeutic benefit for these kinds of encounters. Those with physical limitations get a sense of movement and freedom being on a horse, and it helps develop core muscle groups. People with emotional and cognitive limitations react to horses differently than people (and vice versa). For instance, we had one case of an autistic child who spoke her first words -- to her horse!
The pandemic has meant we had to cancel some of our sessions this year because we have students (and volunteers) who are immune-compromised. That has cut into income. However, the horses still continue to need food, stable space, and vet care, so our expenses haven't stopped.
People who want to know more can visit <https://therapeiontrc.com>. To donate, go to <https:/.therapeiontrc.com> (it is tax-deductible -- we are a 501(c)3 charity.
And consider coming to our open house -- Santa at the Stable -- on December 21 from 1-4 to have pictures taken with Santa and the elf-ponies; details on the website.
I will be supporting the non-profit organization that I founded in 2019, Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette. Our mission is to keep pets out of shelters, keep families together, and celebrate the human-animal bond. During 2020, at the height of the pandemic, we distributed over 40,000 lbs of food to local families: keeping those pets out of area shelters. Our focus is on education, outreach, and advocacy. Right now, our holiday program, Presents for Pets, is getting ready to donate presents for 100 local, low-income children to give to their pets (over 250 pets!). This program helps children, helps pets, helps families, and helps our community. We do a similar program (Heart to Heart) for low-income seniors for Valentine's Day. Please consider supporting our work: https://www.animaladvocatesgl.org/
My wife and I support the Lyn Treece Boys and Girls Club and it's Foundation. The Club serves over 900 young boys and girls in Greater Lafayette in two locations. Membership rates kept low and there are no program fees to members. Lafayette's youth are it's greatest asset and your donation can make a difference.
Some of the places that feed the hungry and help house those in need: LTHC (transitional housing), Food Finders, LUM, Family Promise.
We spread our donations between a number of very worthwhile non-profits throughout the year as do many others. One that we support that needs your support is the Haan museum of Indiana Art. This is a relatively new (2015) non-profit that will require assistance for many years to remain a viable addition to the Greater Lafayette Arts scene. For those who have not been there, it is the former Connecticut Pavilion from the 1904 St. Louis World Fair that was moved to Lafayette by the Potter family. Purchased by Bob and Ellie Haan in 1984 it is filled with gorgeous period furniture and the best collection of Indiana paintings and ceramics anywhere. A visit is like stepping back into time and enjoying the home of a wealthy local. It is especially nice to visit between now and the end of the year when the house is decorated for the holidays, complete with a very elaborate train setup that runs through a number of rooms.
My local non-profit of choice is the Public Schools Foundation of Tippecanoe County. Readers of Dave’s column will recognize PSFTC from a story he posted a week ago about the grants given to local teachers. In short, PSFTC’s mission is to promote excellence in education and encourage classroom innovation by providing grants in academics and the arts to teachers in the public schools in Tippecanoe County. You might also recognize PSFTC from the cupcake run held each September, which helps fund some of the grants.