It’s the small things that add up to big things. On December 6, a whole bunch of people (about 200, but that number seemed low to me) dressed up for a fundraiser that seemed more like a big east side Christmas party — and raised over $15,000 for The PourHouse. It was a wonderful night that revealed just how deep and broad the support is for Andrea DeMink’s organization that helps chronically homeless men in Indianapolis. Andrea and her crew spend every day finding ways to help “her guys” as she calls them — whether it’s a sandwich and warm drink, or boots for a job, or a roof over their head. The folks who came to bid on the silent auction, buy mystery presents and raffle tickets, or went all-in for an original Rita Spalding painting (painted during the evening) and a bottle of Dom Perignon during the live auction knew they were helping a neighbor help others.
Ethel Winslow/Weekly View
Some of the toys collected for Gaia Works.
This past week, we’ve also seen the support from the community for Gaia Works, Jan DeFerbrache’s mighty band of volunteers who bring holiday cheer to local families, as well as to the families at Coburn Place, a shelter for domestic abuse victims. Quite a few people dropped by our office with bags and boxes of toys, scarves, games, gloves, and more to help give the kids a good Christmas. One gentleman dropped off a big box of stuffed animals and toys a scant hour after a lady dropped off two big bags of stocking stuffers and scarves. It has been a joy to collect items for Gaia Works, and to be able to thank people personally for their generosity.
Like Andrea, Jan is passionate about helping people. Neither one of these ladies gets a salary for their work — and the organizations they’ve created don’t qualify for the big-name grants because their goals aren’t about feeding X number of people in a certain period of time, or getting Y percentage into housing. Their goals are much deeper and more profound — and harder to measure. Every person they encounter who is hungry, tired, confused, or cold is a person to them — not a number, not a “problem” to be solved. They believe in the dignity and value of each person they meet, and they work to uphold that person’s dignity and value. And their commitment to bringing out the highest and best in each person they meet is unwavering.
It is the giving season. If you missed out, consider making cash donations. Gaia Works, Inc., 203 S. Audubon Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46219. The PourHouse, 55 Monument Circle, Suite 1324, Indianapolis, IN 46204
