Positivity

By: Meridian Health Services— Muncie, IN—Philanthropic endeavors have leaders who believe in the cause and champion for it!  For a decade, Charlie Sursa and Fred Reese have been particularly instrumental in Meridian’s philanthropic efforts and are being recognized as recipients of Meridian’s 2019 Spirit of Meridian Award. Philanthropy means the love of humanity—it is the pulse of not-for-profit organizations such as Meridian Health Services. Through the passion and dedication of Sursa, Reese and Meridian’s board and staff, Meridian has grown and…

By: Nancy Carlson— Muncie, IN—Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association (RNC), in partnership with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, held an event called LAUNDRY LOVE this past weekend. With a grant from Thrivent, the partners provided a $10 roll of quarters to the first 25 families who came into the White Spot Coin Laundromat, the only one in the neighborhood. Brian Schrieve, the White Spot’s owner, said “Clean clothes are like a new haircut. They make you feel good about yourself.” Sixty percent…

By: Paul Ward, Spiritual Life Coordinator, Youth Opportunity Center— Muncie, IN—The signs of Easter are everywhere. Stores are covered in pastel colored designs. Chocolate eggs are on every shelf. Churches are practicing Easter plays. Lilies and daffodils will soon be in bloom. Even though the date of Easter changes, we never seem to miss it. There’s one sign that many of us don’t think about or even know about. Forty-six days before Easter, there will be an unmistakable sign. Many…

By: Paul Ward, Spiritual Life Coordinator, Youth Opportunity Center— What are you thankful for? It’s a simple question to ask. The words roll off the tongue like a worn out cliché. Without a doubt many will gather around a dinner table with friends and family this year and ask each other this very same question. People may ask in regular conversation. Countless social media posts with this question will weave in and out of timelines and feeds. There will be…

By: Zack Wallens— NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress and Chelsea Football Club (Chelsea FC) on Thursday held the final competition in the US portion of a global campaign to combat widespread racism, anti-semitism and xenophobia in sports. Former Muncie resident Seren Fryatt, was named as the winner, receiving a $10,000 grant from Chelsea FC and the WJC to turn her dream into reality. The Pitch for Hope competition called on young people ages 18-30 in the United States,…

Muncie, IN— Muncie-based artist, photographer and sculptor Tom Farris won 1st place in  the Photography Category of the Grant County Art Association 2018 Spring Open Show with his photograph titled “Symphonic Light Study #3”. The blue ribbon and cash-award winning photograph was an image of the art light installation at Sursa Hall at Ball State University –one of a series taken by Farris.  The competition was open to entries from artists throughout Indiana. Judge for the Spring Show was David Hannon,…

By: Deborah Salazar Shapiro, MSW— “The earth laughs in flowers,” said the American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. I believe the earth not only laughs in flowers but also in trees, animals, fruits, and vegetables! Her generosity toward all of us is beyond compare. But can you remember the last time you connected with the joy, compassion, and abundance our planet gives us? Or the last time you invited your children to show appreciation as well? If the answer is no,…

By: Lee Volpe— Like clockwork, people are composing their lists of New Year’s resolutions, and at the same time they’re ending this year with some of the same problems, frustrations or worries of past years.  They want to take a brighter outlook and ride those resolutions to a higher quality of life in the New Year – but inevitably, familiar issues get them down year after year. How can this New Year be different? How can you stay more positive…