Non-Profit

By Molly Flodder— MUNCIE, IN—The 50th anniversary year of the Ross Community Center is underway and events are rolling out for neighborhood and widespread celebration. The center, located at 1110 W. 10th Street in the Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood, is focused on advancing education and lifelong learning, health, and wellness. The kick off event of the anniversary year will be “Collecting Memories/Community Call Out,” on Saturday, April 20 at 3:00 p.m. at the center. This community curating event will be a time for anyone in the area to share historical information, photographs, and testimonials about the Ross Community Center.  “We wanted…

By Kelsey Harrington— MUNCIE—In the first quarter, George and Frances Ball Foundation awarded nearly $550,000 to support a variety of community organizations and initiatives across Muncie and Delaware County. The Foundation’s board, which meets four times per year, reviewed eleven grant applications for consideration of funding. In addition to serving as a grantmaker in the greater Muncie-Delaware County area, George and Frances Ball Foundation also serves in a convening role as the backbone organization for the collective impact initiative Cradle to Career Muncie. Through this focused effort, the Foundation brings together more than 70 community partners to collaboratively work on…

By Ro Selvey— MUNCIE, IN—As we gear up for another summer season, it’s time to rally behind a cause that’s close to the heart of our community: Motivate Our Minds (MOM). For years, MOM has been a beacon of hope for children in Muncie, Indiana, offering educational enrichment programs that empower our youth to reach their full potential. Now, as we approach the second annual Motivate Our Minds golf outing, it’s more important than ever to show our support and invest in the future of our children. Summer break is a time for fun and relaxation, but for many children,…

By Susan Fisher, MPL— MUNCIE, IN—April 7-13, 2024, is National Library Week, and Muncie Public Library (MPL) will celebrate in a big way by offering Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties on Monday, April 8 at three library branches. The parties will include free refreshments and free solar-viewing glasses while supplies last. “We are really having fun with this event and will serve Sun Chips and Moon Pies,” said Donna Catron, Library Manager at the Kennedy Library. Solar activities and information will also be available at all parties, as well as coloring sheets designed by Moth Danner, founder of the Muncie Makers…

By Kelley Phillips, Red-tail Land Conservancy— MUNCIE, IN– In a bizarre twist of nature, a carnivorous plant has astounded botanists by declaring its newfound commitment to veganism. The Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), known for its carnivorous appetite, has had a change of heart and started refusing its usual diet of insects. The Round-leaved Sundews of Indiana released a statement early this morning that they wish to be emancipated from the Sundew genus Drosera and live a more herbaceous lifestyle. Sundews make up one of the largest groups of carnivorous plants, with more than 150 species. It is unclear if the…

By Ashlee Anderson— MUNCIE, IN—Altrusa Club of Muncie and the Muncie Altrusa Foundation are hosting a Tea and Auction to support Club projects and Foundation grants. Club projects focus on literacy, food insecurity, and meeting various needs in the local community, while the Foundation grants fund local non-profits through an application process. All are invited to purchase tickets to Tea in Wonderland presented by Old National Bank. Lunch and tea will beserved and the main focus will be participating in the lively auction featuring curated items supplied by members of Altrusa as well as the community. A sneak peak of…

By Sue Whitaker, Muncie Altrusa— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Altrusa Club hosted the winners of the Annual 4th Grade Essay Contest on March 21st during a luncheon at the Minnetrista Museum and Gardens.  The winners of the essay contest were Baxter Wilson, Burris; Kali Minnick, East Washington Academy; Mylah Wehlage, Royerton; Gabriel Crouch, Selma; A’Mirah Ruffin, West View; and Eli Burke, Yorktown. Each student read their essay titled: “How Books Build a Better World” to the assembled group. Following the reading each student was presented with a certificate, a backpack filled with books and school supplies, and a Books-a Million gift card….

By Jena Ashby— MUNCIE, IN—There is an energy building in South Muncie that, if you haven’t visited us in a while, I want you to know about. Come on over. When I was growing up my great grandma lived just a few blocks from Ross Corner. She walked to the store every day; she never had a car. Grandma Martha’s is where you went if you needed to stay home from school because you were sick, which meant you had to walk to Ross’s for sherbert and Sprite. My maternal grandparents owned a home on South Mulberry where my mom…