Non-Profit

YMCA of Muncie Exceeds Annual Campaign Fundraising Goal

By Kristen McConnell— MUNCIE, Ind.—The YMCA of Muncie exceeded their annual campaign fundraising goal providing access to programs and opportunities to all in our community. Campaign Co-Chairs, Mark Foerster and Chris Walker, along with 70 volunteers, implemented a grass roots campaign that began in February with an in-person launch event and cumulatively raised over $173,000. Chris Walker, Campaign Co-Chair and Principal at Muncie Central High School, had this to say about the campaign, “The success of the annual campaign is…

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8twelve Coalition Receives Ball State University’s 2022 Community Partner Award

By Suzie Jones, Project Coordinator, Office of Community Engagement, Ball State University— MUNCIE, Ind.—On May 2, the 8twelve Coalition received the 2022 Ball State University Community Partner of the Year Award at Ball State’s Immersive Learning Showcase.  President Geoffrey S. Mearns presented the award to Jena Ashby, a leader of the coalition. The annual award recognizes an East Central Indiana business, organization, or agency that demonstrated excellence as a co-educator and community partner during the previous year.  Partners are nominated…


Yorktown’s Ginger Thompson Recognized With Ball Brothers Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Ginger Thompson didn’t always teach this way. When the high school Spanish teacher began her career 17 years ago, she said she was “a traditional teacher.” “I had a textbook and that’s what I used to teach my students. I used the methods that my Spanish teachers had used with me in high school and in college because that was the best methodology we had at that time,” she said. But as Thompson began…


Over $17,000 Raised for Local Food Pantries Through United Way’s ‘Feeding our Neighbor’ Campaign 

By Kim Williams— East Central, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way’s first Feeding Our Neighbors fundraising campaign, raised $17,207 to support local food pantries. The campaign, run during the month of April, was designed to address the region’s increased need for healthy food during this challenging financial time for many families. “The reality is that 1 in 8 Hoosiers struggle with food insecurity, and 1 in 7 are children. Pair that with the increasing costs for food and we know our local food pantries are seeing more families…


George and Frances Ball Foundation Earmarks $400K to Muncie Children’s Museum

By Muncie Children’s Museum— MUNCIE, Ind. — The George and Frances Ball Foundation awarded $400,000 to the Muncie Children’s Museum More to Explore Campaign in 2020, designed to re-imagine and re-invigorate one of the community’s greatest treasures. Historically, Education and Youth have been the primary focus for the George and Frances Ball Foundation. In 2020, the Foundation awarded more than $2.9 million across 28 organizations focused on children, young adults, and educational attainment. The Muncie Children’s Museum was one of…


Teens Can Sign Up for Free Summer Film School at Muncie Public Library

By Susan Fisher— MUNCIE, Ind.—Teens in grades 9-12 are invited to learn about videography and editing using state-of-the-art equipment at the 2022 Summer Film School at Muncie Public Library (MPL). This free program provides two weeks of hands-on production experience and classes related to film production and will take place at Connection Corner, MPL’s technology center. Film school instructors are Stuart Cotton, MPL Digital Mentor, and Spenser Querry, MPL Technology and Digital Specialist. According to Cotton, this year’s film school…


Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie: Snack Drive to Support our Summer Camp

By Zack Hansen— MUNCIE, Ind.—Did you know that our Club members can go through over 12,000 snacks over the course of the Summer? Our youth at Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie are continually learning and growing, and a nourishing & consistent diet is a huge part of what allows them to thrive. That’s why we’re running a Snack Drive from May 9th through May 29th: To give them the resources & support they deserve. However, we can’t provide over…


The Community Foundation Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients: Wyatt Bilby, a senior at Delta High School, is the recipient of the Murray’s Jewelers Scholarship. Wyatt plans to study construction management and real estate at Purdue University. He is the son of Seth Bilby. Kaydence Jean Brewer, a senior at Wapahani High School, is the recipient of the Sue Harris Unsung Hero Scholarship. Kaydence plans to study human life sciences at Indiana University East. She is the daughter of…


Open Door Announces Changes for Free COVID-19 Vaccinations at Madison St. Location

By Suzanne Clem— MUNCIE, Ind.—After more than 20,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, Open Door’s no-cost community vaccination clinic at 333 S. Madison St. in Muncie will provide its final vaccines this Friday. As we shared in mid-March, hours at Open Door’s state-contracted vaccine sites were scaled back to one location and one day a week after a decrease in local demand, with April 29 slated as the final day of operation. No-cost vaccination appointments remain available on April 29 between 8…


Very Important Volunteers Recognized at the 2022 VIVA Awards

By Matt Howell— MUNCIE, Ind. – The Muncie Rotary Club, Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club, and First Merchants Bank recognized six individuals at the 28th annual VIVA Awards luncheon, held on April 26th at the Horizon Convention Center. The VIVA Awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of volunteer activity to serve the civic and social needs of our community.  The event rewards, reinforces, and inspires local volunteers to aspire to the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.” Individuals…