Bike donation keeps twin's memory alive

Also, Greentown holds Boos & Boobs block party

This article is brought to you by the Committee to Elect Joni Delon.

There are so many people in this community willing to stand up and help each other. It makes me proud to live in Kokomo! Thank you to everyone who gives their time, treasure, and talents! Let’s keep that strong sense of unity going! As a member of the Kokomo Common Council, I have the opportunity to give something back as well. Please, join me in supporting our local nonprofit efforts, and please consider giving me your vote for Kokomo Common Council District 2 on Nov. 7! www.jonidelon.com

There is a particularly strong bond between siblings, even more so with twins. That could explain why Justin Huddleston felt compelled to carry out his late twin brother Jordan's tradition of giving to others in need during the holidays and he acted upon it.

Huddleston, a branch chief with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Indianapolis, decided to keep his brother's philanthropy alive by organizing a charity golf outing to purchase bicycles for area children at Christmas.

"Every Christmas, Jordan would go out and buy some new bicycles for random kids that didn't have any," said Huddleston.

Jordan passed away in December 2022 from cancer, and Huddleston was still trying to process the death of his brother at age 33. Both twins, graduates of Tri-Central High School in Sharpsville, were student athletes and avid golfers. Huddleston decided to put together the event with the sport that he and his brother loved so much.

In August, the first "Bikes 'fore' Kids in Honor of Jordan Huddleston" event brought out 120 golfers to participate at Kokomo's Chippendale golf course.

"It's been my therapy," he said. "He was my brother. He was my best friend. It's been my therapy for sure."

The bikes were purchased with golfer registration fees and donations from others in the community. On Monday, Huddleston pulled up with a U-Haul truck at Kokomo Urban Outreach on Locke Street with 25 new bikes for the non-profit youth organization. Another 15 went to the Kokomo Rescue Mission.

On Wednesday, at Kokomo Urban Outreach's Huddle meeting Huddleston received a round of applause in appreciation from the group as he told the story of losing his brother and his late sibling's spirit of giving to kids in need during the holidays.

"We are going to do it again next year," said Huddleston.

Greentown holds Boos & Boobs block party

Greentown Main Street Association's first ever Boos & Boobs community block party Oct. 28 had a bit of this and a bit of that, from a chili cook-off to a bourbon tasting, with a lot of trick or treating thrown in as well.

More than 500 people came out on a chilly Saturday to try some warm, home-made chili, listen to music, and maybe taste some fine bourbon. Children also came to trick or treat, collecting goodies from various vendors and shops along Greentown's Main Street.

"We are trying to do our part to grow the community," said Rich Lacy of the Greentown Main Street Association as he helped serve folks lined up for samples of the liquor inside Holly's Liquors.

The cook-off event raised $1,000 for breast cancer treatment and research. The chili chefs were set up outside the Greentown Historical Society Museum on Meridian Street, selling their wares by the ladle full. The chef who sold the most was judged the winner.

Greentown native Lindsey Mickler won the cook-off. Mickler is also the executive director for YWCA Greater Lafayette.

The YWCA Greater Lafayette Women's Wellness Program was one of two breast cancer organizations that received the cook-off proceeds. Advanced Medical Imaging of Kokomo's program to give free screenings to women who cannot afford them also received cook-off donations.

Music was provided by Greentown resident and musician Keyton Romero and the Grace Scott Band.