Rescue Mission smashing walls
Also, volunteers needed for downtown planting; Solidarity scholarships available; Ree-Ree's Place fundraiser at Chipotle
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The Kokomo Rescue Mission is excited to announce it will demolish its building at 405 W. Mulberry St. to begin construction of a new space for its Red Ribbon Christmas (RRC) ministry.
RRC had been operating out of the old building and the top floor of Kokomo Rescue Mission’s Donation Center. But with the growing need for RRC’s services, the Mission will build a dedicated space just for this powerful ministry.
Red Ribbon Christmas currently includes roughly 30 volunteers, many of whom are eager to see the dilapidated building torn down. In fact, about 20 of those volunteers - mostly retired individuals – will kick off the demolition by smashing holes through the walls as part of the Mission’s wall-smashing ceremony; like a ribbon-cutting, but with more flying plaster.
Those interested in celebrating the wall-smashing ceremony may join the Kokomo Rescue Mission on Mon., March 4, at 9:15 a.m. Only the RRC volunteers will get to wield hammers; everyone else will be encouraged to shout and cheer!
Keep Kokomo Beautiful campaign seeks volunteers
In just a few weeks, volunteers will plant more than 1,000 flower baskets in an assembly-line fashion. Those baskets will adorn streetlights around the Kokomo community this summer. It’s part of a Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance initiative known as Keep Kokomo Beautiful.
This annual campaign invites residents, businesses and community organizations to lend a hand and keep the community looking beautiful through flower baskets and downtown garden planting. The event is in its 10th year and has enjoyed tremendous community support since its beginning, said Susan Alexander, manager of downtown creative placemaking for the Alliance.
“The beauty of the thousands of blossoms gracing Kokomo as a result of this initiative is not only inherent but also magnified by the collective dedication of the volunteers who sow and care for them,” Alexander said.
This year’s Keep Kokomo Beautiful campaign will include one event in April and two in May. Alexander encourages advocacy groups, teams from businesses and organizations, and families and individuals to participate in the events.
“At its core, this initiative isn’t about flowers. These events aim to nurture a sense of pride among residents for their community, empowering them to take ownership,” Alexander said. “As a volunteer, you become a vital part of something greater than individual pursuits.”
The 2024 campaign kicks off Thu., April 4, with flower basket planting at Lybrook Landscaping, 4476 S., CR 00 EW, Kokomo. The plantings will be done in two sessions, from 9-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
The planting resumes in May as volunteers will gather for two workdays. First up will be annual planting at the City Hall Gazebo, 100 S. Union St., from 9-11 a.m. on Sat., May 11. Then, from 1-4 p.m. on Wed., May 15, volunteers will plant the downtown container and alley gardens, meeting on the Courthouse Square at the corner of Main and Sycamore streets.
All three events are free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring along work gloves, knee pads and their favorite gardening tools to each event. To register for Keep Kokomo Beautiful events, visit GreaterKokomo.com/volunteer-downtown.
An initiative of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, this campaign is made possible through partnerships with the City of Kokomo, Lybrook Landscaping, Backyard Gardeners, Howard County, Wildcat Guardians, Howard County Stormwater District, Discover Howard County Trails, and Sunbelt Rentals.
For more information, contact Casie Braden at 765-457-5301 or by email at cbraden@greaterkokomo.com.
Solidarity Community FCU scholarships available
Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union’s scholarship application portal is now open for their Member Scholarship Program. Scholarships are available for 2023-2024 graduates who are members of Solidarity at the time of application and have been accepted into a two- to four-year accredited college, trade school, or skilled trade program for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Other requirements for application include submitting copies of high school transcripts and writing a short essay. Copies of high school/college transcripts will be needed, and GEDs are also applicable.
“Giving back to members is one of the best ways to convey their importance to us,” said Solidarity Director of Marketing Jessica Funk. “By pouring into students, we hopefully offset some of their financial costs associated with continuing education while encouraging them to reach for their dreams.”
For more information regarding the Member Scholarship Program, please email scholarships@solfcu.org.
Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union is a financial cooperative that requires membership. Individuals can join Solidarity if they are a family member of an existing Solidarity member or live, work, worship, or attend school in the following counties, in addition to businesses and other legal entities located in the following counties: Howard, Tipton, Miami, Cass, Carroll, Clinton, and White.
Ree-Ree’s Place holding Chipotle fundraiser
Ree-Ree’s Place, Inc., a nonprofit serving parents and family members who have lost loved ones to violence, will hold a fundraiser in cooperation with Chipotle in Kokomo. On Sat., March 2, from 5-9 p.m., patrons who visit and eat at Chiptole, 1201 S. Reed Road, in the Markland Mall, will have the opportunity to participate.
Those who show the flyer attached to this article will authorize Chipotle to donate one-third of their purchase price to Ree-Ree’s Place. Online orders for pick-up also qualify if placed during the hours of the fundraiser. Use the code NH6VZFN to participate in the fundraiser with an online order. Delivery and gift card orders do not qualify for the fundraiser.
After losing two daughters to homicide within two years, Derico Young decided to establish Ree-Ree’s Place in their memory. The nonprofit is designed to provide support to those walking the same path of trauma caused by violence. Ree-Ree’s Place is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization.