DEFENDER gave the top 5 organizations money prizes. These top projects each fell in line with DEFENDER's corporate giving strategy by helping underserved individuals improve their quality of life. Learn more about these compelling stories below.
School on Wheels 5 DEFENDER employees
School on Wheels provides one-on-one tutoring and educational advocacy for school-aged children impacted by homelessness.
In many cases, children are sent home from school for not having a valid uniform, so through collective brainstorming and collaboration with School on Wheels, the group decided to engage in a school uniform drive to equip the more than 3,000 homeless children in Indianapolis with uniforms. The team was able to raise more than $7,300 in uniforms, cash and gift cards.
Helpers Helping Others Outreach Team 10 DEFENDER employees
Helpers Helping Others Outreach Team (HHOOT) brings volunteers, street outreach, street ministries and service providers together to better serve our homeless, our seniors, our veterans, and prior criminal offenders both in and out of jail.
The team spent a day at HHOOT sorting and organizing incoming clothing donations in the clothing ministry store, helping with the construction of the new facility, and stocking the diner for dinner. That evening the team spent time with the homeless serving dinner, participating in book club discussions, talking, praying and fellowshipping during dinner, and helping them pick out clothes from the clothing ministry store.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana 5 DEFENDER employees
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) develops mentors committed to helping boys and girls grow into the next generation of caring, confident and competent adults.
This team took ten “unmatched” littles from BBBSCI to lunch and then to Wal-Mart to purchase school and winter necessities. Each child was given the opportunity to shop for an assortment of underwear, socks, boots, hats, gloves, winter coats and other school items. Most of the children came from families of extreme poverty and didn't have the basic necessities that most people take for granted.
Children's Bureau, Inc. 6 DEFENDER employees
Children's Bureau, Inc. is a social service agency working on behalf of abused and neglected children and families in Indiana.
At the Children's Bureau the team spent the day with a group of children who had seen more in their young lives than anyone should have to see. Many of these children were homeless, abused and neglected. The team made friendship bracelets and played games. Very few men volunteer at the Children's Bureau, so this was a real treat for the boys. They were overjoyed to just play basketball and catch. The team also made gift bags for each of the children that included essential items like tooth brushes, soap and socks.
Henry Hosea House 6 DEFENDER employees
Henry Hosea House serves the poor and homeless of Northern Kentucky offering meals, personal care items, clinic services and agency referrals.
The team served at the Henry Hosea House and took over the soup kitchen operations for the day: Purchasing food, cooking, prepping, cleaning and serving the meal. The team felt very humbled and blessed and left that day knowing they would be back. Because of this service project, the team now has a standing monthly commitment to serve at the Henry Hosea House.