A version of this story appeared in the Ink Free News. Read the original story here and see photos from the event here.
The annual “WE CARE WARSAW,” featuring more than $32,000 worth of goods and services, was held Saturday, November 13, at the Gordon Health and Wellness Center, in Winona Lake, Ind.
The event is provided to help those in the community who have needs. In the past, over 1,000 visitors have attended and more than 350 volunteers from the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church supported the event.
“Winona Lake Grace values loving their neighbors, and this is just one way they demonstrate that to the community,” the church said in a news release.
Over $32,000 worth of complementary services and items were available at the event – such as haircuts, family photos, make-up and manicure stations. In addition, families received a bag of groceries provided by World Compassion Network, a dozen eggs provided by Egg Innovations, and one bottle of laundry detergent provided by the church.
Each guest received a door prize ticket as they entered the event. Throughout the day, ticket numbers were drawn to award gift cards to community grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, and more. Several Grand Prizes of $100 gift cards were awarded at the end of the day. More than $3,000 in gift cards and other door prizes were distributed in total.
A full-course turkey meal was provided. The meal includes roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, apple and pumpkin pie, coffee, milk, and water.
A Health Clinic, operated by Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition, provided free health screenings.
A Kid-Zone offered inflatable bounce houses, pedal cars races, craft tables, cookie decorating, face painting, and balloon art.
A Christmas Store provided parents the opportunity to purchase toys, educational materials, and winter garments for children at a discounted price. All proceeds benefit the monthly Gas Card Day that the church provides for the community. Free Christmas gift wrapping is made available.
Community groups represented with resource tables include Beaman Home, Cardinal Services/Kosciusko Head Start, Combined Community Services, English as a New Language, Heartline, Ivy Tech Community College/Warsaw, Lutheran Services, Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition, Real Services, and World Compassion Network.
Other donations were provided by Grace College, Terry Ellis Photography, numerous hair salon stylists, World Compassion Network, Egg Innovations, and Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.