Giving Thanks To Indiana Senator Evan Bayh

Senator Evan Bayh has dedicated his life to improving the standard of living for us Hoosiers. He did it as Indiana's Governor. He's doing it now as one of our State's two Senators. And, today, he did it again. And, I got to experience it in person!

Earlier this morning, I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with and present With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana to David Rozmanich, Senator Bayh's State Director. The meeting took place in the Federal Plaza Building in Hammond, Indiana, just 15 miles east of Chicago. Road trip! After my presentation, Mr. Rozmanich informed me that he was confident Senator Bayh would be pleased to endorse R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana.

Please show your appreciation and contact Senator Bayh, thanking him not only for helping us to help Indiana's first-responders to put a smile on the face of a Hoosier child in a time of need, but also for all that the Senator's done on behalf of the State of Indiana.

UPDATE: I just received Senator Evan Bayh's letter of support. Again, I'd like to thank him for both his time and his support. And, once again, I urge you to thank him for not only endorsing With Wings & a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana, but also for all that he's doing in Washington to help Hoosiers.

Save the Dates (And, Thank You Mishawaka and Elkhart!)

Although I've already thanked them both, when you have a moment, please be sure to thank Mishawaka Mayor Rea and Elkhart Mayor Moore for their proclamations. You see, Mayor Rea recently proclaimed October 2009 "R.E.A.C.H. a Child Month" in the City of Mishawaka. For his part, Mayor Rea named June 14, 2009 "With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child Awareness Day."

Besides thanking Mayors Rea and Moore for their proclamations, what can Hoosiers do to participate in R.E.A.C.H. a Child Awareness Day and R.E.A.C.H. a Child Month? Lots of things!

* Make a tax-deductible financial contribution (if you have a PayPal account, you can do so in just seconds by using the "Donate" button below)
* Arrange a corporate sponsorship gift
* Join the With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana facebook cause
* Add a link on your website to With Wings and a Halo – R.E.A.C.H. a Child!
* If you work at a bookstore, consider following Olivia's lead at the Waldenbooks in Elkhart and host a month-long bookdrive on our behalf
* If you attend one of Indiana's colleges or universities and are a member of a student organization, please consider holding a campus-wide bookdrive

As I'm asking for your help in helping Indiana children, as well as the State's first-responders, if I can be of assistance with any of the above, please do not hesitate to email me at either michael@reachachild.org or reachachildindiana@gmail.com.

Take Them Out To the Ball Game... While Helping Raise Money for R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana

The first day of Summer isn't until June 21, 2009, but that doesn't mean you have to wait that long to catch the boys of summer up-close and in-person.

That's because, thanks to the generosity of the South Bend Silver Hawks and their Director of Sales and Marketing, Amy Hill, R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana is currently auctioning 10 Reserved Seat Ticket Vouchers for the South Bend Silver Hawks Good Neighbor Night baseball game to be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 6:30 PM. The opposing team will be the Fort Wayne TinCaps.

UPDATE: Bidding has ended. R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana would like to both congratulate and thank John Magee. Enjoy the game! Of course, our thanks also to Amy at the South Bend Silver Hawks.

There's More Than One Way to Get Children's Books Into Police Cars (This Might Be the Worst)

So, I had just left the Mayor of Mishawaka's office; Mayor Rea had graciously proclaimed October 2009 as "R.E.A.C.H. a Child Month In the City of Mishawaka." Anyway, I'm driving down Grape Road, when I realized that I was traveling a little too fast. Unfortunately, I came to that realization just seconds after a Mishawaka Police Officer had come to the same conclusion. My first thought, of course, was "Should I tell the Officer that I had just left the Mayor's office, and show him the proclamation?" I decided, no.

The Officer informed me that he had clocked me going 42 in a 30. Following standard procedure, he asked to see my driver's license, as well as proof of insurance. I complied. We then talked a bit about my car - 1979 MGB - as well as, its top speed (120). He was very professional and, ultimately, kind, as I was let off with just a warning.

Now, I've spent the last week or so trying to present With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana to the Mishawaka Police Department. So...

"Mind if I step out of the car to talk to you about something, Officer?"

He didn't. So, I did it. I presented R.E.A.C.H. a Child! to him right there on the shoulder of the busy road. Of course, he loved it! We traded business cards, and he requested that I email him, so he can get me in touch with the right people in the department.

Is it better to be good or lucky? Best to be both. Today, though, I'm just thankful for the chance encounter... and for not being issued a ticket.

ICC Seeks O/WS. Indiana Children's Charity Seeks Office/Warehouse Space (South Bend/Mishawaka/Elkhart)

With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana - a 501(c)(3) charitable organization - is looking for an generous individual or organization to donate a small office and/or warehouse space (of course, we can provide you with the necessary paperwork to document your donation).

Although I travel all around our state, I live in Northern Indiana, so my preference would be that the small office and/or warehouse space be located in either LaPorte, St. Joseph or Elkhart counties. The warehouse space is needed to store the new books that are donated to our non-profit.

Although With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! is the fastest growing crime prevention program in the Midwest, we depend on the generosity of book sellers, as well as foundations/grants and private donations to accomplish our mission to put a smile on the face of a child in a time of need.

If you can help, please do not hesitate to contact me at either michael@reachachild.org or reachachildindiana@gmail.com.

R.E.A.C.H. a Child! on Club TNT (Today, Not Tomorrow)

With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! is making a difference in Wisconsin. If they can do it there, we can certainly do it here in Indiana!

At With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! (Reading Enjoyment Affects Childhood Happiness), our mission is to put a smile on the face of a child in a time of need. Additionally, our goals are to: (1) provide an escape to children in a traumatic situation (2) promote literacy, while instilling a love of reading in children (3) prevent crime by improving relationships between police and the public, and (4) keep perfectly good – and new – books out of landfills.

Named the largest and fastest growing crime prevention program in the Midwest, With Wings and a Halo – R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana provides law enforcement and other first responders, as well as social workers, with a backpack containing 10-12 new children’s books they can then distribute to children at the scene of a crisis or emergency such as an auto accident, house fire, domestic dispute or natural disaster.

Thanks to donations from people just like you, today, With Wings and a Halo – R.E.A.C.H. a Child! has expanded across the country, and is helping children in California, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio, New York and, of course, right here in Indiana.

Learn how you can help put a smile on the face of a Hoosier child in a time of need by contacting me now at either michael@reachachild.org or reachachildindiana@gmail.com.

The Story of With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana

At With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child! (Reading Enjoyment Affects Childhood Happiness), our mission is to put a smile on the face of a child in a time of need. Additionally, our goals are to: (1) provide an escape to children in a traumatic situation (2) promote literacy, while instilling a love of reading in children (3) prevent crime by improving relationships between police and the public, and (4) keep perfectly good – and new – books out of landfills.

Named the largest and fastest growing crime prevention program in the Midwest, With Wings and a Halo – R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana provides law enforcement and other first responders, as well as social workers, with a backpack containing 10-12 new children’s books they can then distribute to children at the scene of a crisis or emergency such as an auto accident, house fire, domestic dispute or natural disaster.

Founded in Waunakee, WI in late 2007 by Paul and Chris Gilbertson, With Wings and a Halo – R.E.A.C.H a Child! was almost immediately adopted by various Wisconsin state, county and city services. In fact, for many police units in Wisconsin, when an officer graduates from the police academy, he or she is issued four items – a badge, handcuffs, a gun and one of our backpacks containing the new books.

Thanks to generous donations from people just like you, With Wings and a Halo – R.E.A.C.H. a Child! has expanded across the country, and is helping children in California, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio, New York and, of course, right here in Indiana.

Thanks so much for considering lending your support to With Wings and a Halo – R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana.