Hoosiers In Elkhart Helping Hoosiers Across the State

We’ve all heard the news about how bad Elkhart’s economy is. Well, here’s some good news. When it comes to lending a helping hand, Hoosier’s there are still willing to lend a helping hand, in the form of donating a book, to help a child in a time of need.

It started when Oliva Jobe, the Store Manager of Elkhart’s Waldenbooks, agreed to hold a book drive during the month of April for R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana. During that time, she and her team collected over 140 books, including:

* Scholastic’s “I Spy Letters & Numbers”
* LIFE’s “Can You Spot the Differences? Original Picture Puzzle”
* “Believe. The Words and Inspiration of Desmond Tutu”
* “Ptolemy’s Gate,” Book Three of Jonathan Stroud’s "Bartimaeus Trilogy"
* Baby Einstein’s “Animal Homes”
* Cranium’s “Data Head Book of Outrageous Fun!” (Illustrations by Baseman)
* Sesame Street’s “Follow Elmo”
* “Incredible 3D Stereograms - Eye Tricks”
* Eric Carle’s “10 Little Rubber Ducks” (Winner of 2003’s Laura Ingall Wilder Award)
* Disney’s “5-Minute Stories of Friendship”
* Ed Emberley’s “Big Purple Drawing Book”
* “The Icky, Sticky and GROSS Fascinating Fact Book”

That’s how it started–Olivia saying “yes." Then, hundreds of other Hoosiers said the same thing. And, that’s truly great. But, it gets even better, because it’s not over. Oliva extended the book drive through the first week of May! So, if you’re looking for a good book to read and you happen to live in or around the area, please visit the Waldenbooks in Elkhart. When you do, be sure to thank Olivia and her team. And, of course, please consider donating a book to R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Indiana.

Thank you, Olivia, and thank you to all of the Elkhart men, women and children who, in donating a new book, helped to make a difference in the lives of over 140 Hoosier children.

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.

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.