Tremendous support
Those who attended, supported and organized Our Hospice of South Central Indiana’s annual fundraiser concert should take a bow.
Their combined contributions helped the free Sept. 3 concert in Mill Race Park in Columbus raise a record $120,000 — which exceeded the nonprofit agency’s goal by $20,000. With former Chicago frontman Peter Cetera headlining and perfect weather, the concert drew an estimated 8,000 people.
The support they showed through raffle sales, food and souvenir purchases, and the auction of local artist Donna Rosenberg’s painting is important for an organization whose mission as a not-for-profit agency is providing end-of-life care to patients and their families.
Good to see
The fourth annual Kids Fun Run during the Mill Race Marathon weekend had about 1,000 children participate, which included schools competing in four divisions — large, medium, small and preschool for the highest percentage levels of participation. The winning schools — Parkside Elementary, CSA-Fodrea, ABC Stewart and First Presbyterian Preschool — each received $500 toward their fitness programs, with runner-up schools receiving $250 through gift certificates from Hoosier Sporting Goods gift.
That level of participation by children and the encouragement of schools to promote healthy lifestyles among its students is to be commended.
Neat way to learn
Cummins Child Development Center has created the Nature Explorer Outdoor Classroom to help its preschool students learn about nature in an educational way that incorporates skills they’ll need for higher grades.
The outdoor classroom, which encourages outdoor learning and exploration to foster both respect for and knowledge of nature, has received certification through the Nature Explore program, a collaboration of the Dimensions Educational Research and Arbor Day foundations. It also has caught the attention of Indiana, Purdue and Ball State universities.
Kudos to the educators for approaching education in a unique way that also will provide children with positive interactions with nature.
