AVON — Mental Health America of Hendricks County (MHAHC) is gearing up for its annual gift lift program and also adding a pantry this year.
The organization is not a therapy center, but helps the community in several ways such as keeping an extensive referral list available, offering several education programs, support groups and overall focus on decreasing the stigma that is often associated with mental illness.
With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, the organization is looking to the community to help with its gift lift program. The program is designed for two groups- those living in Cypress Manor, using Cummins Behavioral Health Systems and Hendricks County residents living in state psychiatric hospitals. The second group is for people living in nursing homes in the county.
“We are talking hundreds of people,” Tammi Jessup, executive director of MHAHC, said.
The program gives two small need-based gifts (i.e. deodorant, shampoo) and an ornament to each person, but this year, the organization is also trying to get a blanket to every person in the nursing homes that are participating in the program.
“Most of the older people are cold,” she said. “The blankets are the things they value the most.”
Jessup said she is encouraging the community to donate blankets whether it’s store bought or hand-made. A few community groups have already begun making them such as groups at the Avon United Methodist Church, Plainfield Library and the Cascade High School volleyball coach also took some material to help make the blankets.
“If there are groups or individuals that would like to do blankets for us, we are happy to have more people doing that,” she said.
In addition to the goal to give every person at a participating nursing home a blanket, the organization is also launching a choice pantry that will run year round.
“Choice pantry meaning the people can come in and pick what they want to eat and not something they may be allergic to or can’t eat because they are on a restricted diet,” Jessup said. “It’s not just food though.”
Jessup said MHAHC is also needing donations of items such as shampoo, soap, toilet paper and more for the pantry.
The food pantry won’t be available during a certain day/time, but will be open during business hours.
For both the gift lift program and the choice pantry, businesses and places of worship throughout the county will have locations for people to drop off their items. More locations are encouraged and for those interested in being a location for the organization, contact Jessup.
Collections will be taken until Dec. 13.
Mental Health America of Hendricks County is also putting on a wreath fundraiser. There are three sizes and five different bow color choices.
Overall, Jessup hopes through these programs more people learn about the organization by helping others in need in the community.
“We are all about promoting mental wellness for everyone,” she said. “We just want to increase mental wellness and trying to be there for people and provide for them.”
For more information on gift lift, choice pantry, the wreath fundraiser, MHAHC or to donate items to any of these programs, visit mhahc.com or call 317-272-0027.
Sara Nahrwold writes for The Hendricks County Flyer and can be reached at sara.nahrwold@flyergroup.com. Follow Sara on Twitter @saranahrwold.
Current drop off locations for gift lift, choice pantry
- Alibi Pub, Danville
- Avon United Methodist church
- Brownsburg Library
- Clayton Library
- Citizens Bank, Avon
- Cummins Mental Health
- Danville Library
- EcoWater of Avon
- Hendricks County Bank, Plainfield
- Hendricks Therapy, Plainfield and Danville
- Hendricks County Winter Farmers Market, select Sundays (4-H Fairgrounds)
- Holiday Inn Express, Whitestown
- Lockerroom, Danville
- Pittsboro Christian Church
- Plainfield Public Library
- Professionals on the Square, Danville
- MHAHC office
- Vita’s Box Boutique, Brownsburg
- Wyndam Hotel, Indianapolis
