There are numerous ways to support The Villages' children.

• Adopt a family and shop for items on their wish list.
• Shop for items on one child's wish list.
• Make a charitable gift to The Villages Foundation.
• Conduct a toy or book drive for The Villages' children.
• Collect infant clothing and supplies for families with newborns.
• Provide non-perishable food and household goods for children aging out of foster care and living independently.
• Facilitate pick up and delivery of toys and gifts to The Villages' office.
• Wrap gifts at The Villages' office, the first two weeks in December.
• Transport gifts from The Villages to special holiday parties in mid December.
• Volunteer to distribute gifts and provide help with the holiday parties in mid December.
• Volunteer to distribute gifts and provide general help with the Kinship Care Holiday Celebration.

The Villages Dances with Bloomington Celebrities

This spring, Bloomington ’s Arthur Murray Dance Studio will host its third annual Dancing with the Celebrities competition. Similar to the popular TV show, local celebrities will be paired with dance professionals to entertain and raise money for local charities. The Villages’ Bloomington office is proud to partner with Jim Inman, Dancing with the Celebrities contestant, as he puts his dancing shoes on and raises money for local abused and neglected children.

Jim Inman was born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University School of Journalism. Since April 2001, Jim has been the Director of Marketing and Client Relations for Comprehensive Financial Consultants. Jim’s community activities include Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Committee, Young Professionals of Bloomington, president of the Edgewood High School Choral Foundation, coach and mentor with the Shape Up Monroe County fitness program, co-host of “Your Money with David Hays” on Saturday mornings on AM1370 WGCL, and host of the “Jim Inman Experience” on Monday mornings on AM1370 WGCL.

The Villages’ partnership with Jim Inman began long before Dancing with the Celebrities. Comprehensive Financial Consultants has generously sponsored The Villages of Bloomington’s Christmas Party since 2006. This annual event is a time were foster families can gather together to celebrate the holidays. For the past three years, Jim has arranged with Santa Claus for surprise visits to the holiday party too!

Jim’s dancing partner for the competition is Elizabeth “Liz” Kellett. Liz has a background in ballet, modern dance and hip-hop, and this is her first year of competing in Dancing with the Celebrities. For the competition, Jim and Liz will have the chance to win two contests within the event. Best dancer will be awarded, by the judges, to the couple who best performs three dances – a swing, a foxtrot, and a personal choice routine. The second contest is for the best fundraiser, and will be awarded to the celebrity dancer who can raise the most money for their charity.

The fundraising contest of Dancing with the Celebrities will begin with a kick-off event and will run through intermission the night of the show. Several events will be planned to help Jim raise money for The Villages of Bloomington. For more information about these events or how you can get involved please contact Deb Brewer at 800-822-4888. Donations collected through this event will be used to enrich the lives of the children and families The Villages’ Bloomington office is privileged to serve. Donations can be made by mail, online or by phone.

Donate by Mail

The Villages of Indiana, Inc.
ATTN: Development
652 N. Girls School Road
Indianapolis, IN 46214

Donate Online

Donate by Phone(Visa and Mastercard)

Please contact our development department at 800-874-6880.

Dancing with the Celebrities will be held at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on May 23, 2009. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Last year’s event sold out so get your tickets early! For more ticket information call Jim at 800-893-3958 or Deb at 800-822-4888.

 

Fulton Scholarships

The Fulton Scholarships benefits youth and young adults who have grown up in The Villages and who desire to achieve further life goals, whether those goals are college, technology training or vocational school.

This scholarship honors the memory and ideals of a friend and founding father of The Villages of Indiana—"Danny" Fulton. Fulton spent his career in child care organizations and working for the welfare of children. Before coming to The Villages, Fulton worked with the Boy's Clubs of America, an organization providing boys a needed place to go after school and in the summer. He then spent sixteen years working with The Villages to provide families and care for abused and neglected children throughout the state.

Fulton never forgot the words of Dr. Karl Menninger of Kansas who began The Villages' vision saying, "Children with a family and parents can heal each other by helping each other." Fulton believed those words. They became the goal of a lifetime—and they worked! Fulton's wife, Harriet, remembers his deep respect for those who worked with children in group homes saying, "he thought the most important people in the organization were the ones who were home or foster parents, the ones who did the real work."

Although Fulton saw great growth in The Villages' programs in his lifetime, he had continued concern over the children's next step in life after leaving The Villages. He wanted to ensure their success with opportunities for further training and growth.

Fulton's tireless efforts are carried on with the help of family, friends and Villages' employees. Many continue to give to his scholarship fund so that it can grow and meet the needs of more youth. As Fulton loved to see people grow and develop, The Villages hopes his vision through this scholarship will grow to meet the need.

Kids First License Plate

Invest in the future of children by purchasing a "Kids First" license plate for your vehicle. Proceeds go toward championing families for all children and preventing child abuse and neglect in Indiana!

The Villages' Family Connection Network receives support from the Kids First Trust Fund. This program serves kinship families in Marion and surrounding counties by introducing them to essential resources they need to sustain healthy, nurturing homes.

"Kids First" special recognition license plates are available at all license branches. For more information visit the BMV Web site at http://www.in.gov/bmv/platesandtitles/plates/.

You can also add $40 to your renewal form and indicate in writing that you would like a "Kids First" license plate.