HVAF of Indiana, Inc. winterization project

On November 11, 2012 (Veteran’s Day) from 9:00 to 1:00 p.m., more than 50 volunteers will roll up their sleeves to help winterize one of HVAF's housing properties. The Warman Woods property is home to 47 previously homeless veterans, and work will include calking windows both interior and exterior as well as cleaning the windows. We need your help in collecting items to complete the winterization project. Estimated items needed include for the 6 individual properties:

•    Monetary donations
•    25 mini blinds per property
•    25 window coverings per property of various dimensions
•    A case of calking per property
•    25 plastic weather window kits per property
•    16 door weather stripping kits per property
•    (96) 9-volt batteries for smoke alarms

For more information, please contact HVAF volunteer Heather Meiser at designteam234@yahoo.com or 317-402-5129.

Upcoming Events

Whether you enjoy running or watching a good film, there are several ways to support HVAF. The Heartland films will benefit HVAF. Tickets are available for online purchase now through October 27th. $10 per person, $2 goes to HVAF if you use on-line promo code "HVAF". Heartland has chosen to support HVAF by giving back $2 from every online ticket sale. Remember, $2 of each $8 online ticket will come back to HVAF when using the promo code “HVAF” for each ticket purchased.

Register here: www.HeartlandFilmFestival.org

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5K run in Brownsburg to benefit HVAF

On Saturday, November 10, members of DECA at Brownsburg High School in conjunction with Hike for Hoosier Vets will host a 5k run/walk to benefit HVAF. The run/walk begins at 9 a.m. at Williams Park in Brownsburg.

Cost: Online Pre-Registration: $20 per person. Closes on November 1.
Day-of Registration: $25 or $20 plus one canned food item. Day-of registration ends at 8:30 am and does not guarantee a t-shirt.

Time: 9 a.m.
Address: 940 S. Locust Lane, Brownsburg, IN 46112

Register here: hoofinitforhoosierve.wix.com/hoofinit

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A canned good for a free yoga class

Crossfit Naptown in downtown Indianapolis will hold a 21 Day Yoga Challenge to help stock HVAF’s food pantry. The challenge will run from Nov. 1-21, and is open to the public. The only payment required is a canned good (specifically canned meat or pasta) or gently used blankets, coats or toiletries.

Here is a list of classes during the Crossfit Naptown 21 Day Yoga Challenge.

Monday- 8 a.m.
Tuesday- noon
Wednesday- 7 p.m.
Thursday- 7 p.m.
Friday- noon
Saturday- 11:30 a.m.
Sunday- 10 a.m.

Calling all lawyers

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. is issuing a "Request For Good Ideas" (RFGI) in an effort to provide effective legal assistance to the homeless veterans we serve: literally every homeless veteran who has ever walked through our doors has had at least one legal issue that is an impediment to his success. HVAF’s initial goal is to engage the entire Indianapolis legal community in a structured discussion on the topic of legal services for homeless veterans. Ultimately, it is HVAF’s goal to create a model of legal services based upon two ideas: (1) that success is defined as ending the client’s homelessness and (2) that our efforts may create a model for the provision of legal services to our homeless neighbors who are not veterans.

So, how can you help? HVAF is now taking proposals for how to provide legal services to veterans. Written responses should be sent electronically to Dr. Charles Haenlein, HVAF president and CEO, at CHaenlein@hvaf.org no later than Oct. 19, 2012. Questions can be directed to Dr. Haenlein.
A copy of the “Request for Good Ideas” is available at the link below.

Please open the "Request for Good Ideas" document on our website for more information.

Under HVAF’s vision, attorneys working with veterans would get to see the whole story. Bill Moreau, partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP and tireless advocate for the homeless, noted lawyers celebrate victory when they resolve the legal problem. But that is not the end of the story, and success at HVAF is not declared until the client’s homelessness ends.

View the Indiana Lawyer web story to learn more about how attorneys are helping homeless veterans.

Community members ban together to hold food drive for homeless veterans

On September 30,2012, the Eclipse Band and Pat's Tavern in Mooresville, Ind., will not only collect canned goods for HVAF's food pantry but the group is also holding a motorcycle ride to benefit the organization's veterans.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m. (kickstands up at 12:00 p.m.) riders will get a chance to take a nice long scenic route through Morgan and Brown County, returning back to Pat’s Tavern for entertainment provided by “Big” Mike and The Eclipse Band.  The cost for this ride is $25.00 per bike/$5.00 per rider or the equivalent in canned food for HVAF veterans. Items needed most include: Canned meat (tuna, chicken, ham, etc.), peanut butter, soup, macaroni and cheese, fruit cocktail, crackers, canned chili or beef stew, pork/baked beans, canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta and sauce, and bottled juice.

You can drop off your non-perishable donation at Pat's Tavern. If you have any questions, contact Julie or Sarge at Pat’s Tavern (317) 831-4600.

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. competes for $250,000 in Home Depot Foundation Contest

This month HVAF of Indiana, Inc. is participating in a national competition that could earn us $25-thousand dollars to renovate a Newton House, a facility that is home to four previously homeless veterans. Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action, winning the monthly contest hosted on Facebook would make HVAF eligible to win a one-time grand prize award – an additional $250-thousand dollars to renovate even more of its properties!

The Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action on Facebook spotlights the volunteer efforts of Home Depot employees and the local community organizations they partner with to serve U.S. military veterans and programs that support them. Fans of the work cast their votes for their favorite charity work each month.

“The Newton House is in need of updating and with the winning prize HVAF would be able to renovate the property that serves as many as four veterans, says Ron Shelly, HVAF Chief Operating Officer.  “That’s four people who bravely served our county who would have a new and up-to-date place to call home because of supporters like you.”

HVAF has been fortunate over the past four years to partner with Indianapolis-area Home Depot stores where employees have volunteered their time and talents to renovate several HVAF properties, including the LaFever House. Home Depot also awarded a grant to HVAF last year to install blinds, closet dividers and other fixtures at its newest housing property, the Manchester Apartments, which is home to 51 previously homeless veterans.

The chance to vote for HVAF of Indiana, Inc. begins 9 a.m. EST on Saturday, September 1 and ends at 12 p.m. EST on Sunday, September 30, 2012. You can vote once a day every day on Home Depot Foundation’s Facebook page.

“We are glad that our partner nonprofit organization, HVAF, will be participating in our company’s Aprons in Action program,” says Home Depot District Manager Bob Blake. “Only four organizations across the country have been selected to compete in the September, 2012, Facebook contest, and it gives us an opportunity to continue to showcase the good work that HVAF of Indiana, Inc. does on a daily basis in improving lives of veterans in Central Indiana.”

Here’s how it works:

Voting begins 9:00 a.m. Saturday, September 1 and ends at 12 p.m. Sunday, September 30 EST. Each person can vote once a day every day. You must have a Facebook account to vote. Go to Home Depot Foundation’s Facebook page.

1. “Like” the page facebook.com/homedepotfoundation
2. Click on “Aprons in Action” - top right icon next to the number of likes
3. Place your vote for HVAF of Indiana, Inc.