Your participation in our Hometown Happenings events allows us to support many local causes. We also partner with many local businesses in the sale of Hometown Hero products which also support these causes. Below are examples of how your support of Hometown Happenings helps our local community.
Buddy Bags Charity Team – Buddy Bags is in 22 schools and feeds over 800 local food insecure students. Through Hometown Happenings, you have helped provide 4,750 meals! How can you help?
- Receive the Buddy Bags Medal when you donate & participate in 3 Hometown Happenings events. Medal Recipients
- Create a fundraising page when you sign up for one of our events.
Calumet Region Junior Striders: Youth running program for the Calumet Region Striders. a USATF and AAU affiliated club
Emberly’s Smiles: supports children with special needs within their communities to help ALL kids feel included!
Girls on the Run of NW Indiana: provides fun, evidence-based programs that inspire all girls to build their confidence, kindness and decision making skills.
Humane Society of Hobart: Our vision is to end animal suffering and ensure that pets live in a safe, caring environment
Mommy’s Haven: Located in Lowell, IN, Mommy’s Haven offers housing and programs to moms in need in Northwest Indiana.
St. Jude House – Barbara Welcome Baskets: Survivors often come to the shelter with only the clothes on their backs or a few personal belongings. These welcome baskets will provide basic as well as a few luxury items (towels, journals, tea, etc.) to make the shelter feel like home.
Youth for Christ NWI: sponsors Campus Life , a program that meets kids where they are. We strive to build relationships through a weekly meeting in the schools, through one-on-one mentoring, trips, and service projects. Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM) is a program that mentors incarcerated youth. We strive to respond with centered programs that encourage conversation and build capacity for success in kids.
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Hometown Hero Products are available at the following businesses and donate a portion of their sales to our Hometown Happenings charities. Currently, Hometown Hero products are supporting Buddy Bags. Thank you to the following businesses:
Geeky Goodies Bakery & Confections: is owned by a neurodivergent daughter & nerd Mmm. They started their own business making Geeky Marshmallows & Goodies including the Hometown Hero Cookie Monster Marshmallow.
Green is Good by Kate: Provides delicious and tempting chef prepared food items using local and organic food items including the Hometown Hero Wrap.
Truly Teas: provides customers with the best tasting, all natural, USDA Organic teas for their everyday lives. At Truly Teas stays true to their word by always providing the best quality experience, customer service, and tea, including the Hometown Hero Mango Peach Tea.
Steamwhistle Coffee Roasters: is a locally owned and operated coffee shop and roastery in Crown Point, Indiana. They specialize in Fair Trade, Organic Coffee. They also offer excellent bakery items, breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Their coffees include the Hometown Hero Blend.
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Charity Runner Profiles:
Thomas’ OAR Page 
Thomas Nedza: Thomas has raised roughly $30,000 over the past 10 years for Organization for Autism Research (OAR). 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. By contributing to Thomas’ page, you are supporting OAR’s mission to fund research and resources that help people with autism and their families today.