By Molly Flodder—
MUNCIE, IN—When Hillcroft Services, Inc. and the Ross Community Center discovered they will be hosting similar events on Saturday, October 14, they decided to join forces and encourage their own shoppers to visit each other’s venue.
Both events, set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Muncie will highlight the work of local artists and merchandise of area vendors. Hillcroft’s Shop & Share will be at their facility at 501 W. Airpark Drive. The Ross Community Center’s Art and Gift Fair will take place at the center at 1110 W. 10th Street
For Hillcroft, the event will mark the fourth bi-annual Shop & Share event. It is an opportunity to showcase their clients’ many talents. The vendors represent a variety of local businesses, food vendors, and artisans.
“During the year our clients have many opportunities to create art and to make things, so this becomes an important occasion for them to get paid for their work,” said Tricia Linton, CU Artist Instructor. “We provide innovated services and supports for people with disabilities and their families, resulting in extraordinary differences in people’s lives. Hillcroft was founded in 1953 and continues to be a vital part of our community. We are thankful for this collaboration and are looking forward to building relationships and networking within our community,” she said.
The Ross Community Center is located at 1110 W 10th St, Muncie, IN 47302. File photo
The Ross Community Center, a multi-generational community location, has changed from what was mostly a recreational site. There is still a focus on recreation as evidenced by baseball and soccer fields, but today it is a comprehensive center engaging in education, lifelong learning, health and wellness. Their work ranges from teaching English as a Second Language to supporting new mothers in their care of and advocacy for their children. Since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Center has also provided a weekly market, having given away 820,000 pounds of food. This market, hosted on Friday afternoons, is the only weekly food distribution site in Delaware County.
“Our event will feature the work of local artists, the merchandise of area boutiques and businesses, as well as food from local food vendors,” said Jacqueline Hanoman, the Ross Community Center’s executive director. “While the center has been around for nearly five decades, there are thousands of people who do not know where we are or what we do.” The Art and Gift Fair is an opportunity to bring people to the site adjacent to the former New Venture Gear/Chevrolet manufacturing location and to get a sense of what the center offers.
The Ross Community Center is gearing up for the celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2024. Hillcroft Services is currently celebrating its 70th year of providing services. To learn more about their services and support, visit websites at www.rosscentermuncie.org and www.hillcroft.org
As people leave each venue, they will be asked whether they have been to the other sale opportunity and be given a flier encouraging their participation at the similar event. Visiting both will help shoppers get an early start on their Christmas shopping.
