Non-Profit

By Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN—The YMCA of Muncie exceeded their annual campaign fundraising goal providing access to programs and opportunities to all in our community. Campaign Co-Chairs, Delaina Boyd and Marsha McGriff, along with 70 volunteers, implemented a grass roots campaign that began in February with a virtual launch and cumulatively raised over $220,000. Marsha McGriff, Campaign Co-Chair and Associate Vice President of Inclusive Excellence for Ball State University, had this to say about the campaign, “Our success with the annual campaign is a testament to the hard work of the amazing Y family and our incredible community. Our community…

By Christina Ziuchkovski— Muncie, IN—Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the Madjax building in downtown Muncie? Come join us for Maker Mondays to learn from the Makers establishing their businesses locally out of Madjax. Maker Mondays are free, weekly workshops offered by The Future of Work for people of all ages. Participants will learn a creative skill while collaborating and connecting with members of their community. “We are really excited to partner with the makers within the Madjax building to help people build new skills or just be curious and try something new,” shared Kyra Zylstra, director of…

By Janet McKibben and Michael Hicks— Muncie, IN—The 10-K run was crowded and fast. Two brothers, Scott and Danny Taylor, enjoyed the thrill of competition on that brisk spring morning.  Team Taylor differed little from the other racers in enthusiasm and spirit, but only one man could run in this race. Danny Taylor, who suffered cerebral palsy at birth, was pushed by Scott in a specially adapted racing stroller.  Cerebral Palsy limited Danny’s ability to control his movements and posture, but it did nothing to restrain his joy of athletics or competition. Scott, a physician, is an avid runner who…

By Amy Leffingwell— Muncie, IN—The second annual Muncie Pride will kick off on Thursday, June 3rd at Cornerstone Park with a proclamation from Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour. This will be the first Pride event in a series of monthly events starting with the kick off in June (the official Pride month) and continuing all the way to Queer History Month in October. Four scholarships will be awarded to local students whose essays will be read by a panel of judges. This year’s essay topic is the history of the Pride flag and the significant meaning behind each of the stripes.  More…

By Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN,— The YMCA of Muncie Board of Directors voted this morning to pursue a new downtown facility located at Muncie Central High School (MCHS). Board members approved an internal site selection committee’s recommendation for the project between the YMCA and Muncie Community Schools (MCS). The organizations will now collaborate to finalize a letter of intent and formal memorandum of understanding. YMCA President, Chad Zaucha, stated the project deepens the existing partnership with the school and will provide a continuum of education and youth development services on one campus. “This project is an opportunity to impact youth…

By Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN — As technology grows, so too does the threat of cyber attacks on the community. “Cybercrimes are the crime of the future. It’s so rapidly evolving, and we see how it can really have such a detrimental effect on our community,” said Jim Duckham, chief of the Ball State University Police Department. “Someone can be in another part of the world and be committing a crime that impacts our community.” In an effort to proactively address this issue, Ball Brothers Foundation last year began a new funding initiative called Project Sybertooth. “From the largest multi-national…

By Dan Wolfert— Muncie, IN—There’s a good chance Tim Beaty was looking down from high above during the 17th Annual Hillcroft Services Golf Scramble, held at The Players Club at Woodland Trails in Yorktown a few weeks back. He must have absolutely loved what he saw watching hole No. 13. Tim, affectionately known as Timbo to many, heartbreakingly lost his brave battle with COVID- 19 this past September at the age of 63. He participated in many different services at Hillcroft, dating back to 1976 soon after his graduation from Muncie Northside High School. In 2004, through Hillcroft’s employment services…

By Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN— Continuing its efforts to combat hunger in local communities, the YMCA of Muncie will offer food distribution during the summer months at the Downtown Y, Ross Community Center and Heekin Park. Healthy meals will be available to children 18 and under beginning June 1st. A unique partnership between the YMCA, Inside Out, Ross Community Center, Muncie Parks and Recreation and Muncie Sports Commission, the program provides children access to high quality and sustainable meals. “During times of uncertainty, families can count on the Y to provide essential services for the community,” says Chad Zaucha, President…

By Sheryl Swingley— Muncie, IN—The American Association of University Women and IPR Used Book Sale started Monday. It will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday in Assembly Hall of the Ball State Alumni Center, located at Bethel and Tillotson avenues. Parking is free. The book sale has more than 30 tables of books of nonfiction and fiction, including mysteries, romance, thrillers/adventure, biographies, history, opinion and religion; a great collection of cookbooks; a great collection of children’s books; numerous audio books; more than 600 CDs featuring all kinds of…