Business and civic leaders along with devoted supporters and volunteers gathered at Big Shoulders Fund schools across Northwest Indiana for the 4th Annual Lend a Shoulder Day. The event demonstrated the impact of the Big Shoulders Fund mission to attendees by showing how support from volunteers, donors, business and civic leaders, and others continues to pave the way for the next generation of leaders.
“This day is a beautiful demonstration of the great work that our schools, teachers, and principals are doing to provide the high-quality education all students deserve,” said Dan Kozlowski, executive director at Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana. “It’s a celebration of the work that Big Shoulders Fund has done here in Northwest Indiana to provide a high-quality, values-based education to as many children as possible. Lend a Shoulder Day also helps to get word out to the community that there are ways to get involved and support these students.”
Big Shoulders Fund’s Lend a Shoulder Day provided more than 100 attendees with firsthand experiences that showcase how their support is making an impact on the more than 6,300 students in the Diocese of Gary. Attendees enjoyed an immersive experience in the classroom, interacting with students and participating in collaborative art activities and STEM projects, and enjoying student performances. Following activities with the students in Big Shoulders Fund schools, the day concluded with a celebratory lunch at Emerald Green Restaurant at the Lost Marsh Golf Course where community members networked and learned more about Big Shoulders Fund’s impact.
“Lend a Shoulder Day provides an up-close opportunity for community partners to see how their support is making a difference in our students’ daily lives,” said Gisele Jones, director of scholarship programs and leadership development at Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana. “Every child deserves access to a great education, no matter what, and this event is a great way to demonstrate how any individual can help make that possible.”
Big Shoulders Fund has supported schools that have served as neighborhood and community pillars in Northwest Indiana since 2019, when the organization was invited to replicate their successful Chicago model in The Region. Collectively, Big Shoulders Fund supports nearly 25,000 students across 92 schools in Illinois and Indiana, building a better and stronger future for the students and their communities. Big Shoulders Fund believes every student deserves access to a high-quality, values-based education, and offers more than 80 different scholarships and enrichment programs that are essential to helping families and students access a better education and build a brighter future.
“Big Shoulders Fund has been a part of Northwest Indiana for five years now, and it has been such a blessing to have so many members of the community jump in to support our students,” said Josh Hale, Big Shoulders Fund president & CEO. “It is truly inspiring to see everyone rallying around our mission to uplift children and communities throughout The Region.”
