If there’s one thing that held true throughout all of 2020, it’s that our Valparaiso and Porter County community stayed strong and stayed together. We distributed meals to thousands of families and frontline workers, made our voices heard by voting, reprioritized what is important, and above all, supported those around us. It can be seen in the countless community articles that we published this year, but we could not have continued to share good with you if it wasn’t for our community.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 community articles from Valpo.Life in 2020:
Currie Motors Ford of Valpo gives back to the community with mask donations
Philanthropy is an aspect of life that often goes unnoticed, but for those who are directly impacted by charitable actions, it is something they will not soon forget. Currie Motors Ford of Valpo donated nearly 10,000 masks to three school districts in the area.
Friends and family gather to celebrate the adventurous, vibrant life of Linda Reyes-Popovich
Guy Lombardo wrote a song titled “Enjoy Yourself, It’s Later Than You Think.” In it, Lombardo sings, “The years go by, as quickly as a wink. Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.”
Hilltop Neighborhood House and United Way of Porter County have partnered together to host 2020 Benefit for the Hungry, a fundraiser aimed at providing food for individuals who frequent the Hilltop Food Pantry in Valparaiso. Jennifer Wright, President and CEO of Hilltop Neighborhood House, said that the organization has seen a 300% increase in activity since COVID-19 began, adding to the 150-300 individuals their food pantry serves on a weekly basis.
On Wednesday afternoon, State Senator Ed Charbonneau presented Jon Groth, retired director of the Porter County Career and Technical Center, with the Sagamore of the Wabash award, one of the highest honors the Governor of Indiana can bestow.
New Valparaiso Community Schools superintendent committed to ‘We are Valpo’
“I believe in Valpo. I believe ‘We Are Valpo’ is more than a slogan – it is a commitment to the ideals that the kids come first, that we commit ourselves to the greater good, that exposure and opportunity drives our program implementation, and that our successes should bring a humble commitment toward continued improvement.”
MAAC & GIS Show Appreciation for First Responders
The excitement could not be contained at the First Responder Appreciation and Demonstration day hosted on the property of the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC).
Thomas Jefferson Elementary teacher celebrates first graders with drive-thru giveaway
With schools closed, many news headlines highlighted high school seniors finishing their journeys from home, but even first-grade students grappled with wrapping up their year online. Teachers, such as Thomas Jefferson Elementary’s Mrs. Laura Bryan, had to instantly transform into virtual classrooms. Now, with classes finishing, she had to find a new way to offer her students some excitement at the end of the year as they prepare to move on to second grade.
First responders honor Porter Regional Hospital staff
Solidarity, love, and respect filled the air in a spectacular lighted display as dozens of first responders circled Porter Regional Hospital with their rigs and vehicles Saturday night to thank the hospital staff for their courage and dedication during the pandemic.
Dr. Larry McAfee finds the secret to staying young after retirement: give back
There comes a time in life when no matter how generous you are able to be with your wealth, giving your time and talent is equally, or maybe even more, impactful. Dr. Larry McAfee is there and can articulate exactly why he spends so much time volunteering for various causes even after retirement.
VNA of Northwest Indiana celebrates 50 years of service and renovated Hospice Center
2020 is a milestone year for the VNA of Northwest Indiana, marking 50 years of dedicated service throughout the Region. To celebrate the occasion, they partnered with the Valpo Chamber to host Business After Hours at their newly renovated Hospice Center.
