'Tis the season to give back and what better place to do so than Downtown? From charity events to toy drives and volunteer opportunities, consider this your Downtown guide to giving.
Give and let live this holiday season
•Nothing says the holidays like Jimmy Stewart in the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. Bring your friends and family Downtown to view this classic movie on the big screen. In the spirit of giving, you'll definitely earn your "angel wings" Dec. 1! All proceeds will benefit Downtown Beautification, helping to keep your city clean, green and vibrant!
•Celebrate ten years of Tonic at the Tonic Ball Nov. 18 in Fountain Square. In addition to having a good time and making an impact, Tonic Indy & Second Helpings are focused on feeding people and transforming lives through the power of food. Funds raised through the event are donated to Second Helpings, a non-profit community kitchen specializing in food rescue, fighting hunger and culinary training.
•Grant a Hoosier child's wish come true at the Hyatt's Christmas in the Kitchen dinner Dec. 12. The unique holiday food extravaganza benefits Indiana Children's Wish Fund.
Sharing is caring
•Join Scotty's Brewhouse Downtown in collecting toys for Riley Hospital for Children Nov. 21 - Dec. 9. For every donation, a guest will receive a FREE order of Scotty's popular dill chips. After cleaning up the dill chips, be sure to order the Riley Red Wagon Hot Cocoa, $1 of every cocoa purchase will be donated to Riley's. http://www.scottysbrewhouse.com/
•Purchase a toy at one of Downtown's stores and give the gift of "play" to a Central Indiana child at RTV6's Toy Drive on Monument Circle Dec. 16 from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. http://www.theindychannel.com/toy-drive/index.html
•In Indianapolis, many of our friends, neighbors, and relatives are hungry. Together, we can help. Join the City of Indianapolis Front Porch Alliance in the fight against hunger! Bring a case of food for Pack the Pantries: A Case for Giving to a Gleaners Food Bank location. Gleaners Food Banks will distribute the donations to local food banks. For more information, visit http://www.indy.gov/eGov/Mayor/programs/Neighborhoods/FrontPorchAlliance/Pages/Home.aspx
Get your hands on Downtown
Several Downtown organizations depend on volunteers for daily operations. Put your cooking skills to use for the good of others in the Second Helpings, Wheeler Mission Ministries, and The Salvation Army Women and Children's Shelter's kitchens. The Ronald McDonald House and Salvation Army also offer many volunteer opportunities. For more charity opportunities, visit http://www.indydt.com/eventlist.cfm?
Visit indydt.com for more information including Downtown parking and maps, as well as a complete calendar of Downtown Indianapolis events.
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. exists to improve Downtown. It is action oriented and addresses critical issues that affect Downtown's growth and well-being. IDI focuses on three areas: development, management and marketing.