By Mark Ambrogi
With the numbers of senior citizens in Hamilton County rising quickly, the time seems right for Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County to hold its first major fundraiser.
The center focuses on helping seniors maintain their independence as long as possible, executive director Lauren Guynn said.
“It helps them age in place,” said Guynn, a Noblesville resident who became the first full-time executive director at the Noblesville-based nonprofit in September 2015.
The is the first year for the center’s Celebration Street Fair, which will be held 4 to 8 p.m. July 31 at Mustard Seed Gardens, 77 Metsker Lane, Noblesville.
The event will feature The Doo! Band (formerly Zanna-Doo!). The admission ticket includes one drink ticket. There will be a wine tasting with an adult ticket purchase. Samples and tastings from Hamilton County restaurants will be available. There will be carnival games for children and adults. Raffle prize tickets will be on sale.
Guynn said all of the proceeds from tickets and raffle tickets go to the Shepherd’s Center.
“It’s just a fun, family-friendly evening,” she said. “We’re hoping it can be an annual event for us.”
Guynn said the center has two main programs, with one called Together Today.
“It’s a socialization program (for ages 55 and over) where we bring seniors together to have community and prevent isolation,” Guynn said. “We also have a Community Caring program (for ages 65 and over), which is specifically for low-income seniors. We help them with just about anything they need to maintain their independence in their own home.”
That includes visits, transportation and house cleaning.
The center, which started in 1985, began with the socialization program.
Current Publishing, Crew Car Wash and Fuzion Inc., serve as gold level sponsors of the events.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $40 for a couple and $10 for children 10 and over. Children 10 and under are admitted free. Tickets increase $5 the day of the event.
For tickets, visit shepherdscenterofhamiltoncounty.org.
