Poll workers needed – Many of the volunteers who work the polls on Election Day are unable to do so this year because they fall into the high-risk category for COVID-19. Hamilton County is looking for volunteers – especially teenagers and school teachers who will be out of school by the June 2 election – to help. The county needs at least 100 workers. Learn more at hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
Virtual forum – Citizens’ Climate Lobby is hosting a virtual town hall meeting with candidates for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District at 7 p.m. April 22. Candidates will share proposed solutions for addressing climate change and creating clean energy jobs during the nonpartisan forum. Register at zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdemrqTIpl-PUjv5O9LxoeQkGMK5RKg.
Busey Bank offers financial relief – To help alleviate some of the financial hardships customers may face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or resulting economic impacts the outbreak has caused, Busey Bank has launched a financial relief program for its customers. For consumers and retail customers, for the next six months Busey is offering waivers of pre-authorized transfer fees to prevent overdrafts. For personal loan and mortgage customers, Busey is offering multiple payment deferral options for qualifying customers with loans. For more, visit busey.com/financialreliefprogram.
Bulk trash pickup suspension extended – The City of Carmel and Republic Services has extended the suspension of bulk item and bulky landscape waste pickup through at least April 20 in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Basic trash and recyclable pickup will continue. Trash is to be bagged and recyclables kept loose in their respective carts. For questions regarding trash service contact Republic Services at 317-917-7300. Detailed recycling questions can be answered at recyclingsimplified.com. Questions about residential trash billing can be directed to 317-571-2442.
Campground closed – The White River Campground in Cicero, which traditionally opens April 15, will remain closed until further notice. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation announced the decision April 8, two days after Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered campgrounds at state parks to close to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation will
Free laundry services – Tide Cleaners and Tide Loads of Hope are offering free laundry services to front line responders and their immediate families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the program and find local participating stores at Hope.TideCleaners.com.
Homework help – Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is extending hours for the AskRose math and science tutoring helpline this spring to help middle and high school students better understand math and science homework problems. Free homework help is available from noon to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays through a phone call, email or chat session. Connections can be made at 877-275-7673 or AskRose.org. The site also offers more than 500 resources available through videos and downloadable reference materials.
Humane Society closed – In response to the increasing concern with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Humane Society for Hamilton County has closed to the public and has ceased adoptions. The HSHC will continue accepting any of the county’s lost, stray or unwanted animals. To surrender an animal, bring in a stray or look for a lost pet, call 317-773-4974. HSHC hours will be 8 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. The HSHC is asking for monetary donations or donations from its wish list available at amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1MGI1R3B4ZZSF/ref=cm_sw_su_w.
Orr Fellowship winner – Elizabeth Johns of Carmel is among five DePauw University seniors to receive an Orr Fellowship, which will place them in jobs in Indianapolis for two years after graduation. Johns will work for Greenlight Guru, which designs software for medical device companies. She is majoring in English writing with a minor in political science.
Art competition – The office of U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks is seeking submissions from high school students in the 5th District for a chance to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. May 21. For competition details, visit susanwbrooks.house.gov/services/art-competition.
Newcomers Club – Newcomers Club of Carmel, a nonprofit social club, connects its members with friends, engages in fun activities and explores the community. Monthly activities include a welcome coffee, a luncheon event and 32 interest group meetings. Membership represents Carmel, Westfield, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville and Indianapolis. For more, visit carmelnewcomers.com or call 317-564-8349.
Stratford now hiring – Carmel retirement community The Stratford is looking to hire qualified workers amidst current unemployment trends. To support those who are looking for new careers, the community has set up a dedicated hotline to speak directly to the community’s HR director as a quick way of connecting. Additionally, the team has implemented Daily Pay, a way to cash out the hours that have been worked that day. The Stratford offers benefits including medical, dental, vision insurance, wellness program, flexible PTO options, emergency loan options and more. For more, call 317-342-9009 or apply online at Stratford-living.com/careers.
Paralegal joins firm – Carmel-based Hollingsworth Roberts Means has added paralegal Kim Achs to the firm. Her primary focus will be with the divorce and family law team. Achs previously worked at Faegre Drinker. She graduated from Sinclair Community College. Achs and her husband live in Greenwood with their two daughters.
Virtual job fair – INDOT will host a virtual job fair from 10 to 11 a.m. April 16 for more than 1,000 construction and related positions. The program will cover what INDOT does, benefits in working for INDOT, how to apply for jobs and details about specific jobs available in four main areas: summer seasonal state workers, highway maintenance techs, equipment mechanics and construction engineers. To register for the job fair, visit attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7684424500148015117.
Goodwill emergency fund – The Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana has created a COVID-19 emergency fund to provide critical support for the most immediate needs of the thousands of employees, students and families served by Goodwill. Donors can contribute to the fund at goodwillindy.org/donatenow. The Goodwill Foundation will match donations to the emergency fund, $2 for every $1 donated, up to $500,000 in matching funds. For more information and to donate, visit goodwillindy.org/donatenow.
MetroNet announces relief plan – MetroNet Fiber recently announced a COVID-19 relief plan to help customers during a time when they need reliable internet more than ever. As demands for faster connections and more bandwidth have increased, MetroNet is allowing residential customers to increase to the next level of speed at no cost. The company is also waiving installation fees for new residential customers. Business customers will receive free remote phone system capabilities for 60 days to enable companies to continue running seamlessly while teams transition to working from home. In an effort to support local restaurants, MetroNet is sponsoring daily lunch carry-out for associates Learn more at metronetinc.com/wp-content/uploads/19-ways-MetroNet-is-helping-communities-final.pdf.
Plasma can help COVID-19 patients – As coronavirus or COVID-19 continues its spread across the globe, Versiti Blood Center of Indiana has begun collecting plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients throughout Indiana to help treat those diagnosed with the virus. This blood-related treatment, approved by the FDA as an emergency investigational new drug, could offer hope to the hundreds of patients who continue to be diagnosed. This treatment would be used by hospitals for the most severely affected patients. For more, visit versiti.org/Indiana.
Hospice volunteers needed – Anew Hospice is recruiting volunteers to visit patients in facilities in Carmel, Noblesville and elsewhere in the Indianapolis area. Volunteers provide assistance by listening and reminiscing, comforting, reading and playing music. For more information, call 317-300-2292 or visit AnewCare.com.
