Valparaiso University occupational therapy students give back to community
Students in Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions’ (CoNHP) Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) embraced the holiday spirit this year, participating in the Salvation Army of Porter County’s new Adopt-A-Family program. Taking on the needs of two families, the group gathered, wrapped and delivered $1,100 worth of holiday gifts for children and parents. The Adopt-A-Family program helps address the needs of low-income families in times of need, such as during the holiday season. Recipients of program benefits are those who cannot afford new toys, warm clothes or other seasonal items, and range from single-parent households on limited income, to large families where one or both parents are facing emergencies. For more on how to donate or get help from the Salvation Army of Porter County, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org/in/valparaiso/capitol-rd-corps/.
Waste Reduction District accepting committee applications
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County is accepting applications to serve on its Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC). Members are appointed annually and meet four to six times a year to devise strategies for improving waste reduction efforts throughout the county. The application period is open until Jan. 2. Apply at PorterCountyRecycling.org. Click on the “About Us” tab, find “Reports and Publications,” then scroll down to the “Citizen’s Advisory Committee” and click on the Application. Email completed applications to info@portercountyrecycling.org.
Purdue Northwest to host 2026 MLK Day events
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites the community to join in its celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy with two free programs featuring keynote speakers and opportunities for dialogue. A MLK Day Celebration will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Jan. 15 in Alumni Hall of the Student Union and Library Building on the Hammond campus, 2200 169th St. The keynote speaker will be Shontrai Irving, PNW alumnus and clinical professor of Business Law at PNW. A MLK Day Celebration also will be held from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. Jan. 19 in the Great Hall Events and Conference Center inside the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities complex on PNW’s Westville campus, 1401 S. U.S. 421. The program will include a performance by the Michigan City Krueger Middle School Choir, remarks by PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford and Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch, and a keynote address by Kiahna W. Davis. The event will include a free buffet breakfast. For more information on PNW’s MLK Day celebrations, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit pnw.edu/mlk-celebration.
Master Gardeners to offer ‘Winter Seed Sowing Workshop’
Join the Lake County Master Gardeners at 10 a.m. Jan. 10 for their “Winter Seed Sowing Workshop” with Dolly Foster. The workshop will take place at the Purdue Cooperative Extension building, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. Winter Sowing is a method of starting seeds outdoors in the winter. The workshop will focus on the “milk jug method,” an easy and successful way to start annuals, perennials, veggies, herbs and native seeds. Attendees are asked to bring a 1-gallon plastic jug and seeds to be used in preparing their winter sowing containers. Contact lakecountymastergardeners@gmail.com to reserve a space, or register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMEe6eEbzuLhtNF1FzJnecY67qyCdvDmCGV_osJPibalvV8Q/viewform.
Waste Reduction District, library to host Fix-It Fair
The Recycling and Waste District of Porter County will host a Fix-It Fair, a community-driven event focused on sustainability and skill-sharing. This free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Valparaiso Branch of the Porter County Public Library System, 103 Jefferson St., Valparaiso. The Fix-It Fair is designed to help community members breathe new life into their beloved but broken items, rather than discarding them. Expert volunteers will be on hand to offer free repair services and guidance for a wide variety of items, including, but not limited to: sewing and clothing; jewelry; small appliances; IT troubleshooting and computers; electronics; clocks and lamps; and tools and small furniture. Attendees are asked to register at https://portercountyrecycling.org/fix-it-fairs/ to ensure volunteers are prepared to make appropriate repairs. The Fix-It Fair is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For further information, contact Sarah at sarah@portercountyrecycling.org.
