On this beautiful #ThankYouThursday, I want to share some gratitude for Random Acts of Flowers!…read moreThis nonprofit accepts fresh flower and used vase donations, then creates pretty bouquets that they deliver to people in healthcare facilities. They're making peoples' days all around the city and I think it's such a rad mission. If you have a wedding or big event, you should definitely donate your florals to RAOF instead of tossing them afterwards so they can continue to spread joy. If you don't have flowers or vases to donate, you can volunteer to make the bouquets or create an event for your office or friend group to craft bouquets while you chat. Super fun and simple!

Random Acts of Flowers(RAF) is an amazing non-profit started by a guy named Larson who saw a need…read moreand immediately took action. This random act of kindness turned into Random Acts of Flowers... This organization has since grown to have locations not only in Indianapolis but also in the Knoxville and Tampa Bay areas. Over the years they've aided in the improved well-being of over 481,000 bouquet recipients nationwide!! This.is.AmAzInG!! Yesterday, through work, I had the opportunity to help create bouquets to be delivered at Eskenazi Health. Our goal was 125 bouquets, we surpass our goal and I couldn't be more thrilled! Feeling extremely blessed to have been apart of something that makes such a positive impact! Being a nonprofit they rely heavily on donations. Please up cycle your extra vases and unneeded floral arrangements. Together we can make a huge impact on someone recovering!

After parting with the vinyl shop we turn the corner and come across books outside noted FREE... we…read moreimmediately made a b-line over to take a look and see what they had to offer. There were alot of books to choose from. we were all able to find something . After which we went in to take a look around. They had a wonderful selection of childrens books, rare books as well. Its a medium sized spot but they fit a childrens corner in. I was pleased to find vintage Richie Rich and Sugar and Spike comic books for 1.00. This was certainly a wonderful place to stumble upon which had alot of gems inside. The vintage type writers were a really cool touch as well. Everything about this place was inviting and warm. At the cash register I came across an assortment of stickers and if you know me, you know I love stickers..Of course I grabbed a couple to complete my purchase. There is a space right by the door that has a sitting area, the leather chair was so comfortable but it was thw huge leather ottoman for me and the chess set that makes you wanna learn to play, if you do t already no how too. I could spend hours sitting and reading. Finally it was time to go but I will most certainly be back to see what other treasures I can find. Until next time Indy reads!!!

I have heard of indy reads, but had never had the chance to visit until recently, it is a well…read moreorganized space with an impressive selection of books! The shop embraces a cozy and welcoming feel, and the staff was very friendly! Can't wait to go back, check them out if you are in the area!

This community center is a much needed resource and I'm thankful to have it available for everyone…read morein the city! I personally visited as part of a local business fair that supported up-and-coming business owners connect with financial, marketing and start-up needs. This center also has a partnership with IPS and helps students find additional educational help, as well as a safe, quiet place to study. They also help with housing questions, offer a fitness zone, host workshops, advocate for east-side development and more. They're truly wonderful! Currently during COVID19, you can't walk in the offices without a meeting, so I'd suggest calling beforehand to book an appointment.

I visited the John Boner Center on a weekend during COVID to get on-boarded to work for the US…read moreCensus, which means the normal goings-on inside weren't happening. But I was able to look at all the photos and posters on the walls to see all the good things that happen there during the weekday. The John Boner Center offers a variety of community services for Indianapolis residents who need it. Right now, during COVID-19, you cannot just have a walk-in appointment. Please make sure you call ahead and schedule an appointment first, and wear a mask!

Dotted Line Divas was started by an incredible woman who, while going through a hard time a few…read moreyears ago, spent every Saturday driving to local pantries to collect items for her family. She quickly realized that most food pantries had almost no personal hygiene or home items necessary to sustain a family. She redirected her attention to couponing and became incredibly good at it. She now uses her extreme couponing skills to serve 100+ families each month. She opened a personal care pantry that offers the following: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine care items, diapers, wipes, toilet paper, home cleaning supplies, detergent, deodorant, books and more. This pantry is located in the new Mercy Road church off of 96th and Michigan Road and is open for "pantry day" every third Saturday of the month from 10am-12pm. Families can register beforehand or show up and fill out paperwork. Volunteers will then call a family up, take them through the pantry and ask if there's anything our team can be praying for. If there are extra items in the pantry from 12pm-1pm, people who need it can pay $1 or $2 to snag additional items. There needs to be ideally 20 volunteers to make this nonprofit possible every third Saturday. Bonus points if you can speak Spanish or Burmese. Please sign up on their website sign up link before showing up to volunteer so they know you're coming. If you have a few extra hours, it'll mean the world to the families and you'll meet incredibly kind people that you'll feel honored to help! Everyone is so kind and sweet. I even learned a ton of Spanish thanks to the patient people who taught me while we shopped!

The founder is so passionate about her project that you can't help but get swept away…read more Truthfully this is a worthwhile project. There are so many food banks, but those do not supply any kind of hygiene articles: the shampoos, soaps, sanitary napkins, toilet paper, detergents, toothpaste, diapers... those type of things are just as necessary for your health as food. Dotted Line Divas steps in here and tries to supply at least some of the most needed items. Of course they are dependent on our assistance. So consider donating your time or money or goods to this worthwhile cause. Keep in mind that sanitary napkins, tampons and diapers are the most needed items.

Last night the Ronald McDonald House had an event where they had a list of items needed for the…read morehouse. Paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, etc. If you brought some to the house you could help "pack the pace car" and get your picture taken in it. This was a great idea and I was so glad to see so many people donated. It was a two day event from 3-6 pm. You just pulled up at the circle and drop it off. They said they will most likely do this event next year because they had a great turn out. Years ago Yelp had event here where we baked cookies for the families at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a great way to help out the families that are going through so much. We got to see Mac the therapy dog and they took us on a tour of the house. All the families receive a bag full of items upon arrival. Some of these families live out of state while some are in state but maybe live far from Riley Hospital. They have volunteer opportunities as well as lists of items they may need periodically at the house. I hope Yelp does another event here again. I guess they had one a couple of years before I did the event during Christmas time. This is a great organization that I will definitely donate to again!

The Ronald McDonald House is one of those non-profits that you're excited to get behind because you…read moreknow they're well-run. They constantly need both volunteers to make breakfasts, dinners, frozen meals, and bake cookies. They also have nightly activities such as Bingo that they love volunteers to run. Sign up ahead of time to reserve your group. They take groups on a tour of the space and explain everything. I found this to be incredibly special, as it attached our group to the work we were about to do and the heart behind the organization. The Ronald McDonald House allows families to stay as long as they need while they're child is in Riley Hospital. Families stay for either one night to a year. The homemade meals are vital to provide, as people under the stress of having a loved one in the hospital often forget to eat and need to be cared for. They also accept donations - however everything does need to be new (nonperishable food, lotions, shampoos, soaps, toothbrushes, etc). The only thing that can be donated used is books (they have an awesome library for the families). We baked cookies with our group and it was a fun, group-bonding activity in addition to being able to provide for a group that needs it. Grab your friends and volunteer here for an evening!

Dear Girls Inc, You…read moregive me warm fuzzies and we're still just in the beginning stages of our relationship. All throughout college I thought to myself, "One day. One day, Brittany, you'll step up to the plate to be a Girls Inc volunteer like all those other cool professional ladies out there. One day." 'Tis the day where I get to hang out with teenage girls and talk about things like money management, being independent and doing your own damn thang. Fortunately, for my roller coaster of a schedule, you are not only extremely organized but manageable for those of us who fear taking on more than we can chew. You even have your own custom shoulder bags. How much more official does it get than that? Consider this a thank you note. A "thank you" for the opportunity and a "thank you" for all you're doing in the city. Yours truly, Britt

From the owner: Girls Inc.® of Greater Indianapolis inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We provide…read morehands-on programs that address the challenges that girls face today, such as self-esteem and bullying. We want girls to be healthy, educated, and independent. Girls Inc. partners with schools and community organizations and utilizes volunteers to deliver programs for girls.

These folks do good work, you may of seen PUP products at silver in the city. They repurpose old…read moreitems and repurpose them into new things! I had no idea they were located on the west side in the central state "village" we were lucky and got a tour from the director and learned all about the mission, and got to see some different secret projects they are working on. I was impressed by how well they pay their people For there work in all of the hand stitching of each product, their price points make a lot more sense now. You can bring your company there for a day of volunteering to help them prep material so it can be made into different products. Also saw what is left of the Hoosier dome, it takes up such a small corner of the building it's crazy to think how it's been made into so many different products. Love the work pup does, and was lucky to be able to purchase some sweet Indy stickers! One day I'll have an actual pup product

Wow. Just wow. I had heard of PUP and thought they were similar to USI because I know them for…read moretheir 317 tees and Indianapolis apparel, but they are so much more than that. PUP is focused on turning trash into treasure. They collect refuse from the city and repurpose it into something brand new. They're responsible for the "pup seats" at bus stations around town that are Bush Stadium baseball seats. Way cool! What got me was that they salvaged 13 ACRES of material from the RCA Dome roof...and now they use it to make wallets and messenger bags! SO COOL. They also have old signage from the 2012 Super Bowl that Indy hosted and use it in the bags, as well. PUP gathers volunteers to scrounge around the junkyard every month. For example, they use old seat belts as straps for bags...how creative and smart! PUP has a great mission and is doing really cool things in the city - check 'em out! The studio in Fountain Square is a bit hard to find in the Murphy Arts Building but it's a cool studio vibe. My only complaint is that I wish their products weren't so expensive - i had my eye on a duffel bag but it was $150+ dollars!

I've been a volunteer with Starfish for over 2 years now, and it has been the most rewarding…read morevolunteer experience I've ever had. The program matches college graduates with high school students who are typically going to be first generation college students and whose families' income falls within a range similar to the requirements for the 21st century scholars program. I was matched with a wonderful scholar who needed a rematch in her sophomore year because her previous mentor had to withdraw from the program. We took art classes, visited colleges, explored some parks, museums and ate out at fun restaurants. We also worked on college applications and stressed waiting to hear back...and I'm thrilled to say my scholar just started this summer at IU!! I'm looking forward to exploring Bloomington with her on my upcoming visits! If you're looking for a volunteer experience that will give you the chance to build a relationship and help make a difference for a young person I highly recommend Starfish! Time commitment needs to be regular, at least twice a month face to face with texting and calls in between, but can be anytime and anywhere that works for you and your scholar. I'm signed up to be matched with a new freshman in addition to staying on as a mentor with my now post Starfish college student. I'm hoping some other Yelpers will join me!

Great organization. They have really made some strides and do some great work for high school…read morekids. Plus a beautiful uplifting well decorating facility.