HANDS Foundation lends a hand at Children's Hope House in Fort Wayne
(Talk of the Town photo by John Slavich) HANDS Foundation volunteers David Johnson and Stuart Hillsmeir, above at center, engage in a shoveling match while scooping mulch to place on gardens around the Children's Hope House in Fort Wayne. Below, the kitchen crew works to prepare a feast of enchiladas for staff and volunteers. From left is Adult Guide Rachael LaPage supervising while Ross St. Clair and Nicole Pippenger work on making 60 enchiladas. 
By John Slavich
On Thursday, April 23, HANDS Foundation members gathered at Children’s Hope House in Fort Wayne to volunteer doing spring cleaning chores and select HANDS scholarship winners.
The various service projects members participated in included cooking, mulching, window washing, cleaning toy room and dusting. Those who cooked made a meal of enchiladas, bean dip and salsa for the guests of Hope House and for HANDS members and guides.
When the projects were done and the food in the oven, HANDS members separated by school to look over another school’s scholarship applications. Winners will receive a $750 scholarship and will be announced at each high school’s awards ceremony. Concluding the day was a small business meeting where one grant application was reviewed and plans for next month’s meeting was made.
The HANDS Foundation is brought to Whitley County through a collaborative effort of The Dekko Foundation, Whitley County Community Foundation and three school corporations.
If you would like more information about HANDS, contact John Slavich at 244-5224.