About Us

History 

In 1996, Doris Gearhart handled calls for Helpline and heard many stories of people lacking funds to provide adequate heat and purchase warm clothing.  As a result, she used her sewing and crocheting talents to make quilts, lap robes, afghans, hat, scarves and mittens to give to those in need.  Jean Stockman became her helpmate in a rapidly growing senior volunteer program.  Once word got out, donations of supplies and the number of volunteers grew.

In 1998, working mostly from their homes or in senior community centers, the volunteers made items for the first “Warm-up Michiana” event.  Busy Hands (as the group was calling itself), gave away 300 handmade items to not-for-profit agencies to help those in need.    In 2008, the Busy Hands volunteers spent 55,000 hours making 17,000 items, to give to 55 agencies.  Busy Hands also gives away items to hospital, nursing homes, homeless shelters and continues to do so to this day.

When Doris passed away in 2005, Jean stepped up to serve as the volunteer director and kept the program going and growing.  Helpline closed in December 2002, and Busy Hands volunteers moved under the umbrella of Memorial Hospital.  In 2004, Catholic Charities took in the program, where it stayed until July 31, 2009 when they could no longer fund the program.  At that time, Lisa Jaworski, CEO  of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, Inc., approved Jean to move the operation into the upstairs of the Food Bank warehouse where an overflow of donated supplies was already being stored.

Under Jean’s guidance, Busy Hands has gone through several transformations in it’s first 13 years of community service, growing larger and more viable with each transition. In their latest home at the Food Bank, working with minimal cash and much loving donated time and talent, they continue to serve.  From August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010, Busy Hands of Michiana gave away 5,000 items.  Volunteer’s hours totaled 20,000 hours.  Donations of raw materials grew to the point of filling 10,000 square feet.

Current

Busy Hands now serves several counties in northern Indiana as well as in Southern Michiana, thus, the name became Busy Hands of Michiana. 

Today, Busy Hands is a place where the older and younger generations share skills, ideas, and their stories.

The program offers many opportunities for learning and using lifetime skills.  In addition to the needlework and crafts, volunteers repair sewing machines, sharpen shears, deliver and pick up goods, take inventory and develop speaking and marketing skills.

Additionally, experienced directors of not-for-profit organizations and businesses have come forward to help formulate bylaws, develop business and marketing plans, establish a bookkeeping system for the donated computer.  Some will serve as board members and others will continue in an advisory capacity.  All are dedicated to helping Busy Hands of Michiana achieve even more success in reaching out to help the community.  

Future

With the volunteer aid of community professionals, Busy Hand of Michiana, Inc., is developing Business and Marketing Plans and Fundraising Events along with grant proposals.  Busy Hands of Michiana will continue to grow as a viable resource for recycling materials by turning them into useful products for those in need.  At the same time, we will be giving senior citizens as well as others, an opportunity to use their talents in a meaningful way.  

 

Board of Directors 

2021
Monte Hershberger	President
Barb Nifong	Vice President
Shotsie Karasiak	Secretary
Mike Pfeil	Treasurer
Richard Chapla	Member
Rose Alvarez	Member
Christine Deitchley	Director of Operations