Dayspring Center

2008 Driving for Dreams Golf Classic

Mid-September, Dayspring Center and several other not-for-profit organizations participate in the Driving for Dreams Golf Classic held at Eagle Creek Golf Course. Golfers have the option of raising pledges or donating the entrance fee for their charity of choice. Prizes are awarded to the golfer with the most pledges, as well as longest drive, longest putt and �hole-in-one�. The Sycamore Foundation established Driving for Dreams to assist local non-for-profits that serve youth and their families. Each year this event raises more than $50,000. Golfers may register for the Driving for Dreams Golf Classic on-line or call 635-6780 x211 beginning late Spring.

Driving for Dreams was established by the Sycamore Foundation to assist local non-for-profits that serve youth and their families in central Indiana.

Concert for Kindness to Benefit Homeless Families with Children

Christian performing artists, Sarah Bauer, Frank Bradford and Renée Martin partnered with Praise Promos and Dayspring Center to perform in a “Concert for Kindness”, a benefit to raise awareness on family homelessness in central Indiana. The brainstorm of Michael Shildmyer of Praise Promos, the Concerts for Kindness were held on January 23 at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church and February 9 at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. Each concert opened with the contemporary Christian music of the Praise Band, followed by the unique sounds of Christian performing artists who donated their time and talent to help the homeless families in our city. During the program, the audience learned about family homelessness in central Indiana and the many ways they could help to advance the mission of Dayspring Center.

Praise Promos works together with faith-based organizations to overcome poverty, hunger, abuse, and homelessness. Through “Concerts for Kindness” proceeds are raised to benefit those less fortunate. To learn more about Concerts for Kindness, please visit www.PraisePromos.com.

For more on the Christian Recording Artists:

“Sponsor-a-Family”

Local Indianapolis businesses, community groups and churches rallied to bring gifts and financial contributions to 40 families for the 2007 holiday season. Each year, families staying at the emergency shelter or participating in our transitional or follow-up programs benefit from the giving spirit of their sponsors. Sponsors remain anonymous to the families and provide parents the opportunity to give to their children during the season.

2007 Halloween Howl for the Homeless

Nearly 300 guests, many fully clad in costume, gathered at The Mansion at Oak Hill in Carmel October 26, to attend the 2007 Halloween Howl for the Homeless. Emcee, Jeff Pigeon and Executive Director of Dayspring, Lori Casson, presented the “Faces of Homelessness”, a brief but heart-wrenching look at the many children affected by family homelessness today. This is the second year board officers, Lisa Glenn and Susan Summers chaired the event. The event raised over $46,000 for Dayspring Center.

Driving for Dreams

Last September, Dayspring Center and nine other not-for-profit organizations participated in the Driving for Dreams Golf Classic held at Eagle Creek Golf Course. Golfers have the option of raising pledges or donating the entrance fee for their charity of choice. Prizes are awarded to the golfer with the most pledges, as well as longest drive, longest putt and “hole-in-one”. The Sycamore Foundation established Driving for Dreams to assist local non-for-profits that serve youth and their families. Each year this event raises more than $50,000.

“Garden to Market” Project

Every spring, volunteers and residents prepare the soil, plant selected vegetables and herbs, and tend the 30' x 100' plot of land known as Dayspring's garden. When ready, the produce is used to prepare a variety of irresistible homemade goods that are sold every Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market in Broad Ripple, June through September.

This year, board member Donna Zierdt, oversaw the 20-hour a week task of preparing baked goods in the kitchen at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Manned by several “early bird” volunteers, the Dayspring booth was open for business at 8 a.m. every Saturday. Although the quantity of baked goods prepared were plentiful, Dayspring's delicious yields were typically sold out by 10 a.m. This year, over 30 volunteers took part in the Garden to Market Project, raising over $9,000 for Dayspring's summer camp program, Camp Discovery.

Camp Discovery

Camp Discovery provides a safe, nurturing place for homeless children to gather during the summer. Each weekday is packed with activities designed to help the child grow, blossom and cope with the crisis of homelessness. Camp Discovery welcomes residents of Dayspring Center, Wellspring Cottage and former residents living outside the shelter for less than 6 months. Attendance has increased from 35 campers in 2005 to nearly 100 children since 2007! The child's participation in various recreational and educational activities helps to boost their self-respect, physical and social development, as well as improve academic skills. Several field trips encourage the children's exploration of nature, music, art and the community they live in. Camp Discovery is held June through August.