On December 21 2018, Webb House, Inc. held its annual Christmas celebration, hosting a food and toy giveaway for local veterans. The event was made possible by the generous donation of Brian Flenner, General Manager of the Railcats.
Flenner allowed Webb House to utilize the facility to distribute more than 100 Kentucky Smoked Hams, and trimmings to complete the veterans’ Christmas dinner.
Through the assistance of the NAACP Gary Branch, and Stephen Mays of State Farm Insurance, the additional trimmings were provided from Save More and County Market grocery stores in Gary.
The toys were provided by Sojourner Truth of Gary; there were some popular choices available for the veterans’ children and grandchildren. Jason Harris of Centier provided tote bags for everyone to carry their donations home. Harris was also one of the hardworking volunteers.
Notable volunteers were Jim Osborne, former Chicago Bear, Indiana State Senator Lonnie Randolph; Nate Cain, Indiana War Memorial Commissioner; Steve Grott, former Indiana State Commander, AMVETS; Carlos Shirley; Shandelon Guy, retired Army veteran and her family.
Special recognition went to Lisa Wein for her years of service as executive director of Haven House, a shelter for battered women. Robert Farmer, executive director of Webb House and Wein often work closely together to provide emergency housing for homeless and battered female veterans.
John Luers of the former Luers Tree Farm in Crown Point provided the transportation to pick up the hams in Kentucky.
The Chicago Bears organization provided accessories and bags stuffers.
“Thanks to all of our sponsors and volunteers, who are too numerous to name, our event was a huge success in providing food for our Veterans of Northwest Indiana. We hope that Webb House was able to bring some joy and put smiles on the faces of our veterans,” said Farmer.
