Gary Good Deeds Campaign ready for film finale event

GARY | Bridgette Kelly knows the importance of teamwork in creating a better future.

Since early last year the Gary resident has led a group of dedicated students, local leaders and concerned neighbors to clean up parks, stretches of roadway and neighborhoods.

"I have 12 students, along with other invested people and the mayor who have worked together to make improvements in these designated areas," said Kelly, founder of Bridgette C. Youth Foundation Inc. "And our next project, to work on renovations to Gary's Buffington Park, is already being planned to start as soon as the weather breaks."

Kelly and her group were eager to join others to participate in Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson's campaign encouraging the community to do "good deeds" this month.

The Good Deeds Campaign, launched Feb. 3, united several Northwest Indiana nonprofit organizations for a common cause.

During this month, each group encouraged residents to take video of "extraordinary good deeds" and post them by the past Monday on a specially designated Good Deed Facebook page for contest judging. The Times Media Co. is serving as a media sponsor.

The most extraordinary videos submitted will be selected as potential candidates to receive a cash prize.

For the campaign's conclusion, the public is invited to a special brunch and film event for Tyler Perry's new movie "Good Deeds" at 11 a.m. Saturday at the AMC Theatre in Hobart. Two adult and two student winners in the Gary campaign will be announced before the showing.

Advance press for the movie — written, produced and directed by Perry — describes it as "a moving, uplifting drama about coincidence, courage and the defining choices made on the path of life to happiness."

About 2,100 friends, family and associates are expected to view the movie Saturday, said Chareice White, corporate director of community relations for Majestic Star Casino and president of the Barden Gary Foundation and the Northern Indiana Chapter of the Links.

Other sponsoring organizations are Luke Oil, Advance Construction Services, Majestic Star Casinos and Hotel and DJW Financial, in addition to partnerships with AMC Theatres, Lithographic Communications and the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.

"Citizens appreciate the spirit of togetherness and goodwill engendered by this effort," Freeman-Wilson said. "They also have a sense that this is an ongoing effort, which is a personal plus for me.

"Two of the standout projects are Operation Evolve, led by the Bridgette C. Kelly Youth Foundation, which is an encouragement because the project is driven by young people who are committed to improving their community," Freeman-Wilson said. "I am also proud of Operation Clean Sweep, the effort led by NIPSCO, The Times and other community partners to prepare Tolleston School for demolition and construction of a state-of-the-art Boys & Girls Club. This [campaign] will be an ongoing effort that will be highlighted annually as an opportunity for us to remember that we are all connected."