Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson launches 'Good Deeds' campaign

GARY | Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson announced a campaign Friday encouraging the community to do "good deeds" in February.

The campaign joins several Northwest Indiana nonprofit organizations, including the Barden Gary Foundation, Northern Indiana Chapter of the Links, YWCA, WDS Group, Lake Area United Way, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana and Delta Sigma Theta Inc.

Each group, along with The Times Media Co. serving as a media sponsor, is encouraging residents to take video of "extraordinary good deeds" and post them on a special designated Good Deed Facebook page. The campaign runs from Monday through Feb. 20.

"This initiative emphasizes the responsibility citizens have to each other and their community," said Freeman-Wilson. "This is a chance for every person to look outside themselves to see what they can do for others."

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

At the campaign conclusion, two adult and two student winners will attend a special premiere of Tyler Perry's new movie "Good Deeds" at 11 a.m. Feb. 25 at AMC Theater in Merrillville.

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."

Brandon Griffin, a 2007 graduate of Gary's West Side High School, asked if his newly created business firm specializing in online marketing and design could design the promotional materials for the project.

"I'm a Gary resident who was born and raised here and as a youth. I was given so much from the many groups who are partnering together to create this campaign," said Griffin, who was a Barden Foundation Scholar.

"This is my way of now giving back."

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 & Visitors Authority.