Initiative gives wheelchair users a Brush with Kindness

For one Gary senior citizen named Maddie, getting outside on ground level by herself was almost impossible.

Get in on the Fun: Upcoming Lake Michigan Area Social Events

Welcome to the Times Party pages, where we cover the social scene in our area. If you have an upcoming social event or fundraiser you would like featured in our Shore or Times Weekend pages, contact Kathleen.Dorsey@nwi.com with an invitation.

Get in on the Fun: Upcoming Lake Michigan Area Social Events

Welcome to our Times Party pages, where we cover the social scene in our area. If you have an upcoming social event or fundraiser you would like featured in our Shore or Times Weekend pages, contact Kathleen.Dorsey@nwi.com with an invitation.

School supply benefactors

Walkers and runners follow the bike/walking trail from Hammond Civic Center to Gavit High School for an event which helps fund the annual school supply giveaway for Hammond area school students in need. The participants endured near freezing temperatures Saturday morning.

School supply benefactors

Runners and walkers register for the Hammond City Charity 10K or 5K walk/run which sponsors the annual school supply giveaway for Hammond area grade school students in need.

OFFBEAT: 'Buds and Blossoms' charity event is 'flower power'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Get in on the Fun: Upcoming Lake Michigan Area Social Events

Welcome to our Times Party pages, where we cover the social scene in our area. If you have an upcoming social event or fundraiser you would like featured in our Shore or Times Weekend pages, just contact philip.potempa@nwi.com with an invitation.

Greg Geimer and his Buffalo Chicken Chili at the 2013 Lupus Foundation of Indiana 11th Annual Chili Cook-Off

Greg Geimer, 31, of Portage serves up his first place winning recipe for a buffalo chicken-inspired chili at Saturday's 11th Annual Lupus Foundation Chili Cook-Off at Merrillville High School.

Cookies with Caring Place Logo Decorations Highlighted on Tea Event Menu

Cookies, decorated with The Caring Place Logo, highlighted table centerpieces at the afternoon tea event.

Susie Heinold and Charlotte Laterzo

Susie Heinold and Charlotte Laterzo, both of Valparaiso, share tea pouring duties.

Catwalk for the Cause Charity Fashion Show

Courtney Miller, a third-year law student at Valparaiso University, models an outfit by Buckle on Friday night during the third annual Catwalk for the Cause Charity Fashion Show to raise money for Lakeshore PAWS.

Law students raise money for local animal rescue

Ruby the dog gets pets from second-year Valparaiso University law student Sarah Skocelas on Friday night at the Haare Union during the third annual Catwalk for the Cause Charity Fashion Show to raise money for Lakeshore PAWS.

Law students raise money for local animal rescue

Valparaiso University Law School's Business Law Society and Sports and Entertainment Law Association hosted the third annual Catwalk for the Cause Charity Fashion Show Friday night at the Harre Union Ballrooms at Valparaiso University. The event raised money and awareness for Lakeshore PAWS,…

Greg Geimer and his Buffalo Chicken Chili at the 2013 Lupus Foundation of Indiana 11th Annual Chili Cook-Off

Greg Geimer, 31, of Portage serves up his first place winning recipe for a buffalo chicken-inspired chili at Saturday's 11th Annual Lupus Foundation Chili Cook-Off at Merrillville High School.

12 recipes for chili, donations spice up lupus charity event

Editor's note: Times Columnist Philip Potempa served on the judging panel for Saturday's chili cook-off.

Full course fundraiser: NWI Meals on Wheels hosts 12th annual Dine with Chefs gala

HOBART | James Donovan, president of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, still finds the numbers associated with his nonprofit organization staggering.

OFFBEAT: Dillinger Family now using guns for good cause

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Wantful peaceBomb Coin Wrap Bracelet

Leading social gift retailer Wantful has the peaceBOMB "coin wrap" bracelet, which helps fund the clearance of bombs from farmland in Laos, and supports international efforts to ban cluster bombs, which injure and kill civilians long after war's end. It's $46 at wantful.com.

Porter County Wildlife Management Advisory Board President Bob Gregg and Melanie Derwinski

Melanie Derwinski, 10, of Crown Point, was honored by Porter County Wildlife Management Advisory Board President Bob Gregg and his group for her charity efforts for animals.