The St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home has been helping East Chicago’s neediest children for 102 years. Here, children in crisis can receive love, shelter, food, medical care and an education until the time is right for them to be placed with a family. The Sisters who run the Carmelite Home work around the clock for their children, however, sometimes hard work and love must be supplemented by much needed resources.
With up to 70 children ranging in age from birth to 18 years living in the home at a time, money, resources and supplies can be tight. This is where the help of The Guild of the St. Joseph’s Home has been invaluable.
The Guild has been fundraising and volunteering on behalf of the Carmelite Home for over 40 years. Not only do members of The Guild raise money for the home but they also volunteer their time to take care of and play with the children.
The Guild’s most notable event is coming up in just a few short weeks. The annual dinner and shopping event will be held on the evening of September 21 at Villa Cesare in Schererville.
The event consists of two hours of boutique shopping and wine tasting from sponsoring vendors, followed by an elegant dinner and raffle. However, the most memorable part of the fundraiser each year is the evidence of the unique theme in decorations and costumes. Guild members make their own décor by hand and often select or make their outfits according to the theme.
“We have some very gifted ladies in The Guild who have an amazing vision,” said The Guild’s vice president Sara Augustine.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Through the Looking Glass’ so attendees can expect to see Mad Hatters, Cheshire Cats and tea party fare in abundance.
All funds raised from ticket sales, sponsorships, raffles and donations at the event goes directly to helping the children of the Carmelite Home. Last year, The Guild presented the Carmelite Home with a check of $33,000. In addition to this, The Guild was able to buy birthday and Christmas gifts for each child and hold various parties and events for the children throughout the year.
One of the kids’ favorite parties given by The Guild is the bowling/Christmas party. All of the children, Sisters and members of The Guild get together for bowling. While at the bowling alley, the children get to visit with Santa Claus and open Christmas gifts.
“The kids are running around, eating pizza, bowling, having fun,” recounts Sara. “It’s just heartwarming to be able to make a difference for these kids.”
Seven hundred and twenty tickets for the ‘Through the Looking Glass’ fundraiser went on sale in May and were completely sold out by July. However, monetary donations and supplies are always accepted by the Carmelite Home or The Guild. Donations can be sent to:
Carmelite Home
4840 Grasselli Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
To learn more about the Carmelite Home and other organizations for East Chicago youth, visit foundationsec.org.
