Published: October 30, 2009 03:14 pm      

Big GREEN Give returns for the holiday season

DANVILLE — This holiday season, Sheldon B. Green is giving back to the community.

The mascot for the Hendricks County Solid Waste Management District symbolizes sustainable use of resources such as recycling and waste reduction. One of SWMD’s biggest efforts in this realm is the Big GREEN Give from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex, 1900 E. Main St., Danville.

The event features numerous area non-profits and philanthropic organizations. The premise of the Big GREEN Give is for attendees to buy gifts in the form of donations for these groups, in lieu of the season’s traditional gift-giving.

One of the participating organizations is Meals on Wheels. Hendricks Regional Health houses a branch of the non-profit, which promotes health, independence, and eases loneliness for homebound seniors in the community. Volunteers deliver meals to residents who have trouble cooking for themselves, be it age or disability.

Registered dietitians at HRH prepare each meal based on recommendations from each client’s physician. Each meal contains one-third of the daily minimum nutritional requirements for an adult. The food is delivered by volunteers as close to noon as possible Monday through Friday, except on holidays.

Meals on Wheels does charge a fee to cover cost of the food and its preparation. Prices are $21.25 per week for one hot meal delivered Monday through Friday or $37.50 for two meals (one hot, one cold). Applications can be obtained by calling 745-3469. A physician’s diet prescription is required and may be faxed to 718-4060.

Meals on Wheels also relies on volunteers and monetary donations. For more information on how to support the program, call 745-3469 or e-mail to hrhmow@hendricks.org.

Big GREEN Give visitors can give $25 for one hot meal for one person for a week. A $50 donation buys trays, containers, and other supplies to package meals. A $95 donation buys a hot meal for one person for a month.

Those who make monetary donations are given a recycled content card to in turn give to the gift recipient.

To show their appreciation for Meals on Wheels’ participation in the Big GREEN Give, Sheldon B. Green recently visited with personnel and volunteers in the kitchen at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville and helped package and carry meals for delivery.

Other organizations participating in the Big GREEN Give include the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County, Hendricks County Healthy Families, and Mental Health of America of Hendricks County.

In addition to the gift-giving component, the Big GREEN Give also will feature earth-friendly gift wrapping and decoration workshops, music by area school choirs, snacks, and information about getting more out of the holidays by simplifying.

For more information on the Big GREEN Give, visit the website at www.hendrickssolidwaste.com or call 745-9130.



wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com