Since 1981, Action for Animals has been working to help stray and homeless cats through services such as microchipping and TNR. The group partners with PetSmart Charities to get cats into the adoption pool and into loving homes. On Saturday, April 22, 2023, six cats – Jewell, Gema, Mango, Nellie, Barbara and Shahra – were brought into PetSmart to start looking for a loving home. Volunteers John Shockley and Charlie Salaz prepared for the incoming felines by preparing food bowls, cleaning cages and getting litter boxes ready. Shockley stayed after preparations were made to speak with PetSmart patrons to try and advocate for the cats’ adoptions. Photos by Eleni Bow

With the weather being too wet to work on any outside job sites, the Habitat for Humanity crew stayed in their warehouse to put together sheds and other smaller projects on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Muncie, Ind. If you are interested in helping with any volunteer opportunities with Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity, visit their website munciehabitat.org, or email them any questions at volunteer@munciehabitat.org. Photos by Madelyn Guinn

Calico Corner Park is in the works of becoming a new community fruit orchard on the south side of Muncie. Located at the corner of E 16th St. and S Meeker Ave., by the Cardinal Greenway Trail, Calico Corner Park used to be a vacant lot of overgrown weeds and trash. It was around 2019 when Sarah and Dave Herbert started taking proper care of the property, and they put together a “Relaxation Station” there with a free book library for anyone that wanted to stop and rest there while walking by on the Cardinal Greenway Trail. It wasn’t until a year later that the Herbert’s got the option to buy the property, and they started Calico Corner Park. It may be a while until the food forest is ready for consumption, but the community is encouraged to come visit the park’s prayer nook and free book library until then. Photos by Madelyn Guinn.

In an attempt to find homes for five young dogs, the Medical Mutts Service Dogs team along with a group of volunteers hosted an adoption event on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Medical Mutts is located on Allisonville road in Indianapolis, Indiana where they train rescue dogs as service dogs. At the event, Scout, Gucci, Nelson, Rune, and Aggie, all awaited adoption. Photos by Savannah Baird

Muncie Animal Care and Services (MACS) was established in 2016 and is a proud no-kill animal shelter and animal control department of the City of Muncie, Indiana. They shelter over 50 cats and dogs, some in kennels and others roaming around in their designated rooms. The shelter is currently understaffed so prospective volunteers are encouraged to call (765)747-4851 for more information. Photos by Teagan O’Meara

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Muncie Ballet, in Muncie, Ind. we sat in on rehearsals for their upcoming production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Students ran through their production and practiced the numbers involved in the show. Students rehearsed in both flat ballet shoes and pointe shoes and with different props throughout the day. Photos by Grace Adcock, Jacy Bradley and Katelyn Howell

To celebrate Earth Day 2023, Red-Tail Land Conservatory hosted a tree planting event at Dutro-Ernst Woods. Red-Tail gained ownership of the property in 2017, and they have spent the last six years restoring the property to native species of plants. Today, White Oak, Shagbark, Hickory and Tulip trees were planted by volunteers to extend the wooded property edge, create more habitats for birds and local wildlife and to eventually act as a sound barrier from the train tracks that near the south side of the property. Photos by Jason Doudt and Jaden Whiteman. Video by Martin Smith-Rodden

In order to raise money for the Jay County Community Center, community members in Portland, Ind. gathered to participate in the Sprint to Spring 5K early Saturday morning. While over 150 people pre-registered for the event, less than 20 people showed up to run. The Sprint to Spring 5K was the first of seven total runs planned for Jay County this year. Runners began their race at the community center, traveled through the parks and neighborhoods of Portland and eventually finished where they started. Photos by Grace Duerksen, video by Rylan Capper and Martin Smith-Rodden

Since it opened its doors in 2013, the Midwest Pet Refuge has sheltered hundreds of animals and currently has more than 100 cats available for adoption at its Portland, Ind. location. You can donate on the shelter’s website or visit the attached bookstore, Cat Tales. Photos by Grace Duerksen, video by Rylan Capper.