Muncie Mission’s goal is to “restore hope & dignity to people in crisis” with the help of a strong staff and volunteers. They partnered with Beyond I Can to give them an opportunity to volunteer every Wednesday at their Attic Window location. They partnered with “Write for Change,” a Ball State immersive learning program where, “The pilot courses were offered in partnership with the Muncie Mission, Beyond I Can and the YWCA of Delaware County.” The event held on April 3, 2024 was a paired event allowing Muncie Mission to display some of their items in a pop-up thrift store on Ball State University’s campus. Photos by Meghan Sawitzke

The Duck Races are an event put together by Ball State University’s Alumni Foundation for One Ball State Day. OBSD is a huge day of fundraising to increase funding for events and programs on campus. During these races, volunteers race inflatable ducks and use oars to cross the pool. Volunteers are based on nominations, in addition to the volunteers who stand on the sidelines to use water guns to knock opponents off their ducks. Photos by Mya Cataline, Samantha Lyon and Emma Gsell

Kappa Delta sorority hosted a roller skating philanthropy event called “Shamrock N’ Roll” April 2, 2024 at Gibson Arena. All proceeds went to Prevent Child Abuse America – money was donated through purchasing tickets, concessions, and individual donations. Photos by Meghan Sawitzke and Mya Cataline

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