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.

On Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and Environmental Education Center, an Earth Day event was held with a variety of activities. The event started at 10 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m. The program started out with a mushroom education table, poetry table, battery recycling information, build your own spinach waffles table, and plant your own seed table. Guests could also go into the greenhouse and check out the plants. At 1 p.m. John Taylor took guests on a wildflower nature walk and explained the different wildflowers around Christy Woods.  Photos by Nathan Abbott and Katie Catterall. Video by Nathan Abbott

The Attic Window Thrift Store is owned and operated by the Muncie Mission. Its distribution center is in Muncie, Indiana on the corner of West Memorial Drive and South Liberty Street. The Mission offers an array of rehabilitation services to anyone who needs them and is funded through donations and the Attic Window Thrift Store. Photos by Mia Showalter and Victoria Johnson

Located in Portland, Indiana, the Midwest Pet Refuge shelters more than 100 pets that are available for adoption. Most of the animals there were rescued as strays, and await their forever home. In addition to providing shelter and food to 135 animals, the refuge also features a bookstore and shop to attract visitors. Video by Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden

Located in Portland, Indiana, the Midwest Pet Refuge shelters more than 100 pets that are available for adoption. Most of the animals there were rescued as strays, and await their forever home. In addition to providing shelter and food to 135 animals, the refuge also features a bookstore and shop to attract visitors. Photos by Grace Duerksen and Rylan Capper

Ashtynn Stultz looks at cats with his mother, Kyrstin April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. In addition to providing shelter and food to 135 animals, the refuge also features a bookstore and shop to attract visitors. Rylan Capper

A cat sits perched among stacks of books, waiting for attention from the next visitor April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge. The refuge was founded in 2013 and moved into its current building, a former chuch, in 2021. Rylan Capper

An orange tabby cat sits above a sunny window at the Midwest Pet Refuge April 9. The group holds over 100 cats in the building, which was formerly a church and day-care center.

Mary Adair cleans a litter box April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. Adair volunteers at the refuge every Saturday. Rylan Capper

Buckets of cat litter sit stacked against a wall April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. Rylan Capper

Peeking out from behind his own body, an orange tabby cat climbs on top of a cage that holds several other cats April 9. All cats from the Midwest Pet Refuge center are adoptable and most of them used to be strays.

A cat looks on as Tara Drumm scoops a litter box at Midwest Pet Refuge April 9, 2022 in Portland, Ind. Drumm owns and operates the refuge with entirely volunteer help. Rylan Capper

Sticking her paw out in hopes of catching a passerby’s eye is a young cat at the Midwest Pet Refuge April 9. While most of the cats in the building roam freely in different rooms, some cats are held in quarantine due to parasites such as ringworm.

An older feline resident of the Midwest Pet Refuge Center sits atop stacked chairs in the supplies room April 9. Attached to the refuge is a bookstore called Cat Tales where some of the group’s cats roam in their free time.

Mary Adair refills a litterbox at Midwest Pet Refuge April 9, 2022 in Portland, Ind. Volunteer staff clean litterboxes and replace food and water every day at the refuge. Rylan Capper

Tara Drumm refills food bowls April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. The refuge invites visitors in with a bookstore and shop complete with roaming cats. Rylan Capper

Tara Drumm pets a cat as she refills food and water bowls April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. The refuge adopts out about 25 animals every month. Rylan Capper

Molly Stults request the attention of a black cat at Midwest Pet Refuge April 9, 2022 in Portland, Ind. The refuge adopted out 250 cats in 2021. Rylan Capper

Habitat for Humanity utilizes the help of two Ball State groups in order to do some demolition work to a house that has yet to become a home. The house, which was originally built in the 1920s, requires significant remodeling to be up to standard with the modern era. Photos by Nathan Abbott and Madison Del Valle

The home on 1403 West 10th Street in Muncie Indiana awaits the team behind Habitat for Humanity to arrive in full on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Barb Arthur prepares the Ball state student volunteers for what will be expected of them for the day in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Ball State student, Lizzie Amendola, demolishing a whole wall for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

A close up of Ball State student, Lizzie Amendola, prying off the planks on the demolished wall for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State student,Jaylan Gordan-White, hammering out planks in the upstairs bedroom of the home for Habitat for Humaity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State student, Ethan Ayres, carrying out a bucket of rubble and debri from the upstairs demolished walls for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State student, Katelin Holaday, sweets up the debris from the demolished walls for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State student (anonymous) carrying up 5 gallon buckets to the second level of the house for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State students, Charlie Dice and Jack Pedersen, eat lunch after a productive morning of tearing down walls for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ethan Ayres poses for a portrait after a hard and filthy day’s work at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022.

members of Ball State’s Alpha Tau Omega fraternity demolish the second floor ceiling of the future Habitat home in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Kylie Norton from Ball State’s Epsilon Sigma Alpha Philanthropic pries out exposed nails from wooden beams at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Ball State student, Alli McCrady sledgehammering a wall under the staircase for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ethan Ayres helps a fellow ATO to dismantle one of the chimneys at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

A member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha cleans up debris near the end of the day in a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Last minute demolition occurs on the stairs as the Habitat team wraps up for the end of the day at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9,2022. (Nathan Abbott)

A member of Ball State’s Alpha Tau Omega fraternity disposes of waste material at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Ball State student, Ethan Ayres, spends his morning demolishing the walls of a house for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday April 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Photos being taken of the group of Ball State University students who volunteered to demolish a home for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday April 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse is located on the edge of Ball State’s campus and is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. There are many events that typically happen at the greenhouse. Photos by Anna Sego and Grace Duerksen

A student worker for the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Cass, talks to visitors about the species of frog that lives in the greenhouse April 9. The campus greenhouse also has aquatic turtles, koi fish and moth larvae.

The leaf of a plant with a white spiral in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A heart-shaped flower in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

John and Donna Baggio, parents of a Ball State student, attempt to name the many orchid species at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse April 9. The couple came all the way from Tinley Park, Illinois.

A plant inside the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A walkway with plants hanging on the side of the walls in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A volunteer cleans an Orchid with a q-tip at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A small turtle is perched on a rock looking into the distance in the pond at Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A clay book surrounded by plants on a table in the back of the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

Many small yellow flowers hang down from a hanging pottter in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A moss covered hanging basket hangs along the side of the windows in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A white and purple-spotted Orchid at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

Erica Forstater, employee at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, discusses different species of orchids with visitors Donna and John Baggio April 9. The greenhouse offered self-guided tours, puzzles and animal-themed games for their event.

An orange Lily in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

Muncie Animal Care and Services provides a safe place for homeless cats and dogs. MACS is a No-Kill shelter located on W Riggins Rd., in Muncie, Indiana. Photos by Kyle Atkisson and Victoria Johnson

Mason Campbell lets Parker outside to go for a walk and go to the bathroom in front of the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. Parker is very friendly and has been at thir for a few weeks now. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Linguine sits in her play place at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Smokey Jane a 5 month old cat at the Humane Society sits down on a play table in the Kitty City in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

The Kitty City at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. Customers can sit in the Kitty City with all the cats and any other cat they want to play with outside of their cage. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Mason Campbell gets Remi out of his cage to go meet a couple willing to adopt at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. Remi is 10 months old and has been at the Humane Society most of his life. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Chad and Carla Kingsley start their sit down with Remi at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th,2022. Remi is 10 months old and was very excited to see Chad and Carla. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

David Franklin pets Angela at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. David has worked for the Humane Society for a few years now, and Angela is 3 years old and has become very friendly throughout her time their. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Kitten stretches after waking up from a nap to greet visitors at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 in Muncie, Indiana. Only three adoptable kittens share this playroom.

Tabby cat, Lilo, lounges in a cat tree at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. Lilo is a young, medium-sized, female cat.

Ponyo, a young, female cat, looks at the camera for attention at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022.

Sick animals are taken to the clinic space for recovery and rehibilitaion at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. This space is also used to spay and neuter cats and dogs before they are placed up for adoption.

Four cats relax in a cat tree in the Cat “city” at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022.

Quarantined canine peaks his head out to see the staff and visitors on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana. Dogs that require quarantine and isolation due to illness or behavioral issues are assigned their own rooms until they can rejoin their canine friends and get put up adoption.

Labrador Retriever and Dachshund mix, Buster, cuddles with Muncie Animal Care and Services assistant director, Kathryn Wolfe before taking a group photograph with other employees on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 in Muncie, Indiana.

Male Terrier Mix, Patrick, excitedly greets staff members and visitors before going outside on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana. Patrick has to be leashed and supervised when taken to the bathroom because he has a history of jumping fences.

Two cats play fight together while Delaware County residents look to adopt at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 in Muncie, Indiana.

A nursing mother cat cuddles with her two five week old kittens at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. Pregnant and nursing mothers and kittens are kept separate from the rest of the felines until the kittens are able to be away from their mothers and all be place up for adoption.