Stuffed animals donated for pediatric patients
Pediatric patients in Franciscan Health emergency rooms and pediatric inpatient units in Crown Point, Indianapolis and Lafayette will now have stuffed animals to help make their hospital experience a little more comfortable, thanks to a donation by The Eva Martin Project, a release said.
Representatives from The Eva Martin Project donated more than 1,500 new stuffed animals to the nonprofit Catholic healthcare system during a recent drop-off at Franciscan Health Crown Point. Each item has a tag with the organization’s logo and a QR code with a personal message on the back.
The nonprofit organization — headquartered in Baroda, Mich. — provides the items to hospitals serving children as a way to honor the memory of Eva Martin, who died at the age of 3 after a swimming pool accident, the release said.
Casino donates $125K to Community HealthNet
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is donating $125,000 to Community HealthNet to help support three separate initiatives: Breast Cancer Awareness, Centering Pregnancy and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner initiatives, according to a release.
CHN’s Breast Cancer Awareness program will receive $25,000, while the Centering Pregnancy initiative and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program will each receive $50,000, the release said.
Community HealthNet has nine locations in Lake County.
Porter County seeks applicants for boards
The Porter County Council is looking for interested persons for three boards, a release said.
The positions, which the release said would be filled in March, each include a one-year term.
Boards include the Ambulance Service Committee Board, Porter Economic Development Commission and the Valparaiso Economic Development Commission. No political affiliation is necessary for any of the positions.
Individuals interested in being considered for a board position should visit the Porter County Council office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 207, Valparaiso, to obtain an application or visit the website at www.portercountyin.gov under the County Council tab.
The applications must be received no later than March 13 and the final decision will be made at a public meeting in March.
Video lessons for community programs available
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has announced the release of the full first season of its Spark Series, a free, classroom-ready video learning library designed to introduce students to entrepreneurship, innovation and real-world problem-solving through the voices of local entrepreneurs and changemakers.
Now available in its entirety at pnw.edu/society-of-innovators/spark, the Spark Series features 11 short, documentary-style video interviews paired with discussion guides, classroom activities and teacher reference materials, a release said. The series is designed for high school classrooms, after-school programs and community-based learning environments focused on entrepreneurship and innovation-related skills.
Each Spark Series episode runs approximately 12 to 15 minutes, the release said.
Merrillville leaders address conference
Merrillville Community School Corp. recently stepped onto the national stage at the AASA National Conference on Education 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a release.
The district presented “Every Student, Every Day, Whatever It Takes: Building a Student-Centered MITSS Framework,” showcasing the distinct’s commitment to excellence, the release said, highlighting the journey in designing and implementing a custom-built, kindergarten through 12th-grade multi-tiered system of supports..
Presenters from the school district included Superintendent Dexter Suggs and instructional coaches Erica Copeland and Patrice Weil.
Lake health department honored by state
The Lake County Health Department has received a Public Health Transformation award for transformative improvement in public health service delivery from State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver, according to a release.
The award was presented during Public Health Day at the Statehouse on Feb. 12, the release said.
“This recognition reflects the vision, dedication, and tireless effort of our entire Lake County Health Department team and the strong partnerships we have built throughout our community,” Lake County Health Officer Dr. Chandana Vavilala said.
For more information, visit the Lake County Health Department at lakecountyin.gov/departments/health.
Franciscan, LaPorte Y, offering free cooking class
Franciscan Health is teaming up with the LaPorte Branch of the LaPorte County Family YMCA to offer a free Cooking Matters class.
The class will highlight healthy food swaps, tips for budget-friendly grocery shopping, proper cooking techniques, general nutrition tips and more, a release said.
The class is scheduled to take place from 5-6:30 p.m. March 12 at the LaPorte Branch of the LaPorte County Family YMCA, 901 Michigan Ave. in LaPorte.
Registration is required by March 5. To register, contact Franciscan Health Community Health Specialist Selena Tinoco at Selena.Tinoco@FranciscanAlliance.org or call 219-221-4153.