Organization raises $15k for families
A total of 100 families battling food insecurity will get a boost this holiday season thanks to nearly $15,000 donated by the Friends of St. Clare, according to a release.
The organization raised the funds through donations from local business leaders to provide 100 $150 Strack & Van Til gift cards to
individuals served by the Franciscan Health Fresh Start Market and Prenatal Assistance Program at 1121 S. Indiana Ave., Crown Point.
The Friends of St. Clare is a group of five anonymous organizers, who have worked together to support the Franciscan Health Foundation’s Food Insecurity Program, the release said. The effort began in 2009 with one individual donating six frozen turkeys. Now, a group of five works to solicit local business leaders to support their efforts at the holidays, increasing their donation by the thousands year after year, the release said.
For more information about the Fresh Start Market and other food insecurity programs, including information on receiving assistance, contact the Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement office at 219-407-6948.
Porter County announces open 2025 board slots
The Porter County Council has a number of opportunities for county residents to get involved, according to a release. Various county commission openings include:
Porter County Redevelopment Commission, 1-year term; Alcoholic Beverage Commission,1-year term; Board of Zoning Appeals, 4-year term; Porter County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (PTABOA), 1-year term; Chesterton EDC, 1-year term; Portage EDC, 4-year term; Porter EDC, 1-year term; Valparaiso EDC, 1-year term; and Town of Hebron EDC, 1-year term.
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 the website at www.porterco.org under the County Council tab. Application deadline is Dec. 31 and the final decision will be made in January, the release said.
Physician joins Franciscan in Dyer
Dr. Jasmine Vayalil is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer, according to a release.
Vayalil attended medical school at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois, and
completed her residency in family medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette.
She is accepting both virtual and in-person visits at Franciscan Physician Network in Dyer, 919 Main St. Call 219-934-2492.
Franciscan pediatrician relocating to Crown Point
Dr. Radhika Chillarige, a pediatrician, is now seeing patients in Crown Point.
Chillarige relocated Dec. 2 to Franciscan Physician Network Crown Point Pediatric Health Center, 1141 S. Indiana Ave. from her previous office location in St. John, according to a release. Existing appointments will automatically be moved to the new location to ensure a seamless transition and continuous care for patients, the release said.
Chillarige received her training from Kaktiya Medical College in Warangal, India. She completed her residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and completed her fellowship training in neonatology at University of Connecticut in Farmington, Connecticut. Call 219-662-0700.
Concession stand opportunities announced at Indiana Dunes
The application period for two snack bar services has been announced for Indiana Dunes National Park, according to a release.
The concession stands are positioned at two of the park’s most frequented locations, West Beach and Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. The Park is seeking applications to compete for food, beverage, and retail sales CUAs at either one or both the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion and West Beach Bath House. Separate applications must be submitted for each location.
There is a $350 nonrefundable fee to process the application(s) and a secondary fee of $400 paid by check made payable to the National Park Service and included in the narrative portion of the application package, a release said. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 9.
The first part of the Competitive CUA Application Package must be completed online in the CUA Portal at http://cua.nps.gov. The narrative portion of the application and the $400 check, made payable to the National Park Service, should be sent to: National Park Service, Interior Regions 3,4, 5 Office, Attn: Kelly Kager, Commercial Services Management Specialist, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, N.E. 68102. Send questions by Dec. 27 to kelly_kager@nps.gov
