Volunteer surprised with car donation
Community volunteer and “Goody Lady” Kathy Conn recently received a special surprise from NeighborLink Porter County at the Porter County Aging and Community Services offices.
“A couple weeks ago, someone approached me about donating a car,” said Judy Alders, executive director of NeighborLink Porter County. “Our organization and volunteers are all about helping people. When the car was donated to us, it was suggested that Kathy would be the ideal candidate because of the work that she does on her own for the community.
“She needs reliable transportation to be able to help feed Porter County families, so it was an easy decision to make.”
Since 2013, Conn has been bringing bread, cakes, cookies, pies and more to area nonprofits for anyone in the community to pick up and enjoy.
She has utilized her personal vehicle to help connect those in need to food from Strack & Van Til by picking up the day-old items and delivering them all over the region from the PCACS offices in Valparaiso to Sand Castle Shelter in Michigan City.
“It’s a form of therapy to me. I am going to do this until I can’t anymore,” Conn said about her community work in 2019.
The anonymous donor paid it forward with the gift of the 2013 MDX Acura and is also assisting with six months of Conn’s car insurance.
“I don’t know what to say — I am in shock,” Conn said. “Someone is going to have to show me how to use it as I have been driving an old clunker.”
“Kathy has been making a difference in our community for years,” said PCACS Executive Director Bruce Lindner. “What a heartwarming opportunity to give back to someone who gives so much.”
NeighborLink Porter County has been connecting volunteers to families in need since 2008. Projects range from basic home maintenance and repairs to shoveling snow and mowing grass. Volunteers can sign up at www.NeighborLinkPC.org to help.
“There are currently 22 families in Porter County asking for help with various projects around their homes,” Alders said. “Since NeighborLink was started, over 800 families have been helped right here in Porter County.”
PCACS’ mission is to extend a helping hand to seniors, those with disabilities and low-income residents by providing services to improve their quality of life, including transportation, energy and emergency assistance, Section 8 and ramp programs.
For more information, go to www.portercountyacs.org.