Generosity flowed at this quarter’s meeting of the Fishers Century Club when the winning organization, Not Today, asked that the two other presenting charities also receive funds, Indy Honor Flight and Indy Vet House. (Photo provided)
Group focused on protecting children from online predators
The Fishers Century Club held its quarterly crowd-giving meeting on Tuesday, March 10, where members heard presentations from three impactful charitable initiatives serving veterans and protecting youth.
Presentations included Indy Honor Flight, presented by Brian Wright, which provides veterans with trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. Members also heard from Jared Hoss about Indy Vet House, a nonprofit that offers lodging and support for veterans traveling to Indianapolis for medical care at the VA.
The evening’s winning presentation came from Howard Burd, representing a new initiative being implemented by the Fishers Kiwanis Club called “Not Today.”
The initiative focuses on raising awareness among youth about the growing threat of online predators. Inspired by tragic cases that have impacted communities across the country, including a recent incident in our community, “Not Today” aims to reach young people where they spend a lot of time: online. Through targeted marketing, produced content, digital outreach, and partnerships with micro-influencers, the program will work to educate youth about recognizing dangerous online behavior and encourage them to alert trusted adults or authorities when concerns arise.
The message resonated strongly with Fishers Century Club members, many of whom are parents and grandparents and recognized the importance of helping protect children in an increasingly digital world.
After the winner was announced, in a moment that reflected the spirit of the group’s mission, the “Not Today” initiative asked that $500 of the evening’s funds be shared with each of the other presenting charities, Indy Honor Flight and Indy Vet House.
Shortly after that announcement, Ned Campbell, a new member attending his first Century Club meeting, spoke up and offered to donate $1,000 to replenish the funds being shared, ensuring the winning organization still received its full support.
Burd expressed appreciation for the group’s support.
“We are thankful for the Century Club’s donation toward this project,” Burd said. “We’ve already met with local officials and public safety leaders who strongly support what we’re doing and have highlighted the need for it. These funds will allow us to market directly to young people and help prevent tragic situations before they happen.”
The Fishers Century Club is a men’s crowd-giving organization that meets quarterly to hear presentations from three charities before voting to select a winning cause. All donations go directly to the selected nonprofit.
The next Fishers Century Club meeting will celebrate the club’s fifth anniversary, set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23. Community members interested in networking and supporting local charities are encouraged to attend.
For more information and a list of previous winners, please visit FishersCenturyClub.com or visit Facebook.com/fisherscenturyclub. Those who wish to participate in the group who are unable to attend in person can visit their online Grapevine site at tinyurl.com/OnlineGivingFCC.
About Fishers Century Club
The Fishers Century Club, founded in 2021, is a group of individuals committed to making a positive impact on the local community. Through collective giving and active participation, the club aims to support and uplift deserving charities, ultimately contributing to the betterment of Fishers and the local community. The Club has donated over $70,000 since its inception.
