As the year draws to a close, Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL) is once again inviting the community to come together in the spirit of generosity through its annual Season of Giving, running Dec. 1 through Jan. 11.
The HEPL staff & HSE externs sure make a great team! (Photo provided by Hamilton East Public Library)
This year’s initiative places a renewed emphasis on donation drives supporting local residents in need – while also highlighting a valuable partnership with Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools through a student externship program.
Strengthening community support through donation drives
HEPL will partner with the Noblesville Township Trustee’s Office, the Delaware Township Trustee’s Office, Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank, and HamCo Love to provide support to individuals and families across Hamilton County. Donation collection sites will be at both the Noblesville Library and Fishers Library throughout the campaign. This year’s donation drive includes:
Winter Warmth Drive
New socks, winter hats, and mittens/gloves (all sizes) are needed to help keep community members warm this season.
- Donations made at the Fishers Library will support the Delaware Township Trustee’s Office.
- Donations made at the Noblesville Library will support the Noblesville Township Trustee’s Office.
Non-Perishable Food Drive
In partnership with the Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank, HEPL is collecting shelf-stable and non-perishable food items to support families facing food insecurity. Every can, box, and bag directly helps local neighbors in need.
Period Care Product Drive
HEPL is also teaming up with HamCo Love, a local nonprofit working to end period poverty in Hamilton County. Community members can donate items from HamCo Love’s Target, Amazon, or Walmart wish lists, or contribute directly via Venmo (@HamCoLove).
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A new layer of impact: Student Externship Collaboration
Adding a meaningful layer to this year’s campaign, HEPL has partnered with HSE Schools’ Public Relations class through an externship program designed to give students real-world communications experience. Over the fall semester, three HSE High School students worked alongside HEPL’s Marketing and Communications team to help shape the storytelling and outreach efforts behind the Season of Giving.
HSE externs filming at the Delaware Township Food Pantry. (Photo provided by Hamilton East Public Library)
Their work included writing blog posts, assisting with campaign messaging, design, and photography, and producing social media reels to help drive community awareness and increase donations.
“This semester, we partnered with Hamilton East Public Library as part of our externship class,” said HSE senior and Externship Team Lead Claire Robertson. “Our goal was to increase donations by 5 percent (over last year) in the library’s Season of Giving campaign through blogs, social media, and more. We’re so thankful to our adviser, Bill DeLisle, and HEPL’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Kelsey Sweet, for giving us this opportunity. We hope the products we created will spread joy and love throughout the community during this Season of Giving.”
HSE externs review footage. (Photo provided by Hamilton East Public Library)
Season of Giving programs
In addition to donation opportunities, the Season of Giving features a wide lineup of creative, family-friendly, and community-focused programs. Highlights include:
- Bling-a-Book (adults & teens) – Nov. 29 at Noblesville; Dec. 13 at Fishers
- Teen Gourmet: Brownies in a Jar (grades 6-12) – Dec. 2 at Noblesville; Dec. 6 at Fishers
- Stitch-a-Thon (adults) – Dec. 6 at Noblesville
- Family Portrait Day – Dec. 6 at Noblesville
- Riso Holiday Cards (ages 16 and up) – Dec. 8 at the Ignite Studio at the Fishers Library
- Season of Giving Blood Drive – Dec. 26 at Noblesville
- Heart Connectors (families) – Jan. 8 at Fishers
Additional drop-in activities, craft programs, and events will take place across all HEPL locations. A full list of programs and registration information can be found on HEPL’s online events calendar at hepl.libnet.info/events.
For more information about the Season of Giving initiative, donation guidelines, or event details, please visit hamiltoneastpl.org.
