FRANCISCAN EMPLOYEE HONORED AT SAFETY CONFERENCE
Franciscan Health Trauma Services Department Injury Prevention Coordinator Marissa Adcock was recently recognized for her role in helping keep kids safe at the Safe Kids Indiana Automotive Safety Program in Indianapolis.
Adcock, injury prevention coordinator for Franciscan Health’s Trauma Services Department, received the Child Safety Advocacy Award, a release said. She serves as co-leader for Safe Kids Northwest Indiana.
Adcock manages child safety seat inspection events and training across Northern Indiana, aimed at helping parents ensure their car seats are properly installed and that their children are safe. She expanded Franciscan’s child seat safety station from Crown Point to locations in Starke/Pulaski, LaPorte, Porter and Elkhart counties and supports child seat passenger training events in Michigan City and Hammond and with community partners.
UNITED WAY STARTS COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM
United Way Northwest Indiana has started its 2026 Community Impact Grant Program designed to improve the lives of working families across Lake, Porter, Jasper, Newton and Starke counties.
Grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 to nonprofit organizations in four focus areas: financial stability, youth opportunity, healthy community and community resiliency are planned, a release said. Special emphasis will be placed on initiatives that strengthen youth opportunity and financial security.
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations providing direct services within United Way Northwest Indiana’s service area. Applications will be accepted through July 31, with funding decisions anticipated by Sept. 30 and distributions beginning in October. Contact Grants2026@unitedwaynwi.org or visit www.unitedwaynwi.org/grants for more information.
LAKE COUNTY FAIR LOOKING FOR MAINTENANCE HELP
Lake County Fair is looking for people to join its maintenance crew.
A Facebook post said the positions are from mid-July through August and will entail assisting with setup, tear down and work during the fair, Aug. 7-16, at the fairgrounds in Crown Point, 889 S. Court St.
Find an application at www.lakecofaircp.com/employment/volunteer
According to the fair’s website, the fair was established in 1852 by the Lake County Agricultural Society and has grown from a small courthouse exhibition into one of Indiana’s largest county fairs.
FRANCISCAN, PARTNERS HOLD FREE SAFE KIDS DAY IN LAPORTE
Children and their families are invited to join in the fun July 10 at the free Safe Kids Day at the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, 1232 W. Indiana 2 in La Porte.
The interactive event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will include a variety of activities along with educational booths with information about keeping kids safe, healthy and happy, a release said. The event will feature a free meal for the whole family as well as music with a live DJ, safety demonstrations, fun door prizes, the chance to meet local heroes, and a few surprises.
Safe Kids Day is a project of Safe Kids Northwest Indiana, the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Trauma Services, and Geminus Regional Care Group.
ELECTION OFFICE EMPLOYEES ADD CERTIFICATES
The Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Campaign Finance Officer Kelley DePirro and Assistant Voter Registration Supervisor Lori O’Dea recently graduated from Indiana’s Certificate in Election Administration, Technology and Security program, according to a release.
Designed to strengthen election integrity and foster leadership, the year-long program provides education on election administration, including election law, cybersecurity, information technology and operational best practices, the release said.
This year, DePirro also received national recognition with an honorable mention for her project, “Proactive Absentee Ballot Error Prevention Initiative,” in the 2025 Clearinghouse Awards. Administered by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the annual awards celebrate innovative efforts from state and local election offices and recognize best practices in election administration, a release said.
