Gary casino donates $35K Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s President and CEO Matt Schuffert recently presented an oversized check for $35,000 to Andrea Sherwin, President and CEO, Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana, according to a release. Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana is a non-profit organization dedicated to overall wellness through personal and family support, while remaining committed to its core principle of advocating on behalf of those experiencing emotional challenges, the release said. Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana provides programs for adults living with mental illness or challenges, work with area employers to ensure mentally healthy work environments and serve and advocate for people of all ages living with mental illness, the release said. From left, Michael Gaudreau, Vice President of Casino Operations, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana; Gayl Baker, Vice President of Finance, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana; Carol Tan-Helton, Vice President Legal & General Counsel, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana; Andrea Sherwin, President and CEO Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana; Matt Schuffert, President, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana; Christy Rodriguez, Regional Vice President of Compliance, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana; and Patrick Brown, Vice President of Food & Beverage, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, were on hand for a ceremonial check passing recently. (Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana) First Financial announces $50K in grants First Financial Bank and the First Financial Foundation have awarded a total of $50,000 in grants to seven organizations in Northwest Indiana, according to a release. Throughout its four-state footprint of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, First Financial awarded a total of $510,000, matching last year’s result as the largest grant campaign to date. In Northwest Indiana, Sojourner Truth House in Gary is among this year’s recipients, the release said. Additional recipients in the area include Computer Skills and Training Center and Gary Community Partnership Corp. in Gary; and The Center of Workforce Innovations and United Way of Northwest Indiana, both in Valparaiso. First Financial’s commitment to the communities it serves extends beyond the annual grant campaign. Earlier this year, First Financial announced a new Community Benefits Agreement for 2024-2028, committing to $2.4 billion in lending and investments to low- and moderate-income clients and census tracts, the release said. Courtney Kvachkoff was recently named Controller of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, where she will be responsible for overseeing RDA finances. Kvachkoff, a Crown Point resident, comes to the RDA from Indianapolis-based Onebridge, where she served as staff accountant. (Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana) RDA names two new leadership positions The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority recently added Controller Courtney Kvachkoff and Director of Economic Development AJ Bytnar to staff, according to a release. As Director of Economic Development, Bytnar will be responsible for guiding the Transit Development Districts (TDDs), while as controller, Kvachkoff will be responsible for overseeing RDA finances, the release said. Bytnar brings more than 15 years of experience in economic development, urban planning, zoning and redevelopment, including as Executive Director of Redevelopment for the City of Gary, the release said. Kvachkoff, a Crown Point resident, comes to the RDA from Indianapolis-based Onebridge, where she served as staff accountant, the release said. AJ Bytnar was recently named Director of Economic Development for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, where he will be responsible for guiding the Transit Development Districts (TDDs). He brings more than 15 years of experience in economic development, urban planning, zoning and redevelopment, including as Executive Director of Redevelopment for the City of Gary. (Photo courtesy of Regional Development Authority) Companies raise $40K for area nonprofits at golf outing The Hard Hat Charity Golf Outing, hosted by the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable (NWIBRT), attracted more than 300 golfers from more than 70 Northwest Indiana companies and raised $40,000 in charitable contributions, according to a release. Four area nonprofits — Meals on Wheels, Tradewinds, Goodwill, and Pink Ribbon Society — each received a $10,000 donation for their organization. The funds will be used for programming provided by the nonprofits for families and individuals throughout the region. “In addition, the Lilly Endowment matched our $10,000 donation to Tradewinds, honoring the organization’s dedication to the community,” said Tom Gozdecki, co-chair of the 2024 NWIBRT Hard Hat Golf Committee. Organized by Diversified Marketing Strategies in Crown Point, the 2025 event has been scheduled for Sept. 19 at the White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point. NIPSCO announces public safety education grants Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) has announced that 16 organizations will be able to further their public safety initiatives as a result of support from the 2024 NIPSCO Public Safety Education and Training Action Grant program, according to a release. The 2024 program recipients received grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 each, the release said. The recipients included: American National Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club of Greater NWI,  Cedar Lake Fire Department, City of East Chicago Fire Department,  Crown Point Police Department,  Dyer Firefighters Association,  Franciscan Alliance Foundation,  Lake County Homeland Security/EMA,  Lutheran Social Services of Indiana and the MAAC Foundation. For more information about the 2024 Public Education and Safety Grant and to see this year’s recipients, visit NIPSCO.com/SafetyGrant.