Club makes holiday donation to Lydia’s House The NWI Bid Whist Club recently made a special presentation to representatives from Lydia’s House, an emergency women’s shelter located in Gary, according to a release. The card club members donated gifts and supplies to women who are currently homeless during a holiday gathering at Gleason Golf Course Clubhouse. Lydia’s House is under the auspices of the Rebuilding the Breach Ministries Inc. and provides emergency housing and spiritual guidance for homeless women for up to 90 days, the release said. They also partner with Sojourner Truth House to provide services and programs as clients transition out of homelessness. The NWI Bid Whist Club was created to bring bid whist players together to enjoy the game and fellowship in safe places. They meet on the third Saturday at the Gleason Clubhouse and are looking for new members. For more information, contact Shanise Kemp at 219-789-3654. Committee members of the NWI Bid Whist Club gathered recently to present gifts to Lydia’s House.Club members on hand included, from left, Ron Coe, Mary Waiters (“Mary from Gary”), Veronica McGill, Patsy Allen, Tracy Ward, Shanise Kemp, Craig Kemp and Dennis Vanardo. (Photo courtesy of CWhitt) Franciscan ExpressCare sites expand hours Franciscan ExpressCare locations in Hobart and Portage now have expanded in-person hours and virtual visits for patients with non-life-threatening illnesses and conditions seeking urgent care, according to a release. Both locations are now open for walk-in visits from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with virtual visits available by appointment on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the release said. The Portage Franciscan ExpressCare is located at 3283 Willowcreek Road and can be reached by phone at 219-764-8439 and the Hobart Franciscan ExpressCare is located at 101 W. 61st. Ave. and can be reached by phone at 219-945-9530. Virtual visit appointments can be made online at www.FranciscanExpressCare.org. Hobart Chamber networking event Jan. 14 The Hobart Chamber of Commerce will host its first breakfast networking event of 2025 from 8:30-10 a.m. Jan. 14 at the Hobart Chamber Office, 1001 Lillian Stt in Hobart, according to a release. Susan Thompson, the group’s new executive director, is expected to attend as well as the 2025 board of directors. A light breakfast, coffee and juice while networking with fellow members and local business professionals is planned. The Chamber is also looking for sponsors for the event, a release said. Sponsors are invited to give a brief presentation. For information, email [email protected]. NIPSCO names $100K ‘Bridging’ grant recipients Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC, in partnership with its parent company’s NiSource Charitable Foundation, has announced the winners of its inaugural Bridging Our Energy Grant, according to its website. Purdue University Northwest and Boys & Girls Club of Northern Indiana Corridor have each been awarded $100,000 each for strategic initiatives centered on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and economic inclusion programs, the website said. The initiative received 46 applications from organizations across NIPSCO’s northern Indiana service area. Eligible organizations had to be a 501(c)3 as determined by the Internal Revenue Service with a DEI and/or economic inclusion program focus as well as a direct impact in NIPSCO’s service area, the release said. Purdue University Northwest will launch a diversity outreach and engagement program for its Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering while the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Indiana Corridor will debut an emotional well-being service program expansion to serve children in White, Pulaski, Fulton and Cass counties, the website said. For more information about NIPSCO’s Corporate Citizenship efforts, go to nipsco.com/givingback. West Side Leadership Academy sportsmanship recognized West Side Leadership Academy has been recognized as a “First Team All Sportsmanship” team by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), according to a release. The recognition, announced by the Gary Community School Corp., highlights West Side Leadership Academy’s dedication to cultivating a positive environment for student-athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators. By upholding the IHSAA’s “Principles of Sportsmanship,” the school has demonstrated its ability to lead by example, emphasizing inclusivity, respect, and community spirit, the release said. West Side Leadership Academy’s achievement underscores the Gary Community School Corp.’s deeper commitment to character development through athletics, the release said. For more information about the Gary Community School Corp. and its programs, visit www.garyschools.org.