2012 Safe at Home Event Makes Starke County Safer

David Hyatt installs smoke detector in a home in Starke County

Fifty volunteers spread out across Starke County this weekend during the first Safe at Home event, sponsored by Northwest Indiana Community Action, Community Services of Starke County, and IU Health Starke Hospital. The volunteers traveled to 14 homes where the occupants were in need of some help with home repair and yard work, including ramp repairs, handrail and grab-bar installation, smoke detectors testing and installation, and various yard work.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers and North Judson Town Board President Wendy Hoppe also assisted in the endeavor, and IU Health Starke Hospital President and CEO David Hyatt said he was overjoyed to see so many of his colleagues donating their precious time for such a worthwhile cause. He said making Starke County a safer place is at the core of the hospital’s mission statement.

Angela Bombagetti (L) and Adrienne Morrow help out during the Safe at Home event

Community Services of Starke County assembled much of the home identification information, and Executive Director Joan Haugh told those assembled following the event that she considered the day to be an outpouring of love and support for those less fortunate.

Northwest Indiana Community Action is a community-oriented, not-for-profit organization – the largest combined Area Agency and Community Action Agency in Indiana. The agency provides services for residents of Starke, Pulaski, Porter, Jasper, Newton, and Lake counties, with a mission to offer assistance to residents in need.