The Hamilton East Public Library will kick off its annual Season of Giving on Dec. 1, offering residents a variety of ways to support local families in need while highlighting a new partnership with Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
The campaign runs through Jan. 11 at both the Noblesville and Fishers library branches. Donation drives this year include winter clothing, non-perishable food, and period care products. Items collected at the Fishers Library will go to the Delaware Township Trustee’s Office, while donations at the Noblesville Library will support the Noblesville Township Trustee’s Office.
The library is also partnering with the Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank to collect shelf-stable foods. In addition, HEPL is working with HamCo Love, a nonprofit focusing on period poverty, to gather menstrual care products or monetary donations through the organization’s online wish lists or Venmo account.
A new element of this year’s campaign is an externship collaboration with Hamilton Southeastern High School. Three students from the school’s Public Relations class worked with HEPL’s marketing team this fall to assist with storytelling, messaging, photography, and social media promotion for the Season of Giving.
HSE senior Claire Robertson, who led the student team, said their goal was to help boost donations by 5% over last year. “We’re so thankful to our adviser, Bill DeLisle, and HEPL’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Kelsey Sweet, for giving us this opportunity,” Robertson said in the release.
Alongside the donation drives, the library will offer a series of programs for families, adults, teens, and children throughout the season. Events include Bling-a-Book for teens and adults (Nov. 29 in Noblesville and Dec. 13 in Fishers), Teen Gourmet workshops, a Stitch-a-Thon, a Family Portrait Day, Riso holiday card-making at Ignite Studio, a Dec. 26 blood drive in Noblesville, and the Heart Connectors program in January.
Additional drop-in crafts and activities will be available at both library locations. A full schedule and registration details are posted on the library’s online events calendar.
More information about the Season of Giving and donation guidelines can be found at hamiltoneastpl.org.