The
Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club created Babapaloosa, a family friendly event
featuring local bands, foods, and brews, to benefit others locally and in
Nepal. The Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self”.
The See Change
Foundation (SCF) is a 501-c3 charity created by local 2004 Chesterton High
School graduate Eric Bouchard in support of the educational, nutritional,
medical, and cultural needs of children of conflict and poverty in the
Lamjung region of Nepal. SCF is a main benefactor of the proceeds of the
Babapaloosa festival, developed to raise money and awareness locally on
SCF’s behalf. SCF supports an orphanage, computer labs, libraries and more
in Nepal.
This year SCF has
taken on the initiative to provide a warm, nutritious meal for 86 students
that would not have access to food at home, along with a provision of
reusable sanitary pad distribution and feminine hygiene workshops for
underprivileged girls and a school uniform distribution for kids at public
schools for those who cannot afford them.
Now in its seventh
year, SCF has shifted towards sustaining scholarships for the children they
have touched. Two longtime students are being sent on to secondary school
through the support of SCF and Babapaloosa. SCF works closely with Nepal
native Huma Guring to maintain a direct line of communication with those in
need.
Beyond Nepal the
Babapaloosa festival provides assistance for local needs and charities. The
Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club takes their shared proceeds from the event to
support local giving like Westchester Food Pantry, Rebuilding Together,
Duneland Diamond, Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary, The YMCA, Porter
County Boys & Girls Club, and five local scholarships.
Bapapaloosa Sunday
The gates open at
noon on Sunday, August 5, at Sunset Hill Farm. Music starts at 12:30 p.m.
with Dan Vogedes and 444, Jerica Paliga at 1:45, Pet Envy out of Nashville
at 3:00, Nic Byrd and Los Pecados de Maria at 4:45, with The Corey Dennison
Band taking the stage at 6:00.
Valpo Velvet, So
Good Island Grill, Leroy’s Hot Stuff, Kona Ice and Sweet, and Savory
Delights will be serving up food, drinks and snacks. Leroy’s Hot Stuff will
operate a beer garden with local brewery choices and a full bar. Twenty
percent of all sales are donated back to the fundraiser and due to excise no
outside alcohol will be allowed.
Volunteers and
sponsorships make this entire day possible.