CarmelFest turns into celebration of service

White’s Ace Hardware, Folds of Honor Indiana & The Smoking Pastor Project honor veterans & first responders while raising awareness for families of fallen service members

Submitted

Last weekend, residents of Hamilton County and the surrounding areas gathered at CarmelFest to observe America’s Semiquincentennial and the Fourth of July. While the event was full of fun activities for kids of all ages, one booth was making an effort to give back to families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

White’s Ace Hardware hosted a First Responder Community Cookout benefiting Folds of Honor Indiana and The Smoking Pastor Project. During the cookout, veterans and first responders were provided with a complimentary meal. The Smoking Pastor Project also provided meals to the general public with a donation, Weber Grills had food samples and Indie Coffee Roasters made coffee available in the morning.

“We are fortunate to have local partners like White’s Ace Hardware and The Smoking Pastor to help raise awareness of our mission and funds for families who have lost a loved one to service,” Folds of Honor Indiana Founder & Executive Director Mike Daggett said. “It’s events like these that create true community impact and allow us to continue providing scholarships for those in need.”

Folds of Honor Indiana is known for its commitment to providing life-changing educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled military personnel and first responders. Since its inception in 2007, the national Folds of Honor organization has awarded nearly 73,000 scholarships totaling over $340 million across the United States.

 

CarmelFest was the second time White’s Ace Hardware, The Smoking Pastor Project and Folds of Honor Indiana have partnered to raise awareness for Folds of Honor’s mission. The three organizations also hosted Grill for Heroes, a themed BBQ, over Memorial Day Weekend at the Fishers location.

“Giving back has always been part of who we are as a family business,” said Chris White, operations manager at White’s Ace Hardware. “Partnering with Folds of Honor and The Smoking Pastor gave us an opportunity to honor those who serve, support meaningful causes, and create an event that brought our community together in a positive way.”

White’s Ace Hardware also took the celebrations in-store and offered special Fourth of July deals and an American flag giveaway.

The Smoking Pastor Project is dedicated to delivering high-quality, fully cooked food to local events and food pantries. The organization partners with community organizations to ensure families have access to ready-to-heat (or eat) fully cooked meals.

For those who couldn’t be at CarmelFest or didn’t get a chance to stop by the White’s Ace Hardware Booth, Folds of Honor Indiana hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Upcoming, Folds of Honor will host its July Cars & Coffee meet-up at Knowledge Services, just south of Fishers, on Saturday, July 25.

Folds of Honor and The Smoking Pastor Project both offer monthly donation options for individuals and families looking to make a continuous impact. Folds of Honor’s Wingman Program is only $13 per month, representing 13 folds of the American flag, and funds scholarships for children and spouses of America’s fallen or disabled heroes, and The Smoking Pastor Project’s Firestarter Founders Club helps deliver high-quality protein to families who need it most.

As communities across Indiana continue to celebrate the nation’s freedoms, partnerships like those between White’s Ace Hardware, The Smoking Pastor Project, and Folds of Honor Indiana demonstrate how local businesses and residents can turn holiday traditions into lasting support for military families and first responders.

To learn more about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities or ways to give, visit indiana.foldsofhonor.org and smokingpastorproject.com.