Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND) Inc.’s inaugural Stay Home for HAND fundraiser has generated nearly $10,000 in donations to support the Noblesville-based nonprofit’s work.
HAND took an unusual approach to the traditional charity fundraiser: Instead of asking donors to attend an upscale event in a rented venue, the organization invited the community to stay home on the evening of Nov. 11 – enjoying the kind of warmth and comfort that HAND provides.
More than 50 households bought tax-deductible tickets to Stay Home for HAND, and several shared photos and videos of their activities that evening. Ticketholders also had access to an online silent auction that closed during the “event.”
Discounted tickets are still available for households that weren’t able to stay home on Nov. 11 but still want to participate.
“We are thrilled with the response we received this year,” said HAND Executive Director Jennifer Miller. “It’s a different kind of ‘event,’ but people seemed to really embrace the idea that they could stay home. And we couldn’t ask for a better tie-in with our mission.”
Proceeds from Stay Home for HAND will support the organization’s housing-development, home-repair and community-building programs. HAND works to ensure that Hamilton County remains livable, with homes that are affordable for all residents.
Since 2003, HAND has invested nearly $17 million in Hamilton County housing, developing six affordable apartment communities. Construction is underway on a seventh, Home Place Gardens, which is expected to open in 2018.
Learn more at handincorporated.org.