Synergize closes out 2021 with joyful impact

(Left) Major John Lowes, President of the HCSO Community Foundation, speaks at the 4:30 Meetup. (Right) Pastor Rashad Cunningham of Mercy Road closes out the HCSO Community Foundation's presentation at the 4:30 Meetup. (Reporter photos by Denise Moe)

On Dec. 14, members of Synergize gathered for the group’s last 4:30 Meetup of 2021. The event supported the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Community Foundation, specifically the Shop with Kids program. Through Shop with Kids, deputies get to fulfill children’s Christmas lists and hand-deliver toys, clothes, and school supplies to their homes.

The HCSO Community Foundation creates opportunities for the Sheriff’s Office and the community to support each other. They facilitate a Shop with Kids program every Christmas and at the beginning of each school year. The deputies at the Sheriff’s Office also volunteer throughout the year and plan a handful of other events through the foundation.

“At the Sheriff’s Office, we’re blessed with an opportunity to serve and we need to take advantage of those opportunities,” said Major John Lowes, Chief Deputy at the Sheriff’s Office and president of the HCSO Community Foundation, at the event. “I enjoy talking about the Foundation, but at the end of the day, it’s all about helping the less fortunate in our community.”

Synergize’s monthly 4:30 Meetups raise awareness, support, and funds for local nonprofit organizations. Over the past two years, the unconventional group has raised over $125,000 for local causes. Outside of the 4:30 Meetups, Synergize builds deep relationships between its members through intentional connections and smaller meetups and groups.

“It’s our belief that people should build friendships before building business,” said Heather Hunter, Synergize’s Director of Marketing. “Synergize was created to take the way people typically build a network – very transactional, very service-based – and turn it into something genuine that changes our members’ lives and the world around us.”

As the group gears up for 2022, its future looks bright. On Jan. 25, Synergize is throwing a brand-new dinner event called “Relationships Reimagined: 3.0.” The night will kick off its third year in business and celebrate Synergize’s impactful journey into the new year. For anyone interested in getting involved, tickets are available on Eventbrite or at synergizeindy.com.