Children make crafts Friday, April 7, at Fables Books in downtown Goshen during the First Fridays Spring into Action event. Fables raised money for Goshen nonprofit The Window. Photo provided by Downtown Goshen Inc.

News Release

GOSHEN — Downtown Goshen Inc., organizer of Goshen’s monthly First Fridays series, recently announced that the April 7 Spring into Action First Fridays event in downtown Goshen raised more than $4,700 for Goshen nonprofit organizations.

During the course of Spring into Action, participating merchants, eateries and businesses contributed 10% of all proceeds from 5-9 p.m. to a nonprofit organization in Goshen.

April’s participating businesses included massage therapy collective Giving Tree Massage, Fables Books and Goshen Brewing Co. Giving Tree raised funds for the historic Goshen Theater; Fables Books contributed to Goshen nonprofit The Window, a faith-based organization that provides services and assistance to families on limited incomes; and Goshen Brewing Co. raised money for Art House of Goshen. Art House works to provide creative opportunities for artists in the region.

“Bringing Goshen together to shop, eat, drink and be entertained downtown — and to enjoy all the fun while also supporting local small business and nonprofits — it’s a win-win,” said the director of First Fridays, Amanda McMahon. “We’re thrilled that Spring into Action helped raise these funds and that everyone had a great time. It’s nice to see the community of Goshen continue to rally together to support First Fridays.”

Additional Spring into Action participating businesses included stationery and gift shop The Imagination Spot, which raised money for ADEC Inc.; women’s clothing store I M SHE; and Ignition Music Garage. I M SHE contributed to the First in Chaplain Crisis Response Team, a nonprofit that works in support of public safety testing, and Ignition Music Garage raised money for CAPS-Goshen. CAPS works to support families in ending child abuse and neglect.

The Nut Shoppe, a purveyor of specialty confections, raised money for the Goshen Hospital Auxiliary; bar and restaurant Constant Spring contributed to the Goshen High School Orchestra Boosters; and Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn donated its 10% to the Crossing Educational Center, a school for business and entrepreneurship that seeks to transform lives through education. Maple City Market participated in support of the upcoming River Bend Film Festival, April 20-23, at the Goshen Theater.

“We’re always happy with high participation and good numbers, but it’s also nice to see the growing impact of our volunteer base so far, this year,” said McMahon. “It’s been a challenge getting folks to recommit their time to worthy causes like this one, we’re so glad to see people coming back to us, looking to volunteer once again and be involved in this growth.”

Find full event details for the upcoming First Fridays at downtowngoshen.org.