Dave Rank, the We Care Warsaw coordinator, shows off some of the many items available Saturday, Nov. 13. Photo provided by Dave Rank.

News Release

WARSAW – The annual “WE CARE WARSAW,” featuring more than $32,000 worth of goods and services, returns at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Gordon Health and Wellness Center, 100 Publishers Drive, Winona Lake, next to the Winona Lake Fire Station.

The event is provided to help those in our community who have needs. In the past, over 1,000 visitors have attended and supported by over 350 volunteers from the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.

The church is looking forward to returning to an in-person event on Saturday after making the event a drive-thru only last year due to the pandemic.

“WL Grace values loving their neighbors, and this is just one way they demonstrate that to the community, The church said in a news release.

Over $32,000 worth of complementary services and items are made available at the event – such as haircuts, family photos, make-up and manicure stations. In addition, while supplies last, a family can receive a bag of groceries, (provided by World Compassion Network), a dozen of eggs (provided by Egg Innovations) and one bottle of laundry detergent (provided by the church ).

Each guest receives a door prize ticket as they enter the event. Throughout the length of day, ticket numbers are drawn to award gift cards to community grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants and more. Several Grand Prizes of $100 Gift Cards are awarded at the end of the day. By the end of the day, over $3,000 in Gift Cards are awarded along with other door prizes.

A full course turkey meal is provided for up to 1,000 people. The meal includes roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, apple and pumpkin pie, coffee, milk and water.

A Health Clinic, operated by Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition will provide the following free health screenings and explanations 

A Kid-Zone is available throughout the day including inflatable bounce houses, pedal cars races, craft tables, cookie decorating, face painting, and balloon art.

A Christmas Store allows parents to purchase toys, educational materials and winter garments for children. Prices are deeply discounted under retail costs. All proceeds benefit the monthly Gas Card Day that the church provides for the community. Free Christmas Gift Wrapping is made available.

Community groups represented with resource tables include Beaman Home, Cardinal Services/Kosciusko Head Start, Combined Community Services, English as a New Language, Heartline, Ivy Tech Community College/Warsaw, Lutheran Services, Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition, Real Services, World Compassion Network.

Other donations were provided by Grace College, Terry Ellis Photography, numerous hair salon stylists, World Compassion Network, Egg Innovations, Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.