WINONA LAKE — A wide variety of groups are coming together for the 12th annual “We Care Warsaw” event from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Gordon Health and Wellness Center, 100 Publishers Drive, Winona Lake.

In recent years, over 1,000 guests from the community have attended; and over 350 volunteers from the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church helped out at the event.

The event is an effort to provide assistance in helping families meet their needs. In the past, over 1,000 guests have attended the day that is sponsored and provided by over 400 volunteers from the church.

The day includes numerous complimentary services such as haircuts, family photos, make-up and manicure stations. In addition, families will receive a bag of groceries (provided by World Compassion Network), a dozen eggs (provided by Egg Innovations) and a bottle of laundry detergent (provided by the church).

Each guest will receive a door prize ticket as they arrive. Throughout the length of the event, ticket numbers will be drawn for gift cards to community grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants and more. Several $100 gift cards will be awarded at the end of the day. More than $3,000 in gift cards will be distributed.

A full course turkey meal will be provided for up to 1,000 people.  

There are free tickets for each of the four seating times. Each seating time of 250 people is available as tickets remain. The meal includes roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, apple and pumpkin pie, coffee, milk and water.

The event will also include:

• A health clinic, operated by Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition, will provide the following free health screenings and explanations: A1C test for diagnosed diabetics, Anemia, Blood Pressure, BMI, Cholesterol, Glucose, Oxygen saturation and waist circumference.
• A Kid Zone will be available throughout the day and will include inflatable bounce houses, pedal cars, 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 cost. 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 the following: Beaman Home, Cardinal Services/Kosciusko Head Start, Combined Community Services, English as a New Language, Habitat for Humanity, Heartline, Healthy Families, Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children – On My Way Pre-K, Ivy Tech Community College/Warsaw, KABS, Lutheran Services, Medical and Dental Assistance, Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition,  Real Services, Thrivent, World Compassion Network, Work One. Other donations have been provided by Big R/Stock and Field, Grace College, Indiana Wesleyan University, Meijer, Sodexo Food Service and Walmart.

To learn more call Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church at (574) 267-6623.