Community unites at Rhyme & Reason’s fundraising gala
On Friday, March 7, at the Indiana Dinosaur Museum, Rhyme & Reason Ministry Inc. hosted its fourth annual Help Us Spread Our Wings fundraising gala, sponsored by Apollo Printing & Graphics Center. The
community event was intended to, as its mission states, "help those with emotional, behavioral, and social challenges make sense of their lives and find their purpose."
The event featured a dinner, a silent auction benefiting the organization, and special guest speakers. Among them was Tom Severs, who was born with cerebral palsy and shares his life story in his autobiography, “Divine Coaster Chronicles.” Many of Tom’s high school classmates and longtime friends came to support him in celebrating the publication of his first book.
Jennifer Wiese, founder and CEO of BeeFree, also spoke at the event. BeeFree is a nationally recognized brand of gluten-free, grain-free snacks. Wiese shared how her son’s autism diagnosis led her to discover the benefits of a gluten and casein-free diet. Frustrated by the bland, dry, and expensive options available, she created BeeFree to offer better alternatives for families.
Proceeds from the event will go toward Rhyme & Reason’s campus project, which aims to secure a physical space in Lakeville, IN. The event was also supported by many volunteers, 20 of whom are regular participants in the programs Rhyme & Reason provides. Additional volunteers included five Notre Dame students. They worked together alongside their Rhyme & Reason support staff to serve the food
and drinks, and help manage the event’s logistics.
"The dream is about creating a space where we can create a community—not just to bring people in and keep them there, but to train and empower them to believe in their dreams, and then take that belief out into the world,” said Andrew Kaser, Director of Social Program and Events for Rhyme & Reason.
Attendees also participated in a silent auction featuring prizes donated by more than 60 organizations and local businesses, including Steelyard Coffee, Earthling Bee Co., Notre Dame, and the Albanese Candy Factory. According to Kaser, this year’s response exceeded expectations.
"Michiana has always responded, and that’s been beautiful to see,” Kaser said. “Last year, we had about 30 donations; this year, we put together almost 70 baskets. That’s the beauty of it. And we call them investors, not just donors, because every contribution—big or small—is significant."
Despite the organization's youth and room for growth, Kaser envisions a future filled with ample support from both near and far.
"I hope this event helps to let more people know we exist and that what we do truly matters. We don’t have a magic bucket of resources. We claw and scratch for everything we get because we know how much it matters to the individuals we serve,” Kaser said. “We want to give people a front-row seat to see that these are beautiful human beings who just want to expand their lives and dream, like the rest of us."
With a focus on improving lives and giving back to the community, Kaser hoped attendees left the evening with a new perspective.
"There’s already enough negative stigma around things, so any opportunity to paint something beautiful on the canvas of life is a win for us,” Kaser said. “Ten months ago, I had never heard of Rhyme &
Reason, and I know I’m not the only one. I’ve lived here my whole life. But we trust that God will send us the right people. I just hope we become more known because what we’re doing is beautiful.”
For more information about the Help Us Spread Our Wings event and to stay updated on Rhyme & Reason’s upcoming social program activities, please visit rhymeandreason.net.