Latest news with #FirstCongregationalChurch
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UPDATED: Downtown Terre Haute Strawberry Festival is back on
The annual downtown Terre Haute Strawberry Festival will happen, after all. Through a collaboration between First Congregational Church of Terre Haute and Chances and Services for Youth - or CASY - the Strawberry Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 12 at the First Congregational Church, located at 630 Ohio Street. Earlier this month, the church announced it had to cancel the event, due in part to the closing of B&B foods, which has in the past provided trucks for the event, one with a freezer used for pre-orders and another with a refrigerator in front and freezer in back, used on the day of the event. CASY decided to step up and find a way to keep the annual tradition going. 'We reached out to the church and said what can we do to partner up on this and get this done,' said Brandon Halleck, CASY chief operating officer. He added, 'It's going to be a whirlwind for the next three weeks.' Baesler's Market is assisting in the effort. 'Of course the church is instrumental … they have all the expertise of putting this on for the past 36 years,' Halleck said. Some aspects are still being finalized, but Halleck is confident those will be worked out. Now, organizers are seeking volunteers. 'We're thrilled the church is willing to let us help them put this together,' Halleck said. At CASY, 'We're not new to putting on events.' Gwen Hicks, a First Congregational Church board member who does marketing for the annual event, said of CASY's partnership, 'We're thrilled at the opportunity. We were obviously very sad we weren't going to be able to make it happen for a number of reasons.' But CASY, and Halleck, pulled together some resources to make the annual event possible. 'We just need the volunteers and the public to show up and enjoy the day,' Hicks said. This family-friendly event promises a day of fun and community spirit, with proceeds supporting local youth programs and church initiatives, according to a news release. The Strawberry Festival will feature a variety of strawberry-themed fun, including the infamous strawberry 'works' treat, music from local bands and a kids area. This collaboration between First Congregational Church and CASY aims to bring the community together while raising funds for vital programs. Proceeds will support CASY's mission to provide early childhood education, family support, and youth mentoring services, as well as the church's community outreach efforts. The event is free to attend, with the strawberry 'works' available for purchase for $10. Food purchases can be made with cash or card. Volunteers are needed to help with setup, serving, and cleanup, and those interested can sign up by contacting Emilee Roberts at eroberts@
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown Terre Haute Strawberry Fest canceled for 2025
The First Congregational Church of Terre Haute has announced it is canceling its annual Strawberry Festival for 2025. The church, located at 630 Ohio St., made the announcement on its Facebook page. The event, a fundraiser for the church, has been a popular community celebration. Last year marked its 36th year. The church's "long standing relationship with B & B foods has been an integral part of our ability to hold successful Strawberry Festivals each year," the social media post stated. "Due to the closing of B & B Foods, along with other obstacles in regards to planning the Strawberry Festival, First Congregational Church has decided to pause our annual festival for 2025." The announcement says the church looks forward to exploring new planning options for future festivals. "This is an event that has always relied on and appreciated community volunteers while providing a fun, joyous celebration of summer for the Vigo County community. It is important to us as we navigate a different set up for the Strawberry Festival, that we do it with integrity and diligence to make it as successful as years past," the post states. It concluded, "Although we will not see you in 2025, we look forward to celebrating with the community during our Strawberry Festivals in the years to come."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Strawberry Festival will not happen in 2025
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO-WAWV) — Some big news about a popular festival. On its Facebook page First Congregational Church of Terre Haute is pausing it's Strawberry Festival for this year. It said it's happening due to the closing of B & B Foods, along with other obstacles. The following is the Facebook post: First Congregational Church's long standing relationship with B & B foods has been an integral part of our ability to hold successful Strawberry Festivals each year. Due to the closing of B & B Foods, along with other obstacles in regards to planning the Strawberry Festival, First Congregational Church has decided to pause our annual festival for 2025. We look forward to exploring new planning options for our festivals to come. This is an event that has always relied on and appreciated community volunteers while providing a fun joyous celebration of summer for the Vigo County community. It is important to us as we navigate a different set up for the Strawberry Festival, that we do it with integrity and diligence to make it as successful as years past. Although we will not see you in 2025, we look forward to celebrating with the community during our Strawberry Festivals in the years to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Candlelight vigil in Old Lyme raises money for IRIS
OLD LYME, Conn. (WTNH) — Dozens lit up the night in Old Lyme Wednesday night to raise money for a local nonprofit organization who help refugees and immigrants in Connecticut. 'When I was 24 years old, I got a one-way ticket,' England immigrant Moya Aiken said. Aiken knows the challenges and fears of coming to America illegally, having done so from a bad situation in England decades ago. IRIS prepares for 18th annual 'Run for Refugees' 'They kindly gave me a job as a waitress,' Aiken said. 'And these two guys came in and said 'is the owner here' and fresh off the boat I answer in this accent, 'awfully sorry not here at the moment' and they opened their jacket and went 'immigration.' I had a glass in my hand and I just dropped the glass.' Aiken and a couple other employees escaped and found solace at a nearby church, a similar place she came to Wednesday night to give back to an organization that helps immigrants like her. 'They come here for a reason. People don't realize the fear you live under when you're going through this,' Aiken said. The goal here at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme as well as other congregations and organizations from New London to New Haven is to raise $100,000. All of those proceeds will go to IRIS, or Integrated Refugee Immigration Services. 'IRIS has altered our state and our communities for the better as far as supporting community refugee resettlement in the state so we thought it was time for us to show our support of iris and give back,' Senior Minister Rev. Steve Jungkeit said. The reason, Jungkeit said, is because IRIS stands to lose millions of dollars in funding due to President Trump's recent executive orders that have eliminated funding to agencies that assist refugees and immigrants. Addressing illegal immigration being a top priority in his first couple weeks in office. Resettlement agencies race to help refugees ahead of Trump's second term 'President Trump has sent a loud and clear message to the entire world. America will no longer tolerate illegal immigration,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. 'We have no apologies, and we are moving forward very fast,' Trump said. In Old Lyme, dozens held candlelight high into the darkness while raising thousands for a nonprofit organization that they said brightens their community. 'These are the values that we believe. These are the things that we stand for, it's disheartening and painful to see but we've seen the goodness that comes from doing this work. We've seen the goodness that all of these folks from other parents of the world, immigrants and refugees bring to the community. So, we want to celebrate that and lift that up and help IRIS continue to exist and do its crucial work,' Jungkeit said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
