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Criswell: Giving back to our community

Friday, April 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM

By State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown)

State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) represents House District 54, which includes portions of Hancock, Henry, Rush and Shelby counties.

As the weather starts to warm and you begin to think about summer plans, I encourage you to consider volunteering in the community. Volunteer work is a valuable way to give back to our community, meet new people and make yourself feel good in the process.

April is National Volunteer Month, and we celebrate it as a way for volunteers to be recognized for their hard work and selfless service, and to encourage others to volunteer and serve their community.

As an elected official, it's been my pleasure to serve our community while interacting with several different volunteers and public servants who are passionately dedicating their time and energy to strengthening our community. I have met remarkable individuals through my own volunteer work and have seen the positive impact of volunteerism in communities and in them. Not only do you get to meet influential people, but you can also develop valuable skills, learn more about our community and connect with others.

Volunteer work is something anyone can do to grow as a person and make a tangible difference. It's a fantastic opportunity for children to learn more about our community and how they can serve and dedicate their time to helping others.

Volunteerism is essential to the growth and connectedness of our community and society because it's rooted in our willingness to give back and spend time with others who may be less fortunate than us. In our community, there are people, organizations, historic buildings and nature-related projects that need volunteers to help them thrive.

Throughout our community, there are several ways to get involved and give back, and a few of them include:

Hancock County Food Pantry

Greenfield, IN 46140

317-468-0273

Henry County Salvation Army

New Castle, IN 47362

765-529-1303

Shelby County Public Library

Shelbyville, IN 46176

317-398-7121

Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation

Rushville, IN 46173

765-932-7568

Volunteers can serve in a variety of settings: hospitals, religious organizations, schools, homeless shelters, food banks and more. With so many options, it can be difficult to find the right opportunity. Serve Indiana can link you to volunteer resources and organizations that can help find the best volunteer opportunity for you.

I always feel honored to represent our community at the Statehouse, and I encourage you to reach out with any questions, concerns or thoughts you may have. To contact my office, call 317-232-9850 or visit in.gov/h54.