Mission 25 has so much to be thankful for

We’ll start with what we’re most thankful for: Our community

Like every nonprofit organization in every small town or booming city, we have so much to be thankful for, starting with our community.

Mission 25 leans far into the support of the community of Columbia City, and even Northeast Indiana. For instance, at our Miami Village Community Center this summer, we were able to provide an entire summer’s worth of experiential programming for 38 kids! These events and opportunities weren’t just organized at a conference room table and put into action. These events and opportunities came with many thoughtful conversations with our community partnerships and collaborations with local businesses, other nonprofits and generous supporters.

We especially want to thank Image of Hope Ranch, Fahl Aquatic Center, Bones Theatre, Columbia City Pizza Hut, Shoe Sensation, Columbia City Dairy Queen, Columbia City Parks Department (Morsches, Eagle Park, Kids Dreamland and Devol Field), Ligonier Burger King, Dutch Creek Animal Park, Camp S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, Wake the World: Lake James, Marion Splash House, City Chevy and City Ford, WCCS Transportation Department, Deputy Prosecutor Lindsey Grossnickle, Indiana State Police, Officials from Whitley County Probation Department, Columbia City High School’s boys and girls soccer teams, Columbia City Fire Department, Columbia City Police Station, Mayor Ryan L. Daniel, Brew’ha, Vintage Blessed and the Columbia City Post Office.

It’s an “oldie, but a goodie,” but we can’t let this one go uncelebrated! Travel back with us to reminisce over the annual Knights of Columbus Fish Fry in March, where this fundraiser garnered $5,000 to support our services! We can never believe our eyes when the lines for this Fish Fry form as early and span as long as they do. So yes… it’s an “oldie, but a goodie,” and we’re still humbled by the rallying support of this community. You can see what these dollars help us accomplish here.

And we can’t just stop there! In the midst of all of these activities and fundraisers this year, other community members reached our programs in ways we find so unique and so kind.

The Tabitha Sisters harnessed the power of Spring and the love of Jesus by providing Easter Dinner, traditional Easter Baskets and outfits for our families. And as an annual tradition, the Tabitha Sisters also hosted their giant garage sale as a fundraiser for Mission 25. In the same vein, Miss Olivia D. crafted pot holders to sell at her grandma’s garage sale. Miss Raelynn and Miss Evy sold lemonade, cookies and popcorn alongside State Road 109 for the Fourth of July.

Monthly, we share our much needed prayers and anticipated praises with prayer warriors in our community. And monthly, they come together to do just that, pray and celebrate.

And finally, a special thank you goes to those who have either shipped needed items directly to Mission 25 (such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies, kitchen supplies and food) or who have been hand-delivering generous donations, homemade goodies and homegrown produce from their own gardens.

Thank you, from the deepest depths of our hearts, for your generosity, your time, your energy, prayers and so much more. We genuinely cannot do what we do without your support, in all the ways, shapes and forms that you share them with us.

Expressive Melodies: Songwriting Workshop

Join us for Expressive Melodies, an engaging songwriting workshop series at the Mission 25 Recovery Engagement Center. This weekly event, lead by Gralan Early of Fulcrum Entertainment, is designed to provide a creative outlet for individuals in recovery, foster emotional well-being, and build a supportive community. Whether you’re a seasoned songwriter or just starting, this program offers a safe space to explore your creativity, share your story through music, and collaborate with others.

Each session will cover songwriting fundamentals, including music theory, lyric writing, melody crafting, and more. Participants will also have the opportunity to perform their songs, receive feedback, and learn about the business of songwriting.

This is your chance to turn your emotions and experiences into powerful music, all while connecting with others on the same journey.

Expressive Melodies is FREE and open to adults looking for a creative outlet for their recovery.

Friends & Flannels Friendsgiving Event

Grab your favorite flannel and join us for an unforgettable Friendsgiving night full of warmth, gratitude, and good times! Our first Friends & Flannels Friendsgiving Event wouldn’t be complete without a pizza party, caramel apple bar, game time, art workshop, and YOU.

Don’t forget your flannel! This cozy gathering is all about celebrating friendship, sharing laughs, and enjoying the warmth of the season. We can’t wait to make this Friendsgiving one to remember with you.

Friends & Flannels Friendsgiving is FREE and open to individuals to gather with others in thanks and friendship!

Enjoy an array of delicious pizza options to kick off the evening! We’ve got the classic flavors covered so everyone can dig in. Make your own fall treat at our caramel apple bar! With slices, caramel, and all your favorite toppings, you can create a custom treat that’s perfect for the season. Let the games begin! We’ll be hosting a round of Jeopardy or Bingo for some friendly competition. Fun prizes await, so bring your A-game! Reflect on what you’re thankful for as we each create our own Grateful Tree. A simple but meaningful craft to take home and display, capturing the spirit of the season.

A Blue Christmas: Candlelight Vigil

For many, the holiday season is not a time of joy but a time of deep longing and sorrow. If you have lost someone dear to you, we invite you to join us for a Blue Christmas Candlelight Vigil—a time to honor your loved one and to find comfort in community.

Through moments of quiet reflection, the glow of candlelight and shared understanding, we will create space for grief—acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay. This in-memoriam event provides an opportunity for expression, remembrance, healing and community during the holiday season.

In collaboration with Churubusco United Methodist Church, Columbia City United Methodist Church and Mission 25, A Blue Christmas Candlelight Vigil will be held at the Recovery Engagement Center.

Holiday Movie Night

Get ready for a holly jolly evening filled with holiday cheer! Join us for a magical Holiday Movie Night featuring the beloved classic, Elf! Snuggle up in your coziest Christmas pajamas and let’s make this night one to remember.

Enjoy a night of laughter, crafts, and delicious treats with family and friends as we celebrate the season together. This event is FREE and open to all ages. Let’s make the season merry and bright!

Festive fun awaits with

  • Bones Theatre Popcorn
  • Tasty Hot Cocoa
  • Christmas Cookies
  • Winter Crafting
  • Cheesy Nachos

Plus! Wear your favorite Christmas pajamas and enjoy the movie in style!

Naloxone (NARCAN) Administration Training

In this FREE Layperson Naloxone (NARCAN) Training, presented by Mission 25, you will learn about the effects of the opioid public health crisis in the U.S., how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer the opioid overdose reversal drug, Naloxone.

Naloxone (brand name Narcan™) is an opiate antidote which reverses an opioid overdose in much as the same manner as an EpiPen (epinephrine injection) reverses an allergic reaction. Opioids include heroine and prescription pain pills like OxyContin, Percocet, methadone and Vicodin. When a person is overdosing from an opioid, their central nervous system and respiration system is depressed and breathing slows, or stops. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids and reverses the effects of an overdose.

This Training Includes:

  • Recognize the signs of an opioid overdose
  • Demonstrate how to administer the opioid overdose reversal drug, Naloxone (NARCAN)
  • Discuss the role of harm-reduction in the overall opioid public health crisis solutions, action plans and strategies
  • List a minimum of three overdose prevention tips for people who use drugs (PWUD)

A Blue Christmas: Candlelight Vigil

This holiday season, if you find yourself grieving a loss, struggling with sorrow, facing any kind of difficulty, or navigating disappointment, we invite you to join us for a Blue Christmas Candlelight Vigil—a time to honor your loved one and to find comfort in community.

Through moments of quiet reflection, the glow of candlelight and shared understanding, we will create space for grief—acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay. This in-memoriam event provides an opportunity for expression, remembrance, healing and community during the holiday season.

In collaboration with Churubusco United Methodist Church, Columbia City United Methodist Church and Mission 25, A Blue Christmas Candlelight Vigil will be held at the Recovery Engagement Center.

Rooted Together: Growing Past Our Addictions & Traumas

Celebrate Arbor Day 2026 with a hands-on recovery experience at the Recovery Engagement Center! Growth starts small, and this event will help the growth spring into action.

Learn to connect the process of plant growth with the reality of recovery—both take time, consistency, and the right environment to prosper.

At this event, you’ll start something from seed, work with plant cuttings, and leave with a visual reminder that progress is happening even when results are not yet visible.

Evening Activities:

  • Learn the basics of plant propagation with seeds and cuttings
  • Decorate your own terra cotta pot
  • Plant something to take home and grow on your own
  • JOIN A PLANT SWAPSwap a plant cutting with someone else
  • Feel refreshed with fruits, veggies, and infused water

Miami Village Community Center: A Note on “Hope” from Karen Hedrick

Mission 25’s Miami Village Community Center helps us show love together

Although I wasn’t a Mission 25 employee when the Miami Village Community Center (MVCC) opened its doors in 2020, I knew about the initiative and was enthralled with the concept of building a safe place for some of our community’s most vulnerable children. I’d never seen anything quite like the partnerships that formed within our community during the planning period. Opening MVCC’s doors caused a resounding “They’re worth it,” from so many of these community champions. Fast forward almost six years and I now have the privilege of supervising the program and the staff who give meaning to the phrase, “you’re always welcome here.”

Supporting a Community

When I first started supervising at MVCC, I knew the basics—students would be fed, staff would assist with homework, and age-appropriate activities and games would be offered. It didn’t take me long to realize that there was something unique and authentic about the program. I’m in awe of the environment that has been created, not only for school-aged students but the entire mobile home community.

One of my favorite memories from winter 2025 came after a significant snowstorm. School was closed for multiple days in a row and synchronous learning was required of students. Nothing stood in the way of our team’s ability to serve. We rolled up our sleeves and devised a plan to create a space where every student could participate.

Zoom sessions were pulled up for each student.

Materials were organized and ready for assignments.

Chromebooks were fully charged.

A variety of snacks and one large meal was offered.

Homework assistance was available when needed.

Parents came with shovels an hour before start time to shovel our drive and ramp leading into our trailer.

Community Partnership

The teamwork between our team and the community symbolized a unique and thriving partnership, created together.

MVCC’s positive impact of the work with these students is felt within our community.

“MVCC has been incredibly responsive to our students’ needs. This year, they started opening the center on synchronous learning days to support students and families. It’s great to be able to remind families whose students struggle to complete work on synchronous learning days that center staff is available to help and that extra Chromebooks are available for students who need them to access their school work. We appreciate the partnership of MVCC!” – Meggan Hoag

A Thriving Community

I’ve been in some form of education my entire life—the calendar in my head starts in August and ends in May. But summer months at MVCC are where enrichment, advocacy, initiative, and feeding the hunger of a child’s curiosity, BLOOM. Our summer days are filled with exploration, team-building activities, outdoor adventures, quiet moments reading books, and every single water or messy game you can possibly imagine. Each year, we embark on a fun-filled summer season starting every May. Let me tell you that in 2026, we are up for the challenge, sunscreen and all!

Working with the Miami Village community has taught me a different level of patience, adaptability, and leadership. It has also taught me what OST (Out-of-School-Time) looks like. On good days, it’s a playful, whimsical adventure. On rough days, we dry a lot of tears and help regulate flipped lids because life just isn’t fair.

No matter the day, the hour, or the season, it’s a block of time I wholeheartedly look forward to every single week. What an honor to serve the Miami Village community.

Your support directly impacts the outcomes of our Miami Village Community Center.

Click here to make a donation toward Mission 25’s Miami Village Community Center.

Drumming For Joy with Lindsay Sprunger

NEW cardio drumming offered every other Thursday morning from May 7 to July 16 at 9:37 a.m.
Arrive by 9:30 a.m. to get set up to move your body, clear your mind and find a little joy with Lindsay Sprunger through beginner-friendly cardio drumming! Just bring yourself wearing comfy workout clothes!
Not sure if this kind of cardio is your thing? We’re sure it is!
🩵 All ages welcome
🩵 No experience needed
🩵 Healthier mind and body
🩵 No cost to participate