Hi there!  If you're like me, you're ready to begin 2009 for many reasons!  First of all, I'm honored and excited to lead the Foundation into a year of making an even greater impact on the scourge of homelessness in central Indiana.  Secondly, I'm excited to be the new blog author as I find tidbits of information in our community and on the internet to share with you about homelessness.  Together, we can all make an impact!!

Just today, I got this story from Kathy Hall, past Foundation President and current MIBOR Board member.  Read and enjoy!

GENEROSITY IS NEW ALBANY RESIDENT'S GAME
December 30, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS – Janice Shannon of New Albany has been on a mission all her life. That mission is to help others.

Sometimes on her way home from work at General Mills, Shannon will stop at Lightning Food Mart at 2595 Charlestown Road in New Albany to pick up a few Scratch-off Lottery games.

"I've always told the clerk 'you know, if I win the Lottery, I'll help others,'" said Shannon.

Yesterday, the New Albany resident picked up a $10 Pure Gold Scratch-off game and scratched her way to 250,000 extra dollars.

"I sat down in the store at a table," said Shannon. "I think I might have screamed, yelled and hollered 'Thank you, Jesus!'" She also had tears of joy streaming down her face.

"I will see her [the store clerk] again soon and make sure to give Shirley a little something," said Shannon.

One of Shannon's missions is to start a daycare in New Albany. She also owns property and a home in Louisville to be used as transitional housing for homeless women.

"I just had a homeless young lady stay in the Louisville home while she went to a Registered Nursing (RN) program," said Shannon. "She just graduated! This will help a lot with my mission of finishing the transitional home."

Shannon has been working hard to constantly put money into the transitional home. Now she has the opportunity to complete her goal of finishing the house.

"That's my calling," said Shannon. "Thank you for the help, Hoosier Lottery."

The Floyd County resident and her husband William have a son who is working in Afghanistan to rebuild communities. He is retired from the Army.

As a small gift to herself, Shannon says, "We'd also like to try and get him home now."

"I'm so blessed, I like to share," said Shannon. "Even more so now."