Giving back to others during the holidays not only strengthens community bonds and teaches empathy, but also brings immense joy and spreads positivity. One local nonprofit, led by Christmas-loving Founder and President Scotty Randolph, is dedicated to bringing this joy to local, in-need families through the gift of Christmas presents.
“In 2015 I would ‘adopt’ a family through a large nationwide charity to provide Christmas gifts and assistance to families in Indianapolis,” Randolph says. “After a few years the charity changed its rules about what we could buy and how to assist families. I wasn’t excited about the change, so I decided to branch out and do it alone.”
Randolph is a singer-songwriter and says FoxGardin Kitchen & Ale restaurant in Fortville has always been one of his favorite performing spots. He partnered with Spencer Foster, the director of operations at Burgess Restaurant Group, to combine an open mic night for various musicians to play while raising funds for local families identified through local schools. That first year, the group raised around $2,000 to help two local families.
Randolph says each year he got a little more help from various people, and was able to raise a little more money and provide more gifts. FoxGardin partnered with Randolph to host the open mic night, provide meeting space, host an intimate fundraising dinner and donate items. Additional FoxGardin customers got involved and wanted to join forces to help even more families. Each year the funds raised grew, so that Randolph eventually knew he had to create a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. That’s when the Not So Silent Night (NSSN) foundation was officially created. The foundation hosts an annual fundraiser called Not So Silent Night, a tongue-in-cheek reference to music.
Foster now serves as vice president of the foundation. She got involved with the organization through FoxGardin, but has always been the go-to person in charge of “adopting” families during the holidays at every job she’s had since high school.
“I can remember collecting change in elementary school to help families at Christmas, and I’ve supported several nonprofits over the years, but it’s been an even more rewarding experience to partner with a friend to create our own,” Foster says. “My favorite thing about NSSN is having gotten to know the families we assist over the last several years. We have many that we help year after year, and it’s always amazing to catch up with the parents and see what the kids are into as they grow. One grandma has even met my baby, and we talk often throughout the year.”
This year’s event is on December 6 at The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club, with music by DJ Gee6ix, a silent auction, live auction, raffle items, food, cash bar, games and prizes. Randolph says the event is decorated to the nines with holiday decor galore, and cheer abounding. Tickets are $70 to attend, and a portion of each cocktail purchased goes towards buying local families Christmas gifts. Attendees can also simply scan a QR code to see each local family’s wish list to make giving even more accessible.
“Last year we helped over 20 families and raised just over $50,000,” Randolph says. “This year’s goal is $75,000, and we’ve found more avenues to connect with families locally who need assistance with more than just holiday gifts. We’ve helped with everything from purchasing work boots for someone, to paying a months’s rent and providing new living room furniture after a family’s was damaged.”
Randolph says he likes to hold the event early in the holiday season for two reasons. First, logistically, it allows more time for volunteers to purchase, wrap and deliver the presents for those in need. Secondly, he wants to encourage everyone to continue giving well into and beyond the holiday season. He hopes this event will kick off a season of giving back and inspire others to get involved. While his goal is to raise $75,000 to cover each family’s holiday gifts, he’s aiming for more…to involve the community in supporting each other during Christmas and throughout the year.
For more information and to get involved, visit notsosilent.home.qtego.us.
