Category Archives: Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run

Dani's Dreams Club, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center

No Dream Too Big in 2013 at Dani’s Dreams

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“No dream is too big, no dreamer too small,” says the movie, “Turbo.” At Dani’ Dreams, a lot of little hands plant the seeds of big dreams through innovative activities and events each year at Hancock County’s only outdoor education center.

Teachers, Scout Leaders, and other community groups, contact Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center to schedule your specially designed educational opportunity. We’ll tailor your experience to your needs at NO CHARGE. Contact Donna Griffin, director, at dgriffins@netzero.com or 317-640-4430.

 Check out the first five of the Top 10 Dani’s Dreams memorable moments in 2013 (in chronological order):

1. April 12 Earth Day Dedication Event

useDSC_0847The highlight of Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Event was a special presentation by Mrs. Deb Weiler’s fourth grade students at Sugar Creek Elementary in New Palestine. They are partnering with Dani’s Dreams on a composting project and are the perfect example of how young people can truly “Dream It – Do It” and share that knowledge with others. Thanks so much Mrs. Weiler and her smart and caring students – Sarah Adam, Sierra Patrick, Madison Schmitt, Mia Thomas, and Laney Scott.

2. Opening of Go Green Center

useDSC_0836Dani’s Dreams is all about growing, discovering, becoming – little seeds are planted, take root and reach toward the sky. The Go Green Discovery Center opened April 12, 2013, is in the seedling stage, changing and morphing to meet the needs of Hancock County schoolchildren. Now it is the site of meaningful, environmental activities, crafts and demonstrations for all students in Hancock County. Watch it Grow!

3. Dream It – Do It! T-shirt Design and Essay Contest Winners Chosen

First Place - Ali Kinder
First Place – Ali Kinder

Hancock County students put their talents and creativity on display for the annual Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center T-shirt design and essay contest for 2013. Ali Kinder, a student at Zion Lutheran School is the winner of the T-shirt design contest. Kinder’s design was featured on T-shirts for the event. Second place went to Katie Taylor, a fifth grader at Zion Lutheran School and third place winner was Rylee Morris, sixth grader at Zion Lutheran School. The students’ interpretations of the “Dream It – Do It!” theme brought color and life to race T-shirts and even jump started a new organization that brought peace, comfort and hope to others – Emma Mann’s Peace Bear Project. Emma is the 2013 Essay Contest winner. Brock Turner, 2013 Lutheran High School graduate received the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Scholarship.

4.  Northern Night Concert kicks off Sixth Annual Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run

DSC_0171Up-and-coming band, Northern Nights set the stage Aug. 2 with a benefit concert at Zion Lutheran School. The next morning, more than 100 runners/walkers braved a damp summer morning to race/exercise on the cross country course and stadium track at New Palestine High School to raise funds for environmental education in Hancock County.

5. Dani’s Dreams Club Activities

useDSC_0154Dani’s Dreams Club took root in 2013, as members filmed an informational video and environmental reports, planted and tended vegetables and flowers in the Community Garden and went on a bug expedition. Join Dani’s Dreams Club when it expands this year to include an online component as well as the popular after school events and activities. Be a part of our reporting team, which will be covering environmental issues in videos to be aired in the Go Green Center and also creating an online newsletter.

Check out the next post for the other five Top Memorable Moments at Dani’s Dreams in 2013!

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events

All ‘Bout Bugs at Dani’s Dreams….

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Children at Zion Lutheran Daycare emerged victorious from their expedition to explore Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center in search of the littlest creatures. They took off in teams for a bug catching competition July 26 and celebrated with a popsicle picnic on Dreaming Tree Hill. Special experiences like theirs are made possible by your support of the upcoming Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 3, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School. Register online now or come to the Northern Nights Concert Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. and get your specially designed race T-shirts to wear for the big event!

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Special Events

Northern Nights coming to Dani’s Dreams for FREE concert!

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northern nights posterBreaking news — Northern Nights is coming to Zion Lutheran Church for a free kickoff concert to benefit Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. Register for Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run the next morning, Aug. 3, 8 a.m. and get your race T-shirts early. Come for the music and to see what Dani’s Dreams is all about. Thanks so much to Thomas Finchum and Northern Nights for making this special event happen!
You’re all invited!
Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Go Green Discovery Center

Register Online For Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 3

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discover posterddJoin the Sixth Annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 3. The event includes a 5K race on the New Palestine High School cross country course or a one mile family fun run/walk on the NPHS football stadium. Your registration fee includes specially designed T-shirts with this year’s theme “Dream It – Do It!” Family registration fees includes 2 T-shirts

Register online today – CLICK HERE

Registration price goes up the day of the event and T-shirts are NOT guaranteed for late registrations.

Links for the registration forms are below – you can also bring or mail the forms to Zion Lutheran School, 6513 W. 300 S., New Palestine, IN 46163

danisdreamswalkrunbrochure20132

danisdreamswalkrunbrochure2013

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

So Grow and Do It…

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At Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, we’re growing vegetables and flowers. Volunteers are weeding, watering and watching the plants grow.

Thanks to rain barrels donated by the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District, watering is easier. Zion Lutheran Daycare children gave the green bean, pumpkin and corn seeds their first drink with water from the rain barrels – conservation in action!

You can grow your own green beans:

Use a container filled with dirt or find a spot for a garden in your backyard.

Get some green bean seeds, (Bush beans are easier to grow than pole beans.)

Dig a hole about half a finger deep and drop in two or three seeds every four inches.

Cover them up lightly with dirt.

Watch, water and weed  – you should see a sprout in about a week.

In about 55 days, you will have green beans to pick just like at Dani’s Dreams!

If you want to be a part of Watching ‘Em Grow in our Community Garden, email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430.

Let us know how your garden is growing… Post your pictures and comments here or on the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s Facebook page.

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

They did it and so can you!

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Children at Zion Lutheran Daycare joined with Dani’s Dreams to plan and plant the four plots in the Community Garden at the Go Green Discovery Center June 14. Students then put on their reporter hats and will keep the community up to date with progress at the gardens.

If your Scout, Daycare, Preschool or School group wants to have a unique outdoor activity or project, email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430 and Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will work with you to make it happen – Dream It – Do It!

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Special Events

Hope For The Future

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Lutheran High School senior awarded Dani’s Dreams Scholarship

A stellar record of academic pursuits and community service characterize Brock Turner, Greenfield, the 2013 winner of the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Scholarship. Turner will attend either DePauw University, Wabash College or Hanover College to study biology and communications.

“Whether it is research, medicine or another field within the sciences, I am confident that I can make a difference,” Turner wrote in his scholarship essay. “There will always be diseases to cure, problems to solve and species to help. For example, God created each and every one of the animals, people and plants on this earth. It is our job to help them and save them from sickness, harm and premature death. Science allows us to do so.”

Turner, son of James and Tracy Turner, is a member of National Honor Society and received All Conference Academic Honors in the Indiana Crossroads conference. He is a varsity letterman for the Saints in swimming and cross country, served as a Statehouse Ambassador and is an American Red Cross certified lifeguard, CPR and first aid. He was Zion Lutheran School salutatorian in 2009.

“Science allows us to get an inside look at what God has created for us on this earth. I believe it will only strengthen our faith if we learn more about science,” Turner wrote. “We have learned of marvelous objects that point to God. It is scientific discoveries that merge science and faith; all things lead to the cross.”

 

 

 

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Special Events

DREAM IT – DO IT! Local Students Share Their Talents, Creativity, Ideas

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Southern Hancock students’ creative talents will be on display this year in the sixth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 3 at New Palestine High School.

Ali Kinder, a student at Zion Lutheran School is the winner of the T-shirt design contest. Kinder’s design will be featured on T-shirts for the event. Second place goes to Katie Taylor, a fifth grader at Zion Lutheran School and third place winner is Rylee Morris, sixth grader at Zion Lutheran School. Their designs will be posted online and used in walk/run brochures and on posters for the event.

Essay contest winner is Emma Mann, third grader at New Palestine Elementary. Her essay, which will be in walk/run brochures follows:

Peace Bear

By Emma Mann

New Palestine Elementary School

3rd grade

Everybody has different dreams. One person wants to be an astronaut. One wants to be a famous singer or a mailman, but my dream is a bit different. I like how people are happy all over the world. Some people are happy about a new toy. I am happy because I am well. Most people think that might be silly, but really it’s not.

One day I dreamed I could even spread a smile over sick people’s faces. So wherever they go, they’ll always feel happy and feel like something special. So I dreamed up the idea of giving a bear to my Aunt Julie who got cancer and was really sick. It was just to make her smile and have something to hold.

When I got the bear back, my teacher got cancer, so I gave the bear to her. I wanted to cheer her up too.

The bear is blue with peace signs all over it, and I call it Peace Bear. I am still waiting to get it back from my teacher. See it is like a traveling bear. I give sick people the bear with peace signs on it so they can have peace in their surgery.

I know I can do nothing about curing cancer, but I love how there are lovely smiles covering their faces. I feel like a hero to do that.

I just found out there is another teacher that has cancer at our school and when Peace Bear returns, I will give it to her and I hope she grins too.

Someday when I grow up I hope to have a bunch of bears to send out to sick people and I hope to see lots of people full of smiles looking back at me.

That’s my dream.

Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is a resource for Hancock County schools, teachers, Scouts and all community groups for hands-on, innovative environmental education opportunities and state standards-based activities and projects. We’ll design a one-of-a-kind tour, activity or project for YOUR CLASS, based on YOUR NEEDS at NO CHARGE. Email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430 – Dream It, Do It!

 

 

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center

Running for Dani’s Dreams. . .

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PHOTOS BY ELYSE SOMBKE, ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL
New Palestine residents, friends and family of Dani Griffin and others showed up in force for the fifth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4 at New Palestine High School, on what would have been Dani’s 30th birthday. The event raises funds for the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School, New Palestine.
Watch ‘Em Grow is the theme for this year’s event and the title of the new Go Green Discovery Center, open this fall, funded in part by the Hancock County Community Foundation. The Go Green Center is open to all Hancock County students and will be powered by solar and wind energy and contain interactive exhibits and activities to enhance science education in the area.
Hancock County students talents were on display at the walk/run and T-shirt design and essay contest winners were recognized: Katie Taylor, Zion Lutheran School is the winner and her design is on all the race shirts. Second place went to Lee Ann James, Sugar Creek Elementary and third place to Sarah Maynard, Sugar Creek Elementary. Drake Shadle, New Palestine Elementary and Ireland Crabtree, Zion Lutheran, are the essay contest winners.
Christina Harkleroad was also honored as the 2012 recipient of the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Scholarship.
Race winners are: Riley Wilson, men’s division and Sue Gaudreau, women’s division.
Thanks to all the race and event sponsors: Hancock County Community Foundation, Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District, who donated four rain barrels to the Go Green Discovery Center; Hillcrest Tree Farm, Noll Landscape Group, Team Image Screenprint and Embroidery, Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation, Dr. Brian Schoppel, McDonald’s of New Palestine, Mama Nita’s Pizza, K&K Fence Company, Auto Air and Heating, Greenfield Walmart, Greenfield Home Depot, Dr. Sharon Paluga, New Palestine Gentle Dentist, Sam’s Club, Greenfield Home Depot, 10th and Post, Johnson-Melloh Solutions and Michele Conti.
A special thanks goes to the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Committee (you know who you are) who provide their time, talents, love and commitment to keeping Dani’s Dreams alive, including Claudia Griffin, Buttons and Bows, whose face painting made the day so special.
Love, you all!

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center

Celebrate the Start of School and Help Dani’s Dreams

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Join us Aug. 1, 5-8 p.m. at the New Palestine McDonald’s to sign up for Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4, 8 a.m. at NPHS and have dinner to raise funds for the new Go Green Discovery Center. Get details of all the fun activities on the way!