Paladin Hosts First Ever Bowling For Inclusion Event

Around 60 people gathered together on Saturday, May 16 to knock down pins and show support for Paladin’s first ever Bowling for Inclusion event. The event took place at Inman’s Bowling and Recreation Center in Valparaiso. It featured fundraising, a bowling competition, and a lunch for the participants. 

The event came about at the suggestion of Assistant Chair of the Board Tony Hart. Location and affordability operated as large factors in planning. Steve Hobby, President and CEO of Paladin spoke on the process.

“It’s perfect because it’s in Valpo. We’re in Lake County and LaPorte County, so it’s halfway in between,” Hobby said. “It’s very cost-reasonable, and we’re hoping that people have a great time with it today.”

Since 1967, Paladin has served people of the Northwest Indiana Region through its provision of services for people living with disabilities. These services include residential services, personal assistance and care, behavioral management, and employment support, among others. Paladin also provides additional services in La Porte County, including early childhood education in Michigan City and La Porte as well as transportation services for qualifying seniors in La Porte.

Over the last few decades, Paladin has gone by many names and been composed of many different organizations in the community. Because of this, leaders feel as though the organization’s identity may be lost where it matters most.

Hobby shared more about this issue.

“We are a combination of four agencies. Each of those agencies were well known and established within their communities, so when we merged into Paladin, we kind of lost our identity.” Hobby said. “What we plan to do is increase awareness of the scope and breadth of the services we provide throughout Northwest Indiana.”

Presently, Paladin works with over 600 community members. Hart wants events like Bowling for Inclusion to allow this number to grow, helping Paladin reach more individuals and families who could benefit from its services..

“I want people to see what Paladin does for its clients,” Hart said. “Getting people exposed to what Paladin does and the services that it provides while also understanding the need for that is huge. For the community to know that if they’re in need of these services, that there’s a company out there to help them, that’s what we want. The more people we can get involved with, the better.”

Following the success of this event, Hart shared his hope for the future.

“I think the turnout and people getting to have this experience at the event will allow us to build on it next year,” Hart said. “Hopefully we can continue it for years to come.”

Hobby echoed this.

“We’re hoping to really expand it. This is what we want to do every year.”

Later this year, Paladin will host its annual Putt for a Purpose event on Friday, August 14th, focusing further on fundraising and raising awareness of the organization. The event will be held at Wicker Memorial Park Golf Course. 

Outside of fundraising events, Hobby highlighted the need for volunteers in the area, especially for volunteers with specialized skills.

“If you’re a woodworker, a knitter, an embroiderer, or if you use a Cricut—our folks love to learn things like that,” Hobby said. 

Hobby further stressed the importance of community involvement and participation in Paladin’s events.

“When we do events like this, the people that come, I can’t thank them enough for what they do,” Hobby said. “They’re really supporting us. They’re having a great time. They’re making it fun for us, and I appreciate that.

For more information about Paladin, you can visit its website. If you are interested in more information about its Putt for a Purpose event, you can visit this page.