For the past seven years, Niles native Allison Hayes-Freeze Shelton has made a habit of doing good deeds alongside her daughter, Emery.

When a young Niles resident was facing cancer, Allison helped to make one of his dreams come true by building a treehouse for him to enjoy.

Last year at Christmastime, the organization made a donation and hosted a ceremony to celebrate the good deeds of Jubilee Ministries in Dowagiac.

When a Brandywine student lost his hair due to treatment from an illness, One Good Deed Michiana hosted a dance party for his classmates, and helped to shave the head of one of the student’s teachers.

These good deeds (and many more) are the product of Allison’s nonprofit organization, One Good Deed Michiana, which she launched in 2012 in memory of her late husband, Robert Freeze. Inspired by the countless acts of kindness she and Emery received in the wake of their family’s tragedy, Allison set out to recognize unsung heroes throughout Michiana by reciprocating with another good deed.

This Saturday, Michiana residents will have a chance to get in on the action when One Good Deed Michiana hosts a fundraiser at Iron Shoe Distillery in Niles to raise funds for the Niles Parks Board to help with updating the city’s parks system. 

Complete with live music (including an appearance by Allison’s husband, Mayor Nick Shelton), food and drinks, proceeds raised through the fundraiser go directly to One Good Deed Michiana’s mission of giving back good deeds.

I am so inspired by Allison’s strength and ability to take what was surely one of the most awful experiences of her life and transform it into a positive outlet that impacts the entire community. One Good Deed Michiana is an excellent example of how the cycle of giving is a domino effect: by giving of ourselves, we give to ourselves.

We often find that giving to others inspires them to pass along the good fortune, and Allison’s charity shines a light on those who give selflessly — not for recognition, but because they feel it is the right thing to do. Through fundraisers like the one planned at Iron Shoe this weekend, several organizations have been able to grow.

For a $5 cover charge, people can listen to live music, participate in auctions, sip on cocktails and beer and enjoy barbecue from 4 p.m. to midnight on Saturday. Niles reporter Beau Brockett and I will be serving beers from 10:30 p.m. until last call that night, and many other “celebrity bartenders,” will be behind the bar throughout the day including council members Jessica Nelson and Travis Timm, B100’s Deb Miles, Angelo DiCarlo, U93’s Bayless and Big Perm, and Mayor Nick Shelton.

As this fundraiser benefits the parks department, your “good deed” will enable countless others to make memories, get outside and play — and all you have to do is join in the fun!

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the general manager at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7700 or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com