FACE Time

When Mark Nolot set up his organic lawn care business, Lawnganics, he developed a credo to serve as its foundation: Safer, better, healthier — for families, kids and pets. It wasn’t a huge leap for him; he uses the same principles to guide his activities outside the company as well, particularly when looking for ways to help others.

Twice a year, Nolot identifies specific needs for which he organizes a Lawnganics-sponsored campaign to raise support and awareness. To amplify its effect, he looks for community partners like the Fort Wayne TinCaps who share a desire to help. In line with creating safer spaces for kids and families, Lawnganics and the TinCaps are joining forces to support the Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) Wendy Y. Robinson Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Center.

The FACE Center serves as the district office for FWCS student services. It’s a one-stop shop for families who need extra help to ensure their students have the support they need to achieve academic success. Such services include vaccinations, on-site clinics, college and career prep, 21^st Century Scholar program assistance, a clothing bank and resources for those experiencing homelessness.

Christian Perez Mora, FWCS families in transition coordinator, oversees the department that deals specifically with homelessness in the district population. “We constantly supply basic necessities to our students,” she explains. “My job is to ensure these kids have the resources, clothing, whatever they need to make sure their education isn’t interrupted.”

Any student in the FWCS district can request assistance through a case manager. In an average year, Perez Mora sees a caseload of roughly 1,000 students — this year the number already totals 1,200. The rising total puts a strain on scarce resources.

“We’re highly dependent on donations,” says Perez Mora. “Across the board, we need just about everything.”

For the FACE Center and specifically for families experiencing homelessness, “everything” includes school supplies, backpacks, and hygiene and household supplies. Clothing is in high demand as well; the FACE Center operates its own clothing bank that accepts new and used clothing in sizes from infant to adult, though socks and underwear must be new and in original packaging.

“We often help whole families, not just the students,” says Perez Mora. “It’s very important that we get adult and infant sizes, too,” 

When Nolot learned about Perez’s work with the FACE Center, he knew he wanted to support it. Working with Jenn Sylvester, corporate account manager for the TinCaps, Nolot’s Lawnganics will sponsor a themed baseball game on Sunday, July 23 to help shore up the center’s resources and benefit students in need. Two dollars from the price of each ticket purchased through a dedicated link (see QR code) will benefit the FACE Center.

At the game, fans can drop off donations of school supplies, clothing and backpacks at a Lawnganics kiosk in exchange for a free hot dog. A list of specific needs can be found on the FWCS website at fwcs.k12.in.us/clothing-bank. 

Fans are also invited to show support by making monetary donations, either through on-site collection buckets or a special QR code. For those who would like to learn more about the FACE Center and the services it provides, staff members will host a booth at the July 23 game.

Nolot and Sylvester are hoping to pull in more corporate sponsorship to extend their efforts even further. Nolot believes everyone has the ability to offer something; it just takes a willingness to dive in.

“If you feel strongly about something, don’t overanalyze it,” he stresses. “As business leaders, we have to grab onto something outside ourselves.”

Whether it's giving financially or in-kind, supporting vendors who align with one's mission or simply spreading the word, anyone can make a difference. 

Lawnganics is proud to support causes that align with its mission. Together with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Lawnganics is currently raising money to support Fort Wayne Community Schools Wendy Y. Robinson Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Center.

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