Sold-Out Mix, Mingle, Make a Difference Fundraiser Sets New Fundraising Record

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program of Northeast Indiana celebrates record-breaking community support for resident advocacy

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program of Northeast Indiana celebrated a record-breaking evening of community support at its annual Mix, Mingle, Make a Difference fundraiser, with the sold-out event raising more funds than in previous years.

Held in recognition of Residents’ Rights Month, the event brought together community members, sponsors, advocates and supporters around this year’s national theme, “Join Us at the Table,” while raising critical funds to support advocacy for people living in long-term care facilities throughout Northeast Indiana.

“Thank you for showing up. Thank you for believing that the lives of people living in long-term care are worth showing up for,” Executive Director Zanzy Lewis told attendees.

The evening’s record-setting success will help support the Ombudsman Program’s work advocating for the rights, dignity and well-being of the 9,957 long-term care residents across Northeast Indiana.

Ombudsmen work directly with residents and families to address concerns ranging from basic care and medication issues to billing disputes, resident choices, relationships and quality-of-life concerns. Staff and trained volunteers visit facilities, participate in care conferences, investigate concerns, educate residents and families about their rights and help ensure residents have a voice in decisions affecting their lives.

“The work isn’t about rescuing people. It is about empowering them,” Lewis said. “It is about reminding people that needing care does not mean surrendering your voice. Getting older does not erase your rights. Moving into a facility does not erase your dignity.”

During her remarks, Lewis asked guests to imagine themselves later in life and consider the choices they would still expect to make… from when they go to bed and how they take their coffee to who they spend time with and how they receive care.

She also shared examples of the organization’s advocacy, including helping residents address medication and bathing concerns, understand confusing bills, access the outdoors and exercising their right to maintain personal relationships.

“Sometimes the most important thing we do is pull up a chair, look a resident in the eyes and ask, ‘What do you want?’” Lewis said. “Because those four words can give someone their power back.”

The “Join Us at the Table” theme carried throughout the evening, symbolizing the importance of ensuring long-term care residents have a place in conversations and decisions affecting their lives.

“Families gather around tables. Decisions are made around tables. Stories are told around tables. Problems are solved around tables,” Lewis said. “Tonight I am asking you to make room at this table for the 9,957 long-term care residents across Northeast Indiana whose voices deserve to be heard.”

Funds raised through Mix, Mingle, Make a Difference will help the program continue providing its growing mission. The organization has increased its staff and recently added new volunteers.

“Your gift tonight becomes advocacy. It becomes education. It becomes presence. It becomes a voice,” Lewis told supporters.

The record-breaking event also underscored the role the broader community plays in ensuring residents do not face challenges alone.

Lewis closed the evening with a message at the heart of the organization’s mission: “When a long-term care resident in Northeast Indiana asks, ‘Does anybody hear me?’ the answer will always be, ‘Yes, we hear you. We see you. You matter, and you will not stand alone.’”