Earth Day at the JCC

Earth Day at the JCC Indianapolis

Join JCC Indianapolis on the front lawn and parking lot of the Max and Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus for Earth Day at the J on Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 1-4 pm. Rain or shine; pets on leashes are welcome! Please note that our celebration is not on the nationally designated day of April 22 and that bags will be checked at welcome tents.

This free Earth Day festival is made possible with support from AES Indiana, Citizens Energy Group, and many others who share the common goal of protecting the earth and its resources. Participating organizations share the Earth Day belief that sustainability is the path to prosperity.

See the Earth Day event map

2024 Event Highlights

    • All your favorite earth-friendly organizations will be here with interactive demonstrations and hands-on Earth Day activities centered around sustainability and going green.
    • Arts with a Purpose will have hands-on visual activities for children of all ages.
    • Farmers Market by Indiana Owned
    • Food trucks and beer garden, along with the J Cafe supplying kosher food.

Volunteer at Earth Day at the J

    Earth Day at the J would not be possible without the help of volunteers who ensure the event runs smoothly from setup to teardown and the time in between. Sign up to prep the space before and after the event, welcome exhibitors and guests (and check any bags), check IDs for people entering the 21+ alcohol area, and ensure food trucks, farmers market and other vendors have everything they need.


All Together Now!

More than 5,000 people of all backgrounds and faiths are expected to stop by and celebrate sustainability and going green. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods by investing in our planet. The event is FREE.

Sustainability Is a Core Value

A core Jewish value is tikkun olam, Hebrew for repairing the earth or making the world a better place. It is a natural fit for the JCC to celebrate this day as its signature event for the Indianapolis community.

Parking

Parking is available onsite at the JCC. The event is in front (west). And there will be ample parking available in back (east).

2024 Organizations On-Site

    As of May 14, 2024
    • 80 Acre Farm (learn about the farm through touch and taste)
    • AES Indiana (two electric vehicles onsite; energy efficiency)
    • Aetna 
    • Alpha Chi Sigma
    • American Red Cross (hands-on CPR)
    • Arts with a Purpose
    • Bath Experts, LCC – Jacuzzi Bath Remodel
    • CANDLES Holocaust Museum (meet Alex Kor [son of Eva] who will be promoting his new book)
    • Carmel Clay Parks (animal skins and model skulls of native animals to Indiana)
    • CCA Sports (Circle City Athletics – Bozo Bucket game to win flower seed packets)
    • Chiro One Wellness Center
    • Circular Indiana (How Do I Dispose of This? re: plastics)
    • CIRTA/Commuter Connect (toy cars and trucks to show importance of carpooling)
    • Citizens Climate Lobby (legislation info on climate change)
    • Citizens Energy Group (water conservation, Earth Day every day)
    • City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability (household waste questionnaire)
    • Congregation Beth-El Zedeck
    • Congregation Beth Shalom (plant-a-seed Earth Day bookmarks)
    • Eagle Creek Apiary (full show of local honeybees season)
    • Eskenazi Health Center
    • Girl Scouts of Central Indiana (hands-on activities from environmental curriculum; Girl Scouts can earn a badge!)
    • Global Gifts (fair trade vendor)
    • Grassroot Projects (create cards with kind words)
    • Hasten Hebrew Academy
    • Hoosier Environmental Council
    • Hooverwood Living (grab-a-grow kit to grow veggies)
    • Illuminate ABA Therapy (upcycle craft – egg carton caterpillar)
    • Indiana Department of Environmental Management (Indy’s E-cycle program)
    • Indiana Diaper Bank
    • Indiana Jewish Discovery Center (protecting the Earth through religious activities)
    • Indiana Jewish Historical Society
    • Indiana Owned (mini farmers market)
    • Indiana Park Alliance (hiking and other recreational activities at state parks and nature preserves)
    • Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (public input on climate pollution reduction)
    • Indianapolis Public Library Bookmobile
    • J Cares (JCC community service committee; neighborhood clean-up [three 45-minute sessions])
    • JumpBunch (obstacle course)
    • Kiwanis Club (rewire the brain for happiness; activities based on mindfulness, positive psychology, neuroscience)
    • Mud Creek Conservancy
    • Nine13sports (stationary bikes video game)
    • PJ Library (book activity)
    • SeaScope (The Earth is Blue kids trivia game)
    • Seeds of Caring
    • The Dirt Bar
    • Unique Home Solutions (home improvement information)
    • Watercolor Society of Indiana (paint a bookmark)
    • Wildergarden, Inc. (children’s activity; photo exhibit of Wildergarden)
    • Woods on Wheels

2024 Food and Beverage Trucks

    As of May 8, 2024
    • Ritters Frozen Custard
    • Mr. and Mrs. Hot Dog
    • Nicey Treat
    • Vino Mobile Bar
    • Backdraft Tap Truck
    • Garnacha Spot
    • Taste of Manila
    • Tapestry Coffee
    • Combos
    • Pastabilitiez
    • Pierogi Love Indy
    • J Cafe

2024 Earth Day at the J Sponsors (as of May 10, 2024)

Presenting Sponsors

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Contributing Sponsors

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Supporting Sponsors

Renny and Greg Silver

Darshan Soni

   

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Partnering Sponsors

 

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Media Sponsors

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Activity Sponsors

     

Shelley and Marshall Kahn
The Cantu Family
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Family Sponsors

Linda and Jon Abels
Diane and John Abrams
Nancy and Brad Bell
Olivia and Abe Benson
Janine and Alan Bercovitz
Katy and Dan Cantor
Jennifer and Jeff Cohen
Whitney and Blake Coker
Linda and Bruce Frank
Kathleen and Ben Grande
Mary and Mark Grove
Emily and Andy Hawickhorst
Jody and Sheldon Hirst
Abby and David Katz
Key Bank
Nancy and Gary Koppel
Becky Miller and Michael Bernstein
Judy and Kent Newton
Rita and Keith Pitzele
Sarah and Eric Ratner
Jamie Ratner Rich and Jason Rich
Karen and Mike Rothbaum
Kate and Danny Rothenberg
Betsy Sommers
George Taylor
Ally Weiss and Seth Mihlfeld
Robin and Rick Weiss
Ashley Youmell

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Thanks to our other individual donors who helped make an impact this Earth Day!

Sponsors as of May 10, 2024

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