Hammond Gaming Advisory Commission awards $427,100 to local nonprofits

Hammond City’s Gaming Advisory Commission on March 26 approved grants totaling $427,100 to local nonprofit organizations, awarding funds to community groups, schools and arts and youth programs to support operations, equipment and outreach.

Councilwoman Katrina Alexander, chair of the Gaming Advisory Commission, opened the meeting and led votes approving individual awards ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. Alexander told the commission that “the grand total was $427,100 that we were able to bless organizations with,” and said the commission prioritized organizations with sustained local service amid a smaller funding pool than in recent years.

The awards included several larger grants: Toll Performing Arts Company received $20,000 for production expenses; the School City of Hammond robotics program received $20,000 for program costs and travel; Hessville Community in Commerce (HC3) received $15,000 for parade costs and building maintenance; and the Pulaski Park Neighborhood Association received $15,000 for landscaping and median repair. A number of school athletic teams and after-school programs received smaller grants for equipment, travel and facility needs.

Why it matters: Alexander said the commission’s pool of available gaming dollars is substantially smaller than in prior years, noting the commission once had “over 2 and a half million dollars to help fund many different groups” and this year had roughly 20% of that amount. The commission said it prioritized organizations that both demonstrate sustained local benefit and are not primarily funded by gaming dollars.

How the meeting proceeded: The commission took a single-by-single roll-call approach, with members making motions, seconds and recording “aye” votes. In several instances the transcript records named abstentions; otherwise motions were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance (approved awards; mover / seconder / noted abstentions when recorded): - 4 Quarters for Life Community Organization — $5,000 (motion: approve award to support sports mentor program). Mover: Tom Deverton; Second: Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - American Veterans Collection — $3,000 (food and holiday gifts for veterans). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: (recorded second). Outcome: approved. - Bishop Knoll Institute — $5,000 (technology and curriculum for BNI students). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: Councilman Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - Books, Brushes and Bands — $10,000 (reading, art and music programs). Mover: Sharon Zaney; Second: Katrina Alexander. Noted abstention: Melissa Ferrell. Outcome: approved. - Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana — $10,000 (expand STEM opportunities, professional development). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: Lori Zullo. Outcome: approved. - Community Center Development Corporation at Ophelia Steen — $10,000 (operational expenses and maintenance). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Department of Defense Honor Guard — $5,000 (uniforms and military funeral honors). Mover: Tom Deverton; Second: Sharon Zaney. Outcome: approved. - Eger’s Community Garden — $3,000 (create a community garden with student participation). Mover: Sharon Zaney; Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Excel Youth Programs — $5,000 (expose youth to career opportunities). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Family and Friends of Northwest Indiana Inc. — $1,000 (assist developmentally challenged individuals). Mover: Venez (recorded); Second: Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - Firefighters Monument Corporation of Hammond — $3,000 (grounds improvement). Mover: Tom Deverton; Second: Lori Zullo. Outcome: approved. - Girls on the Run Northwest Indiana — $5,000 (financial assistance for participants). Mover: Robert (recorded); Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Greater Hammond Community Services (DBA Community) — $10,000 (lawn care assistance for Hammond seniors). Mover: Sharon Zaney; Second: Roberts (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Hammond Boxing Club — $5,000 (operational expenses). Mover: Al Salinas; Second: Pharrell (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Hammond Central Boys & Girls Wrestling Team — $3,500 (headgear, tournament fees). Mover: (recorded motion); Second: (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Hammond Central High School varsity baseball team — $3,500 (purchase drop-down batting cage). Mover: Davidson (recorded); Second: Katrina Alexander. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Community Theatre — $4,000 (building sets). Mover: Zollno (recorded); Second: Katrina Alexander. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Community Watch — $10,000 (purchase Ring doorbells for the community). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: Al Salinas. Noted abstention: Venez (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Hammond Education Foundation — $10,000 (teacher grants, scholarships, Natural Helpers Program). Mover: Tom Deverton; Second: Al Salinas. Noted abstention: Katrina Alexander. Outcome: approved. - Ham and Hermit’s (playground/concession upgrades) — $5,000. Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Hispanic Community Committee — $3,000 (scholarship assistance). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - Hammond, Indiana Hurricanes Inc. — $5,000 (supplement spring/summer 2025 programming). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Mohawks Athletic & Conservation Club — $3,500 (support Memorial Day parade). Mover: Sharon Zaney; Second: Katrina Alexander. Outcome: approved. - High school girls’ basketball program — $3,500 (training equipment). Mover: Roberts (recorded); Second: Sharon Zaney. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Morton High School (boys basketball) — $3,500 (equipment). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Roberts. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Morton High School boys golf program — $3,500 (tournament and equipment costs). Mover: Pharrell (recorded); Second: Zullo. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Morton High School boys track program — $3,500 (track & field equipment). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Morton High School girls track program — $3,500 (track & field equipment). Mover: Vinesse (recorded); Second: (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Hammond Morton High School football program — $3,500 (new helmets). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Optimist Youth Sports — $5,000 (baseball field maintenance). Mover: Al Salinas; Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Hammond Parks Foundation — $5,000 (funding for community events). Mover: Salinas (recorded); Second: Zullo (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Hammond Public Library Foundation — $1,500 (purchase seven musical keyboards). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Zollno (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Ham and Red Hawks youth football & cheer program — $5,000 (secure storage lockup). Mover: (recorded); Second: (recorded). Outcome: approved. - HC3 (Hessville Community in Commerce) — $15,000 (parade costs and building maintenance). Mover: Venez (recorded); Second: Zany (recorded). Noted abstention: Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - Hessville Little League — $5,000 (new lawn structure, summer camp, commercial freezer). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Knights Travel Corporation — $4,000 (mentorship and music program development). Mover: Salinas; Second: Zullo. Outcome: approved. - Lake County Fire Chiefs Association — $5,000 (hazmat equipment). Mover: Dabberton/Deverton (recorded); Second: Venez (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana — $10,000 (Parents as Teachers program/building maintenance). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: Zullo. Outcome: approved. - Mount Zion A.R. Burns/Pleasant View Plaza (ministry outreach to seniors) — $5,000. Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Sharon Zaney. Outcome: approved. - New Hope 2 Community Center — $5,000 (audio/video equipment and handicap washroom). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Northwest Indiana Rugby Club — $5,000 (facilitate rugby league). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: Vinet (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Northwest Indiana Symphony Society — $5,000 (enable 500 Hammond students to attend concert for free). Mover: Zollno (recorded); Second: Andrea Edwards. Outcome: approved. - Optimist Club of Hammond — $5,000 (improvements to clubhouse). Mover: Salinas; Second: Zany. Outcome: approved. - Prom Genie — $10,000 (programming cost to provide prom dresses). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Robert (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Pulaski Park Neighborhood Association — $15,000 (landscaping/median repair). Mover: (recorded); Second: Zany. Outcome: approved. - Regional Health Systems — $4,000 (hotel accommodations for residents experiencing homelessness). Mover: Zullo; Second: Zany. Outcome: approved. - Rotary Club of Hammond — $3,000 (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference). Mover: Andrea Edwards; Second: Venez. Outcome: approved. - Saint Casimir School — $5,000 (new radios and security equipment). Mover: Pharrell (recorded); Second: Zany. Outcome: approved. - School City of Hammond Health Services Department — $1,000 (extra medical supplies). Mover: Venez; Second: Zany. Outcome: approved. - School City of Hammond robotics program — $20,000 (program costs and travel for competitions). Mover: Al Salinas; Second: Katrina Alexander. Outcome: approved. - Society of Saint Vincent de Paul — $1,000 (emergency financial assistance for Hammond residents). Mover: Zollno (recorded); Second: Zaynah (recorded). Outcome: approved. - South Shore Arts Inc. — $5,000 (programming to 375 Hammond elementary students). Mover: Salinas; Second: Venez. Outcome: approved. - Saint John AME Zion Church — $5,000 (new kitchen appliances). Mover: Katrina Alexander; Second: Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - Saint John Bosco School — $5,000 (new Chromebooks). Mover: Venez; Second: Andrea Edwards. Noted abstention: Al Salinas. Outcome: approved. - Saint Mary Byzantine Church — $5,000 (community activities and building repairs). Mover: Tom Deverton; Second: Venez. Outcome: approved. - Gatehouse in Hammond (furnishings for female residence) — $5,000. Mover: Zollno (recorded); Second: Katrina Alexander. Outcome: approved. - Toll Performing Arts Company — $20,000 (production expenses). Mover: Al Salinas; Second: Venez. Outcome: approved. - Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church — $2,000 (community events such as Easter egg hunt). Mover: Sharon Zaney; Second: Kim Roberts. Outcome: approved. - Beautification/flowers for Hammond public spaces — $7,000 (organization name recorded in minutes). Mover: Salinas; Second: Katrina Alexander. Noted abstention: (recorded). Outcome: approved. - Whiting Robertsdale Historical Society — $2,500 (preserve online newspapers back to 1894). Mover: Zollno; Second: Pharrell. Outcome: approved.

The commission also approved a single motion listing organizations that would not receive funding in 2025 (motion approved). The list of organizations not receiving awards—treated as a single action—included: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana; Freedom Center Indiana Inc.; Genius Guild; Goodwill Leads Inc.; Hammond Excel Center High School; Hammond Family YMCA; Hope Angels Fund; Jules the Women Ministry That Sparkles for Jesus; Living Water Missionary Baptist Church; Loveset Free Inc.; Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana; Northgate Church; Purdue University Northwest College of Engineering and Technology; Silver Stray Social; Skate America Fitness and Educational Development Corp.; South Shore Toy Project; TCA Health Inc.; The Go Church Chicago; We Network; Trios; Little Tots; True World Evangelistic Outreach Ministries; Tert Youth Organization; United Way; Forest Heights Community Garden. Mover: Al Salinas; Second: Tom Deverton. Outcome: approved.

Discussion vs. decision: Most of the meeting was formal motions and roll-call approvals. The substantive discussion recorded on the transcript was limited to Chair Alexander’s explanation of funding constraints and the commission’s prioritization criteria (length of local service, residency of boards and beneficiaries, nonprofit status). There were no programmatic conditions attached to individual awards in the transcript beyond the stated purposes.

Public comment and next steps: The commission opened public expression but recorded no speakers in the room and closed the public comment portion. The chair said two scheduled meetings would be canceled because the commission had completed its work for the 2025 funding year. The chair thanked members and the trustee overseeing the video feed.

Ending: The chair moved to dismiss the commission after concluding its business. The meeting adjourned following a motion to dismiss.