It’s the Little Things arrives on local nonprofit scene
This article is brought to you by Ivy Tech Community College in Kokomo.
The brash crackle of exhaust peppering steel pipes caromed across the crowd of onlookers before losing its anger among tall cornstalks. The sun dared the last wispy clouds of August to stand between it and spectacle below.
Everyone had come to see lawn tractors pull a weight sled down a dirt track, and dozens of the heavily modified machines and their riders stood by, waiting for their chance to entertain and perhaps pull the sled a little farther than the tractor before them.
It was a scene that delighted thrill seekers who relish the rumble in their chests caused by an unmuffled combustion engine. They sat upon lawn chairs and haybales, hoping to see something unexpected or unique; something to tell friends or co-workers about once the weekend had passed.
The event heralded the arrival of a new nonprofit to the Howard County landscape. It’s the Little Things of Howard County organized the law tractor pull and held a fish and tenderloin fry alongside it, all in the hope of bringing a bit of Christmas cheer to children in need later this year.
Founded by JoAnna Rodriguez, along with friends and family, Little Things is stepping in to help as other nonprofits fade away. As an employee of the Kokomo Housing Authority, she sees the need in the community a bit more often than the average person.
“I formed it to bridge the gap between the funding and the people in the community who are in need,” said Rodriguez. “I want to support initiatives like Cops 4 Kidz. We had been talking about creating a nonprofit to help with the need in the community for six or seven months, and then Goodfellows did not renew their contract for the benefit in December. It just kind of lit a fire under us, and we decided to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.”
The lawn tractor pull used to be organized by another nonprofit, but it dissolved. Rodriguez said the nonprofit’s founder reached out to KPD officer and Hawg Heaven owner Bruce Rood in May about finding a successor for the event, and he immediately thought of Rodriguez.
“Bruce has been involved in other stuff that I was doing, and I have gone to him for lots of mentorship,” said Rodriguez. “He called me, and I said we'd do it. And so here we are!
“I have a great group of volunteers. I could not have pulled this off without them, even though it fell into our lap. There are 20 people here who are just my friends, helping out.”
Little Things is starting small. Aside from the lawn tractor pull, the nonprofit helps with monthly fundraising dinners at the David Foster FOP Lodge. Rodriguez hopes that between the dinners and this event, they will be able to provide Christmas for as many as 100 kids this year.
“That’s almost 150 kids less than what we have done in previous years, but we have to start small,” said Rodriguez. “We’ll ramp it up. We are optimistic about this.”
She may have good reason for the optimism. Little Things is also in the planning stages for another fundraiser – the BIG Event on Nov. 14.
“The BIG Event will be at The Experience at the Kokomo Country Club,” Rodriguez said. “And we've hired The Time Travelers to perform. It typically has been called the Policeman's Ball, but we decided to rebrand it this year and invite the entire community.
“The whole community was always invited before, but with the old name, there's a stigma that it was just for the police. So, we named it The BIG Event.”
Rodriguez explained that the ball traditionally had been the largest fundraiser of the year for the FOP. COVID put an end to that, so Little Things will try to rebuild the event.
“We're trying our best to make things happen,” said Rodriguez. “The goal is not only to help with Christmas, but to help all year round; to have enough money to be able to help in the little ways that matter most.
“Maybe the police go on a call and find someone who doesn't have a bed. Instead of buying one and paying for it right out of their pocket, we'll be able to do that, as long as the board approves. We come across people every day who just fall through the cracks.”
Those worries, however, weren’t on the minds of the lawn tractor enthusiasts. They soaked in the sounds and sun, snacked on fish filets, and enjoyed the evening. If their presence and their money helped those in need, it was all the better for everyone; another little thing that might make a difference.
It’s the Little Things of Howard County was formed to promote community connection, dignity, and personal empowerment. It envisions a stronger, more connected Howard County, where no one is overlooked because of hardship or lack of access.
Through collaborative partnerships and compassionate service, it aims to be a responsive resource for families and individuals, ensuring that even the smallest gestures can create lasting impact.
For additional information, email littlethingsofhowardcounty@gmail.com.