What does it mean for a business to truly be part of its community?

In this edition of WJOB Spotlight, digital marketing expert Matt Hansen discusses how businesses across Northwest Indiana responded to the recent major storm and what other business owners can learn from it.

Matt explains why businesses that stepped up to help — whether by providing food and water, offering space, helping employees, volunteering, or simply lending a hand — stood out during the crisis. While businesses don't need to make massive donations or turn their generosity into a marketing campaign, small acts of support can make a lasting impact.

The conversation explores how being present for your community isn't just good citizenship — it can also build long-term trust, loyalty, and relationships with the people a business serves.

Matt also shares why business owners should keep their finger on the pulse of their community during a crisis, first making sure their families and employees are safe before looking for ways to help others.

Hear how local businesses can become true community partners and pillars, and why people remember the businesses and entrepreneurs who were there when their community needed them most.

A major storm just ripped through the region, and roofers are now racing to keep homes, schools, steel mills, and commercial properties from staying exposed to the next round of damage. Scott Cooper of Local 26 breaks down what's hit hardest, how the recovery process really works, and why the workload is already stretching crews, suppliers, and apprentices.

The biggest surprise? This isn't just about shingles. From lakefront industrial blow-offs to school damage and blown-off fascia metal, the storm has created a wide-ranging repair crisis that touches nearly every part of the region. Cooper explains what crews are seeing on the ground, why some jobs take far longer than people realize, and how engineers, materials procurement, and manpower all have to line up before a property can be made dry again.

Cooper also makes the case for the roofing trade itself, sharing the pay, benefits, and career path that make it a solid option for younger workers who want real skills and real results. It's dirty work, but it's also work you can stand back from and say, "I built that."

If you want a grounded look at storm recovery from the people doing the physical labor, this is essential listening. It's especially useful for homeowners, business owners, school administrators, and anyone considering a skilled trade career.

Inside Henry Ford's Historic Hangar - Free Aviation Weekend in Lansing

A free, family-friendly aviation spectacle is landing in Lansing, and it centers on one of the most historic buildings in town - Henry Ford's original hangar at the Lansing Municipal Airport.

Michelle Henderson, events planner for the Village of Lansing, reveals how the Ford Hangar 100 celebration combines history, restoration, and big-time aviation energy into one unforgettable weekend. From a gala that launches a major capital campaign to a Saturday open-house expo packed with interactive exhibits, classic cars, legendary figures, and live aircraft action, this event is built to pull in everyone from aviation buffs to parents looking for a unique day out.

The weekend also features the Patriot Parachute Team, Daisy Air Shows, local aircraft flyovers, and tours of the hangar itself, plus a historic places motor coach tour for anyone who wants to go deeper into Lansing's past.

If you care about aviation, local history, preservation, or just want a free event that actually gives your family something memorable to do, this is the kind of episode that turns a calendar reminder into an outing. Visit fordhanger100.org for tickets, sponsorships, donations, and event details.

Hope Alliance is bringing the community together to break the silence and stigma surrounding addiction and overdose with its first-ever Overdose Awareness Event: "From Survival to Stability."

In this WJOB Spotlight, Jim Dedelow talks with Hope Alliance about the organization's outreach work and the realities facing people experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, substance use, and other challenges throughout the community.

The conversation explores the importance of harm reduction, recovery, education, and meeting people where they are. Hope Alliance emphasizes that addiction and overdose affect entire families and communities—and that starting honest conversations can help save lives.

The event will feature powerful personal stories, including a presentation from 15-year-old Damian Smith, who will share his experience with overdose and how it has affected his life. Another speaker, Mary, will share her story about losing her daughter.

Hope Alliance also discusses its efforts to engage young people directly, including a youth advisory initiative designed to give young people a voice in determining how organizations can better reach and educate them about overdose and substance use.

The goal of the event is simple: break the stigma, break the silence, educate the community, and remind people that recovery is possible.

🎙️ Featured speakers: Damian Smith and Mary
💜 Event: Hope Alliance Overdose Awareness Event — From Survival to Stability

Watch the full WJOB Spotlight to learn more about Hope Alliance, its outreach efforts, and why having open conversations about overdose and recovery matters.

Subscribe to WJOB 1230 for more WJOB Spotlights featuring local organizations, community leaders, and the people working to make a difference across Northwest Indiana.

#WJOB #WJOBSpotlight #HopeAlliance #OverdoseAwareness #FromSurvivalToStability #OverdoseAwarenessEvent #Recovery #HarmReduction #AddictionAwareness #NorthwestIndiana #NWI #CommunitySupport #BreakTheStigma

There's always something happening at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts, from Sunday brunches and family events to live theater, concerts, comedy, and holiday celebrations.

In this WJOB Spotlight, the team at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts talks about the return of its popular Back-to-School Brunch, which has been rescheduled for September 20th following the storms that impacted the Region.

The family-friendly promotion makes it easier to bring the whole family out for a meal: for every paid adult, two children eat free. The brunch features an extensive breakfast and salad spread, hot entrees and sides, a carving station, desserts, coffee, orange juice, champagne, and mimosas.

The conversation also highlights how the venue accommodates large groups and private celebrations, including birthdays, showers, family gatherings, and other special occasions. Groups can be seated together in the ballroom, while private spaces are also available for those looking for a more intimate setting.

The Center for Visual & Performing Arts is also a unique destination where guests can combine food, art, music, and entertainment. Groups can pair themed meals with performances, including holiday events such as this year's It's a Wonderful Life radio-stage reading.

Whether you're planning a family brunch, birthday celebration, holiday party, or night out at the theater, there's plenty happening at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts.

Watch the full WJOB Spotlight to hear what's coming up and learn more about the events and dining experiences available at the Center.

#WJOB #WJOBSpotlight #CenterForVisualAndPerformingArts #CVPA #BackToSchool #BackToSchoolBrunch #MunsterIndiana #NorthwestIndiana #NWI #FamilyEvents #SundayBrunch #LiveEntertainment #HolidayEvents #CommunityEvents

The Chicago Bears are stepping up to help Northwest Indiana recover from the devastating storms, donating $100,000 to Catholic Charities to support local storm relief efforts.

In this WJOB Spotlight, Jim Dedelow talks with Terry Seljan of Catholic Charities about how the donation will help residents across Northwest Indiana get back on their feet following widespread storm damage and power outages.

The $100,000 donation is being used to address some of the region's most immediate needs, including:

• 🍎 Food gift cards for families who lost food because of extended power outages
• 🏠 Assistance with insurance deductibles for storm-related home damage
• ⚡ Weatherhead repairs needed to reconnect homes to the electrical grid
• 🧺 Small appliances, including washers and dryers damaged by flooding

Catholic Charities serves communities throughout Lake, LaPorte, Porter, and Starke counties and is working to provide assistance as Northwest Indiana moves from storm recovery toward healing.

Terry also explains how residents who need assistance can contact Catholic Charities and how community members can help support the ongoing recovery effort.

📞 Catholic Charities: 219-886-3549, Option 2
📧 Email: outreach@catholic-charities.org

The Chicago Bears also made a separate $100,000 donation to Catholic Charities of Chicago to assist with storm-related needs on the Illinois side.

As Northwest Indiana begins the long road to recovery, organizations like Catholic Charities—and supporters like the Chicago Bears—are helping provide families with the resources they need to rebuild.

Subscribe to WJOB 1230 for more WJOB Spotlights highlighting the people, organizations, and community efforts making a difference across Northwest Indiana.

#WJOB #WJOBSpotlight #ChicagoBears #CatholicCharities #NorthwestIndiana #NWI #StormRelief #StormRecovery #IndianaStorms #CommunitySupport #StormDamage #NWIRecovery

The Ford Hangar at Lansing Airport is approaching its 100th anniversary, and few people know the historic structure better than author and architectural historian Chris Meister.

In this WJOB Spotlight, Jim Dedelow talks with Meister, author of Albert Kahn's Daylight, about the remarkable engineering and architectural history behind the Ford Hangar, which was designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn and built for Henry Ford in 1926.

Meister explains what makes the hangar so unique, from its enormous open interior to its suspended doors and ceiling tracks—and why the fact that the building has survived for 100 years is so significant.

The conversation also previews the Ford Hangar 100th Anniversary Celebration on September 18th and 19th. The weekend will feature a Friday night gala, followed by a family-friendly aviation expo and showcase on Saturday with parachute demonstrations, appearances by aviation legends Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, and a rare Ford Tri-Motor airplane.

📅 September 18–19
📍 Lansing Airport / Historic Ford Hangar
🎟️ Gala tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at FordHangar100.org

Whether you're interested in aviation, architecture, Northwest Indiana history, or just looking for a unique family event, this is a celebration you won't want to miss.

Subscribe to WJOB 1230 for more WJOB Spotlights featuring the people, places, businesses, and history that make the Region special.

#WJOB #WJOBSpotlight #FordHangar100 #FordHangar #LansingAirport #AlbertKahn #HenryFord #AviationHistory #NorthwestIndiana #LansingIllinois #Architecture #FordTriMotor