The 2025 Helping Heroes Fest will take place Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 as a fundraiser for Project Ebenezer. Image provided by Project Ebenezer.

News Release

WINONA LAKE — Many activities will take place during Helping Heroes Fest, which will be held Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20.

The second annual pickleball tournament will be held at Winona Lake Limitless Park, 1307 Park Ave, Winona Lake.

In addition, many events will be available for participants, friends and family throughout the weekend.

Activities will follow the same schedule and will be available throughout both days.

From 9 a.m.-3 p.m., there will be a large raffle with items for all ages. It is open for all to participate to try to win some prizes.

From 10-10:30 a.m., the police K9 unit will demonstrate odor detection and how the unit apprehends suspects.

From 11 a.m. to noon, Lutheran Emergency Medical Services employees will help participants build their very own first aid kit and learn how to “stop the bleed” with a wound packing activity.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. the activities tent will have arts and crafts activities to enjoy, including rock painting, coloring and bracelet making.

From noon to 1 p.m., the Warsaw Professional Firefighters Local Chapter 5461 will set up a challenging obstacle course for participants. The goal is to navigate it as quickly as possible.

From noon to 1 p.m., members of the Emergency Response Team and the Warsaw Dive Team will be on-site with their specialty emergency vehicles and tools specific to their specialty for everyone to have a close up view of both during the touring time. There will also be fire trucks and police vehicles open for touring.

From 1-2 p.m.,  the Kosciusko County Dispatch Center will have dispatchers on-site providing face painting and temporary tattoos. Community Assistance Resources & Emergency Services will also be providing hair tinsel in first responder-themed colors.

The park and splash pad are available all day as well as access to the park trails and the open pavilion. The It’s All Good Food Truck provided by Fellowship Missions and Kona Ice will also be available with refreshments for purchase the entire day.

A full schedule of events for Saturday and Sunday, including the ones seen here, will be available at projectebenezer.com and on the Facebook Page: Project Ebenezer in July. Raffle items will also be displayed. Like and follow Project Ebenezer to make sure you don’t miss this information.

All proceeds from the pickleball tournament support Project Ebenezer by going to directly support the mental health and wellness of Kosciusko County’s police, fire, dispatch and jailers. Register at pickleballtournaments.com to play in the tournament through Wednesday, July 16. The cost is $50 per person.

If you have questions about Project Ebenezer or the Helping Heroes Fest, email [email protected].