Jeffrey Gaines is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Raised by soul-music-loving parents, he studied drawing and painting as a child but became interested in singing during his teens, joining local cover bands. Gaines was signed to Chrysalis Records in 1990 and released his self-titled debut album in 1992, which featured the Band's Garth Hudson on saxophone, organ, and accordion. The first single, "Hero in Me," was performed live on Good Morning America and received radio and MTV airplay. His biggest success came from an acoustic cover of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes," which appeared as a b-side in 1992 and later became a surprise hit when re-recorded for his 2001 album Always Be.

Over his career spanning more than three decades, Gaines has released eight studio albums and toured with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tori Amos, Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge, Sting, Bryan Adams, Heart, Gregg Allman, Richard Thompson, Joe Jackson and Stevie Nicks. The Boston Globe declared that "Gaines' soulful, wounded vocals make a case for his being one of pop's finest singers." Known for his intimate live performances with just voice and guitar, Gaines has built a devoted international fan base with his emotionally resonant songwriting and powerful vocal delivery.

Hero in Me

In Your Eyes

Kristen Bales is an indie-alternative/rock artist, writer, and poet based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her voice ranges from the relaxed tones of Norah Jones to the powerful soul of Janis Joplin, drawing on roots in jazz, blues, rock, and soul. After beginning as a singer-songwriter in high school and working in Nashville as a booking agent and tour manager, she moved back to Indianapolis in 2016 to pursue her own music. She has released multiple projects including her self-titled EP "Kristen Bennett" (2012) and "Someone Else's Eyes" recorded at Gaither Studios (2013), and is the featured vocalist for the cover band Five After Midnight.

Beyond music, Bales discovered poetry during the 2020 isolation period, leading to her signing with Little Lion Press for her debut fantasy poetry collection, "The Forest Had Teeth." Her writing has appeared in various anthologies and publications, and she is currently working on her debut fantasy novel as the first of a romantasy trilogy. Bales also works as a music instructor and leads quarterly writing workshops in the Indianapolis area, building a community of poets, songwriters, and creatives.

My Mess

So Far Away

Indiana Wish is an Indiana-focused wish-granting organization established in 1984 as the Indiana Children's Wish Foundation, officially rebranding to its current name in 2021. The nonprofit's mission is to grant wishes to Hoosier children ages 3-18 who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Since its founding, Indiana Wish has granted more than 3,500 wishes to children in 88 of Indiana's 92 counties, making it the only Indiana-based wish-granting organization in the state and not affiliated with any other local or national wish-granting organizations.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Indiana Wish is funded through corporate donations, individual donors, and fundraising events including two signature events: Bourbon, Bling and Bowties and Christmas in the Kitchen. The organization has established two recognition societies: the Maribelle Society for those who have included Indiana Wish in their estate plans, and the Phoenix Society for partners who sponsor a wish every year. Research studies have shown that children who have received wishes have less distress, fewer episodes of depression and reduced anxiety, which can improve their quality of life, foster hope and resilience, and potentially lead to better health outcomes.