Get involved!
You can make a difference, and the township has opportunities to advocate, volunteer, and donate.
Don’t see anything that meets your interest and skills? Let’s talk.
Advocate
For a county park in Harris Township Contact St, Joseph County officials to request they develop their 110 acre parcel on Anderson Road in Harris Township into a park. The county parks department has owned the property for many years, but has no plans to utilize it as a park. Appropriate contacts are the head of the parks department, your County Council representative, and your county commissioner.
For a City of Mishawka park north of Day Road Contact the City of Mishawaka to request they develop public parks or green spaces in Harris Township. Despite annexing far north into Harris Township, the closest city park is south of Day Road. Appropriate contacts include the mayor, and the head of the parks department.
For common sense in taxing. Contact your state representatives regarding the local income tax (LIT) allocation process, which discourages budget reductions by tying LIT allocations to budget levels. Contact the trustee for more information.
Volunteer
The township currently has no full time employees, yet strives to provide free services to residents. If you have a skill and a desire to help, we may have an opportunity for you, and promise to be very grateful! Sample volunteer opportunities include:
Bluebird Box Monitoring:
Walk about a quarter mile along Gast Ditch at Harris Township Park at Brummitt Road with an experienced Audubon Society member who will show you the ropes and offer their expertise on birds and their habitats. Check on eight bluebird boxes to determine if nests and babies are present. Clean out the boxes as necessary.
Grounds Clean-up:
Pick up litter at any of four township properties: both parks, Salem Cemetery, and Harris Prairie Cemetery. It doesn't have to feel like work. Walking the 1 mile perimeter of Harris Township Park at Brummitt Road with a garbage bag in hand can be good for you, and even a bit fun! No experience needed. Garbage bags provided.
Communications:
Help the township reach residents by crafting marketing messages, authoring a newsletter, taking pictures, utilizing social media, building partnerships, or any creative approach. This is a great opportunity to gain experience while producing content you can showcase.
Construction:
Help plan or implement projects like a perimeter trail, education station, wildlife habitat, or improved landscaping. The more expertise you bring, the better.
Cemetery Maintenance:
Provide a little TLC to keep the historic cemeteries looking their best. Opportunities include headstone cleaning, plant tending, and general upkeep.
Cemetery Research:
Research the history of Salem or Harris Prairie Cemetery, or those buried there, or help improve cemetery records. No experience needed, but a background in genealogy would be helpful for some of the more advanced opportunities. This position might provide for the opportunity to get paid as a township historian, under the right circumstances.
Opportunities can be tailored to your skills and schedule. Contact the township to discuss any of these positions, or another for which you have passion. Please commit to finishing whatever you start.
Your donations to Harris Township are most likely tax-deductible.