Three women receive Sisters of St. Benedict’s Angels of Grace awards
By Natalie Hoefer
Throughout the Bible, three archangels are listed by name: Gabriel, messenger of good news to Mary and Zechariah; Michael, defender of heaven who cast the devil into hell; and Raphael, the traveling companion of Tobias.
The Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove have annually identified three women who have heroically served in the roles of messenger, defender and companion, and recognized their service with an “Angels of Grace” award.
The 2024 winners are Whalen’s Heroes, Inc., founder and president Dawn Whalen for the “defender” Angel Michael Award; The Chris Center, Inc., founder Nancy Elbert for the “companion” Angel Raphael Award; and Gabriel Project and ProVida volunteer Donna Kelker for the “messenger” Angel Gabriel Award.
The recipients will receive their awards at the Angels of Grace Awards Luncheon at Primo Banquet and Conference Center in Indianapolis on Sept. 28.
Following is more information about the 2024 messenger, defender and companion award winners.
Angel Michael Award: Dawn Whalen
In May of 2022, Whalen, a professional realtor since 2006, attended a continuing education class designed to help realtors in assisting military clients.
Inspired by their sacrifices—and those of first responders—she became inspired to help them beyond the realty realm.
Just one month later in June, Whalen launched a non-profit organization called Whalen’s Heroes, Inc.
According to its website, the goal of the New Palestine-based organization “is to improve the mental health and well-being of [veterans and first responders] serving our community. Whalen’s Heroes will assist with the fundraising for, the training, successful placement and support of service animals to show gratitude and support to those individuals who endure countless sacrifices to protect our community.”
As noted in her biography at benedictinn.org/angels-of-grace, Whalen chose this mission knowing that a service dog “not only helps the veteran, but in turn helps the entire family of that veteran. So, in many cases we aren’t just changing/helping one life—it’s many who will reap the benefits.”
Whalen, a married mother of two and grandmother of four, was raised in the former St. Bernadette Parish in Indianapolis, is a graduate of Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School and now worships at Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Beech Grove. She still works as a realtor and also serves as president of the Greater Beech Grove Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on Whalen’s Heroes, go to whalensheroes.com.
Angel Raphael Award: Nancy Elbert
Elbert knows firsthand the agony of watching a teenage family member suffer from mental health issues.
So, armed with her professional experience as a business entrepeneur and recruiter for leaders of corporations and non-profits—and with the help and wisdom of experts in the medical, mental health and animal therapy fields—she founded The Chris Center in Carmel, Ind., in 2021.
The non-profit organization provides “a place where teens can come to take a break from everyday challenges of life and find joy in the simplistic presence of animals and nature,” according to its website. “The Chris Center offers an innovative approach to teen wellness by connecting adolescents to nature and providing opportunities for human-animal interaction.”
It is named in memory of Elbert’s brother, who died in 2019 at the age of 55.
She officially retired from The Chris Center in January, but continues to serve as an ex officio member of the organization’s board.
The mother of three adult children is working on a master’s degree in counseling from Loyola University in Chicago and serves as a board of trustee member for University High School of Indiana in Carmel.
For more information on The Chris Center, go to www.chriscenterpaws.com.
Angel Gabriel Award: Donna Kelker
Starting in 1973, Kelker began work as a registered nurse in hospital departments from coronary care to intensive care to the recovery room, and as a surgical office registered nurse for 17 years.
She retired in 2013. Since then, she has used her nursing knowledge to help mothers and babies as a volunteer for the Gabriel Project at her home parish, SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi in Greenwood.
Since 1999, the Gabriel Project has striven in its mission “supporting women in unplanned pregnancies and conducting activities that promote the recognition of the dignity and sanctity of human life from conception to natural death,” according to its website.
Kelker has helped the organization in many ways, both in her parish and in general—including serving as a fetal ultrasound nurse on Gabriel Project’s mobile RV unit.
In her biography at benedictinn.org/angels-of-grace, she speaks proudly of her parish’s contributions to help babies and mothers through Gabriel Project, “including [donating] 10,000 diapers last year. The ministry has grown and works with local agencies and nearby parishes. We have also formed an active partnership with ProVida [“pro-life”] of St. Patrick Parish in Indianapolis,” for which Kelker serves as a board member.
When she is not volunteering with the Gabriel Project and ProVida, Kelker enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
For more information on Gabriel Project, go to goangels.org. For more information on ProVida, go to cutt.ly/ProVidaIndy.
(The Angels of Grace luncheon will be held at Primo Banquet and Conference Center, 2615 E. National Ave., in Indianapolis, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 28. The cost is $45, or a table of eight for $360. The event includes lunch, an awards ceremony, a fashion show, raffles for gift baskets and for a vacation at Lake Michigan, and a pop-up shop by Secret Ingredient Boutique. Proceeds benefit the Sister of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove. To register or to make a donation, go to benedictinn.org/angels-of-grace or call 317-787-3287, ext. 3033.) †