Local couple creates web series promoting volunteer efforts

Amanda and Sean Kennedy of Greencastle stand in front of their trusty blue 1992 Ford Econoline van, for which they have titled their documentary web series, "The Blue Van Project."

A Greencastle couple's Blue Van Project is a web series documenting the travels of two young adults living in a van, volunteering with various nonprofit organizations and advocating volunteerism across America.

Sean and Amanda Kennedy have started the web series infused with the faith that they can lend a hand to anyone who needs it, and that people will be inspired to get involved in their own communities.

"Travel and videography are a huge part of our lives," Amanda Kennedy, a Greencastle native, said, "and we are hoping to combine these passions with our love of helping others as we work on The Blue Van Project."

If The Blue Van Project proves successful it will benefit countless organizations and causes across the United States, the Kennedys said.

"This means that organizations in peoples' own communities will be receiving more volunteers, more donations and more funding. People will be exposed to new opportunities to get involved in their own back yards, which will improve cities across the nation," they added.

The project gets its title from the blue 1992 Ford Econoline van that carries the Kennedys from location to location.

New episodes will be published every two weeks. The opening week is spent volunteering for a cause or non-profit organization and the second week is spent traveling to the next location and editing footage to be published online.

Each episode includes a promotion for that week's cause or nonprofit, interviews with people about volunteering, tips on getting involved in your community and footage from living on the road.

The Blue Van Project recently finished filming its first episode with Hope Haven Horse Farm near Stilesville and intends to crisscross the country in the coming year.

Hope Haven was selected for the Kennedys' first project because while they were not familiar with it, it is located just outside Amanda's hometown.



"We were wondering if other people (locally) knew about it," Sean suggested.

The horse farm on the south side of U.S. 40 at the Putnam-Hendricks county line offers therapeutic horseback riding for people with a variety of handicaps. Volunteers are essential to the program and aid the riders and also assist in providing care of horses and equipment.

The couple's initial video includes interviews with staff and volunteers at Hope Haven, while also suggesting ways to donate to the organization.

The couple begin each project by volunteering for a week for a cause of nonprofit organization, followed by the process of editing the video footage to be posted online, while they travel on to the next location. They plan to publish episodes every two weeks.

The first season will include six months of travel and feature approximately 12 local organizations and causes across the nation.

For more information on The Blue Van Project or to make a donation, persons may visit www.TheBlueVanProject.com.