Happy Friday! We're proud of everyone who got through a tough week and made it to today.

🌤️ Today's weather: Patchy fog, then mostly sunny. A high of 82.

🎵 Sounds like: "Sleeping In" by The Postal Service.

Today's newsletter is 1,125 words — a 4-minute read.

As Central Indiana digs out from historic flooding, a Hamilton County nonprofit is turning an extraordinary wave of volunteerism into organized aid for the people who need it most.

Why it matters: The White River crested at a record 24.6 feet in Noblesville over the weekend, leaving residents and critical infrastructure across the region facing a long, difficult recovery.

Driving the news: SERVE Village has transformed the Hamilton County Fairgrounds into a respite and resource center, as well as an easy-to-access collection point for community donations.

• The response has been so strong that SERVE had to temporarily pause taking donations earlier this week.

What they’re saying: “We need totes for people to put their belongings in. We need tarps. We need metal shovels … heavier duty stuff to get debris out,” SERVE Board President Michelle Schmidt tells Axios.

• “Another really big thing that we don't currently have any of is bug spray,” she says. “The mosquitoes are coming out. The flies are coming out. So we need those foggers and those bug sprays.”

By the numbers: Schmidt says more than 1,400 people have volunteered, while hundreds of residents have already come through the fairgrounds seeking assistance.

• She estimated roughly 500 people visited in a single day.

That desire to help with very little to give is what compelled Fishers resident Gregory Hicks to spend some time on Monday and Tuesday giving people free rides to the fairgrounds.

• “I got this old car and a lot of free time,” he said. “It’s the least I can do. But I hope it helps.”

Flashback: SERVE Village grew out of a Noblesville-area effort that began more than 15 years ago as SERVE Noblesville, bringing churches and community members together around volunteer projects.

What’s next

More than a dozen Noblesville families are still displaced from their homes after last week's historic flooding.

Why it matters: Southwest Noblesville was one of the hardest-hit areas in Central Indiana. As of Thursday, Noblesville mayor Chris Jensen said the estimate of damage and city expenditures had topped $10 million.

Driving the news: It's likely going to be a while before some families know if their homes are salvageable, let alone are able to get back in them.

• That stressful situation has been made just the tiniest bit better by Carbon, the Noblesville Fire Department's therapy dog.
• He's spent the week at the shelter, sitting with families as they check in and seek aid.

Zoom in: The 4-year-old English lab is one of three therapy dogs that are part of the NobleACT team, the city's mental health response program.

• The recent flooding is Carbon's first large-scale disaster but his owner, Noblesville Fire Department Division Chief Trevor Hash, says he's done beautifully.
• "He does a really good job," Hash tells Axios. "He just takes the temperature down."

Broad Ripple was largely spared from the worst of the flooding, but that doesn't mean the neighborhood wasn't impacted.

Why it matters: Indy showed up for the village this week, with droves of people making the monthly fun and funky Third Thursday into a show of support.

The big picture: While northern portions of Broad Ripple were evacuated and large portions of the Indianapolis Arts Center campus were underwater, most of the village was undamaged.

• Streets took on water Saturday — enough to make travel tricky and close businesses, but not enough to badly flood the shops and restaurants that populate the area.
• Neighbors gathered quickly to mitigate some of the worst flooding along a stretch of Cornell Avenue with sandbags and pumps.

Zoom in: When it became clear that the neighborhood missed the worst of it, the upcoming Third Thursday quickly morphed into something more.

• In addition to the regular pop-ups, vendors and live music, two dozen businesses signed on to donate a portion of their proceeds from Thursday night to flood relief.
• More opened their doors to serve as donation drop-off sites.
• "We're trying to get people out to support the local businesses to offset what the damage was financially on Saturday," Alissa Moody, co-owner of Create Art Studio and board member of Love Broad Ripple, which sponsors Third Thursday.
• And those in a position to donate to flood relief are doing so, she said.

What they're saying

🙏 Gov. Mike Braun said last night that the state should finish its application for a major disaster declaration from FEMA in the next "day or two."

• If approved, the declaration would allow individuals to apply to the federal government for aid. It could take a week or more to get a decision back from FEMA.

🎓 Indiana officials are pitching a "work first, degree later" postsecondary education model built on apprenticeships and on-the-job training that's aimed at getting students into the workforce sooner. (Chalkbeat Indiana)

🍕 Napolese Pizzeria is returning to the Fashion Mall. The popular restaurant announced it would renovate its former space and move back in, just two months after its closure. (Indianapolis Business Journal)

🏗️ Floodwaters filling the Martin Marietta quarry in Carmel have left some miners out of work as cleanup continues. (WTHR)

After setting attendance records one summer ago, the LIV Golf tournament has returned to Westfield for another championship outing.

Why it matters: With LIV’s ongoing financial problems casting doubt over its future, this weekend’s season finale brings high stakes for both the competitors and the company itself.

Driving the news: LIV Golf Indianapolis tees off Thursday through Sunday at The Club at Chatham Hills.

• 57 players will contend for the Indianapolis title, and final spots in the league's season-long standings.
• Missing from the lineup is live music. LIV pulled the plug on its concert series that would have brought acts like Disco Lines and Thomas Rhett to the stage.

The latest: LIV CEO Scott O'Neil remains confident that his company will return in 2027. He told reporters Wednesday that he “wouldn't bet against us” while pitching a smaller, revised league vision.

Reality check: This weekend in Westfield could be the last chance to see a short-lived sports league IRL.

If you go: One-day tickets are $45 for Friday, $50 for Saturday and $40 for Sunday.

• A weekend pass starts at $156.
• Kids 12 and under get free grounds admission.

Greek fest, Feast of Lanterns and more weekend picks

Our picks:

🐶 Arika got to pet Carbon and can confirm he makes ruff days a little bit better.

😵‍💫 Justin is EXTREMELY ready for the weekend after what felt like the longest week ever.