By: Seth Johnson
After several years of hosting the Through the Looking Glass Gala at the Renaissance Indianapolis Hotel, the Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation is excited for the unique opportunity to host our annual red-carpet fundraiser at the private estate of Forrest and Charlotte Lucas.
Located off 116th Street and Ditch Road in Carmel, the elegant, 33-acre estate was purchased in 2010 with the intent of being used for community events, explains Lucas Estate Event Manager Shelly McWilliams.
“They purchased the property, but it was not really for them to live there — they’re very modest folks,” McWilliams says. “So they bought the property because they thought they could let the community use it for free.”
Having known the Lucas Family since 2005 through her husband (who worked for Lucas Oil Products), McWilliams was brought on by the Lucas Family to be the Estate’s Event Manager in 2012 and has thrived in the role ever since.
“Once they started this venture to help the community and nonprofits, they asked me if I wanted to help,” McWilliams says. “I’ve got a business degree, so I jumped aboard. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people over the years and have done over 400 events at the Lucas Estate.”
Over the course of her time as the Lucas Estate Event Manager, McWilliams says she’s helped coordinate a wide variety of benefit events.
“Whatever their vision is, that’s what we instill and help them with,” McWilliams says. “Sometimes, it can be something as simple as a summer party, if it’s for a youth group or something like that. We also do galas, where it’s the topnotch, black-tie kind of event, and it’s beautiful and fun. And then, we have basic cocktail events — those are probably the majority.”
In order to be considered for an event at the Lucas Estate, McWilliams says nonprofits go through a multi-step approval process, with the final approval coming from Katie Lucas (the daughter-in-law of Forrest and Charlotte). “She looks over all of the philanthropic things that Lucas Oil Products is involved with all over the world,” McWilliams says of Katie Lucas. After a nonprofit has been approved, Shelly is then given the reins to help ensure the benefit event is a huge success.
“I just basically meet with them, do a site visit, and then I help them plan their event with valet, linens, and questions like, ‘Will that fit?’ Or, ‘Does that work?’ All the mechanical components to make sure their event knocks everybody’s socks off,” McWilliams says.
In reflecting on what she enjoys the most about her job, McWilliams says it all comes back to the people.
“I love giving back, and I love helping people,” she says. “That’s my calling, and it always has been. I’ve always been someone who loves giving back. I’m just that kind of person, and I think the Lucas Family has known that about me for years. It warms my heart and puts a smile on my face that in some small way I’m contributing something to help others.”
In looking ahead to IBCF’s Through the Looking Glass Gala on Sept. 28, McWilliams says she’s already had a great time getting to know the whole Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation crew.
“I’m so glad that the Foundation is having their event on Sept. 28 — I’m so excited about it,” McWilliams says. “All the people that I’ve encountered from the foundation are just the most amazing humans ever.”
Note: Tickets for this year’s Through the Looking Glass Gala are now officially sold out! If you were unable to get yours in time, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be put on a waiting list should any tickets come available at a later date.
