Colts, United Way and Indiana Wesleyan University to Unveil Colts-Themed Fitness Room at Wheeler-Dowe Boys and Girls Club
CB Rashaan Melvin & Teammates Host Ribbon Cutting as Part of NFL’s League-Wide “Hometown Huddle” Events WHAT: For over forty years, the NFL and United Way have partnered to strengthen communities across America. On Tuesday, October 24, the Colts will continue that partnership locally by teaming up with United Way of Central Indiana to host the annual Hometown Huddle event, presented by Indiana Wesleyan University. For this year’s event, the Colts and Indiana Wesleyan University helped create a fitness room at Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club as part of the NFL’s PLAY 60 initiative, which encourages youth to be active at least 60 minutes each day. The Colts-themed fitness room will be used by local youth each week to provide them with a fun and safe place to be active indoors. Colts CB Rashaan Melvin and a few of his teammates, along with representatives from United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis and Indiana Wesleyan University, will unveil the new fitness room during a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. The room is now painted to resemble the Colts locker room and features new fitness equipment, and Colts memorabilia. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Colts players and cheerleaders will join youth from Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club to get active in the new fitness zone by participating in fitness activities.The renovations were made possible through contributions from the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Wesleyan University, The NFL Foundation, and Fathead. This is the ninth consecutive year the Colts and United Way have renovated a fitness room as a part of their Hometown Huddle event – previous renovations include the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Keenan-Stahl Boys & Girls Club, LeGore Boys & Girls Club, Christamore House, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Lilly Boys & Girls Club, Riverside Park and Family Center, and Finish Line Boys & Girls Club. Hometown Huddle is just one of many ways the Colts have partnered with United Way to improve our community. For the eighth year, the Colts developed a strategy to expand United Way’s donor base by offering incentives to attract new donors who make a gift of at least $10. For more information on this effort, visit uwci.org/100.
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WHEN: Tuesday, October 24, 20175:00 – 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Wheeler Dowe Boys & Girls Club2310 30th StreetIndianapolis, IN 46218 WHO: Colts CB Rashaan Melvin & Teammates, Colts CheerleadersBrandon Cobb, Engagement Associate, United Way of Central IndianaBrad Grubb, Regional Dean for Central Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan UniversityTraneisha English, Unit Director, Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls ClubRob Hofinger, Board President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis VISUALS: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Colts Players, Sponsors and YouthColts-themed Fitness Room (pictures of the room prior to renovation will be available)Colts Players and Cheerleaders participating in fitness exercises with youth About Colts Community TuesdaysDuring the regular NFL season, Tuesday is the only day off players receive. As a result, the Colts utilize every Tuesday to engage their players in various charitable events and programs throughout Central Indiana. From school and hospital visits to youth football camps and holiday outreach, Colts players participate in a wide variety of “Community Tuesday” activities throughout the season. Colts Community Tuesdays are supported in part by CBS4. Follow the Colts throughout the community @coltscommunity on Twitter and Colts in the Community on Facebook. For more information on all of the Colts outreach efforts, visit www.colts.com/community. About NFL PLAY 60:NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and wellness with partner organizations. PLAY 60 also is implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. Since the program was launched in 2007, the NFL has committed more than $325 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for public service announcements. The NFL and its teams have built more than 200 NFL Youth Fitness Zones and integrated programs into more than 73,000 schools nationwide since the campaign launched. All 32 clubs activate PLAY 60 locally, with more than 2,000 NFL PLAY 60 events held annually. For more information, visit NFLRUSH.com. About Indiana Wesleyan UniversityIndiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church, which has its world headquarters in Indianapolis. The University was founded in 1920 and is committed to liberal arts and professional education. Almost 3,300 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the University’s residential campus in Marion. Another 10,500 adult learners attend classes at education centers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, and online. For more information, visit www.indwes.edu. About United Way of Central IndianaUnited Way of Central Indiana fights for the education, financial stability, health and basic needs of all people in Central Indiana by creating, managing and investing resources in sustainable solutions to our communities' most stubborn barriers to self-sufficiency. United Way invites all members of our community to LIVE UNITED by giving, advocating and volunteering to improve lives in Central Indiana. For more information, visit uwci.org. About Boys & Girls Clubs of IndianapolisSince 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis have served the Indianapolis community. With 13 Club locations, the Clubs provide programs for over 7,300 youth in the areas of career exploration and educational enhancement, citizenship and leadership, the arts, and health and fitness. For additional information, please call (317) 920-4700 or visit www.BGCINDY.org.
MEDIA CONTACTSStephanie Pemberton, Colts Marketingstephanie.pemberton@colts.nfl.netJessica Di Santo, United Way of Central Indianajessica.disantio@uwci.org"James "Rick" Whitten, Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolisjwhitten@bgcindy.org