Citizenship
Through Citizenship, we are committed to…
- Supporting the efforts of those in our community who serve the needs of others
- Supporting community groups that help to bridge the gap between communities
Indiana Heroes
As part of the Pacers Sports & Entertainment's Citizenship Initiative, the Indiana Pacers and Veolia Water present the Indiana Heroes Award.
One of the premier community outreach programs of the Pacers, the Indiana Heroes program serves to recognize Hoosiers who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others and who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community and our state.
Anyone can nominate someone who is making a difference, whether it is a neighbor, friend or relative who is a firefighter, policeman, rescue worker or just an everyday hero like a teacher, nurse or community leader making a difference.
Each award recipient receives four tickets to a Pacers' home game, where they are recognized during a special on-court presentation. In addition, each recipient also receives a "medal of honor" and commemorative photo recognizing their humanitarian spirit.
To see a list of this year’s Indiana Heroes, click here.
Well Dunn Award
As part of our commitment to the community, the Indiana Fever and Harrison College recognizes Indiana citizens who have done well in the community.
For more information on this program and to nominate an individual for the Well Dunn Award, log on to FeverBasketball.com.
SEASON OF GIVING
As part of the Pacers Sports & Entertainment's Citizenship Initiative, the Indiana Pacers celebrated a "Season of Giving" during the each year with a variety of community outreach efforts throughout the month to give back to the community that has given so much to us.
The 2009-10 Season of Giving include events such as the "Come to Our House" Thanksgiving Dinner, Children's Hospital Visits, Catch the Holiday Fever, Coat Drive, and Shop with a Pacer.
Come to Our House Thanksgiving Dinner
The Indiana Pacers and Pacers Foundation continued a holiday tradition when team members T.J. Ford and Dahntay Jones, in partnership with U.S. Foodservice, welcomed more than 600 men, women and children from Indianapolis area missions and shelters to Conseco Fieldhouse for the annual "Come To Our House" Thanksgiving dinner.
The dinner, prepared by Levy Restaurants, was held in the Clarian Health Entry Pavilion of Conseco Fieldhouse on Thursday, November 19. Members of the Pacers' coaching and training staff, along with Boomer and the Pacemates, joined players in helping to serve dinner, mingle with guests and fill goody bags. Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever donated hats and gloves for the bags.
Everyone in attendance received a Pacers' tote bag, which included a Pacers' blanket, hat, gloves, socks, towel, washcloth, deodorant, handwarmers, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and ear wraps. Each person in attendance also received two tickets to the Pacers' game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Nov. 25.
In addition to Ford, Jones, Catchings, Pacers Foundation, U.S. Foodservice and Levy, event sponsors include the American Dairy Association, Finish Line, Kroger and Dick's Sporting Goods. Centers and missions invited include The Julian Center; Shepherd Community Center; Wheeler Mission Ministries; Good News Mission; Holy Family Shelter; Horizon House, Sheltering Wings; Dayspring Center, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Restoring Lives West.
Children's Hospital Visits
Each year, members of the Indiana Pacers team, along with Boomer and members of the Indiana Pacemates visit area children's hospitals to help spread a little "love and cheer" during the holidays. Hospital visits include Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent, Riley Children's Hospital, Methodist Children's Hospital and Community Hospital North.
The team members are divided into groups to enable visits to all of the hospitals at the same time. Each patient receives special gifts and the opportunity to take a photo or get an autograph from their favorite player, mascot or Pacemate.
Catch the Holiday Fever Christmas Program
Each year the Catch the Stars Foundation and Pacers Sports & Entertainment provide holiday cheer for 100 underserved Indianapolis youth.
Gifts are purchased through Catch the Stars Foundation donors and Pacers Sports & Entertainment staff and players based on a "wish list" provided by the United Christmas Service. Gifts are then distributed to the youth at a Christmas Party at Conseco Fieldhouse hosted by Tamika Catchings, followed by an evening at an Indiana Pacers game.
Shop With a Pacer
Each year, members of the Indiana Pacers host a group of youth for an evening of shopping at Dick's Sports Goods. Youth are provided a $200 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card to spend on any item in the store, with shopping "advice" provided by Pacers players.
Coat Drive
Each year the Indiana Pacers, Dick's Sporting Goods, Republic Services and 1070 The Fan team up to collect coats to benefit the Homeless Initiative Program of Indianapolis.
Fans donating a new or gently used coat receive one ticket per coat (maximum two tickets per person) to a select Pacers game.
Pacers players, Mascots, Pacemates and the Pacers Fan Van are involved in the coat collection and ticket distribution at select Dick's locations.
Officers of the Month
Each month during the Pacers season, the Indiana Pacers recognize the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officers that were awarded the Officer of the Month for each district, including the Investigations and Tactical Operations Divisions.
These offers are provided tickets to the game and customized jersey as a thank you for their dedicated service to the city of Indianapolis.
Kroger High Five Club
As part of the Pacers Citizenship Initiative, the Indiana Pacers team up with Kroger to present the Kroger High Five Club at all home games during the Pacers season.
Twelve lucky children are chosen each night from selected not-for-profit organizations to participate in the High Five Club, where they greet the Pacers team by forming a "human tunnel" as they run out onto the court for pregame warm-ups. Each participant in the High Five Club receives an official high five club t-shirts and a Pacers goodie bag.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment Community Service Days
As part of Pacers Sports & Entertainment's Citizenship Initiative and the Pacers Foundation's Community Partnerships, the employees of PS&E participate in a variety of "Community Service Days" throughout the year.
This program is meant to emphasize one of the Core Purposes of PS&E – Serving Community by organizing four days per year when we "Outreach Together" as a company.
This program builds upon the work of the Community Relations Department and the Pacers Foundation. It allows employees to contribute in a real and consistent way to our community and brings the company together in a positive way to help others within our community
Since its inception in 2008, the staff of PS&E has contributed to organizations that include
Donations
As part of the Pacers & Fever Citizenship initiative, merchandise donations are provided to non-profit events & fundraisers, based on our Merchandise Donation Policy.
For more information on our merchandise donation policy or to submit a request, log on to PacersMVP.com/donate for Pacers and FeverMVP.com/donate for Fever.
Community Ticket Blocks
Kids love going to a professional sports event. For many of our kids, at risk or not, they might never get a chance to see the Pacers or Fever in action. A night out with a chaperone and a group of friends lets them see on-court athletic achievement. And it might just turn out to be instructive about the benefits of determination and perseverance.
All we know is that the kids have fun and laugh and let us into their lives for a night. And for us, that's a good start.
Our Community Ticket Block Program is open to all non-profit organizations. To request complimentary tickets through this program, you must provide your Tax ID #.
For groups looking for more than the allotted 20 tickets and/or looking to attend more than one Pacers or Fever game, please click here or contact the Ticket Sales Department at (317) 917-2500.
Community Ticket Block Policies
SCHOLARSHIP & GRANTS
As part of Pacers Sports & Entertainment's Citizenship Initiative, the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever and the Pacers Foundation provides Scholarships, Grants, Community Partnerships and tickets to assist students and non-profit organizations in achieving their goals. Included in these programs are the Be Tolerant Grant and the Be Charitable Community Partnership.
For more information on the Pacers Foundation, visit Pacers Foundation
Be Tolerant
Based on a statewide community-needs assessment study, the Be Tolerant grant is one of five funds that target the most pressing issues facing our kids today.
Almost 30 percent of teens in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both, and children who bully are more likely to report that they own guns for risky reasons, such as to gain respect or frighten others, according to the American Medical Association.
Of hate crimes reported in 2005, 55 percent were motivated by a racial bias, 17 percent were triggered by a religious bias, 14 percent were motivated by a sexual-orientation bias, and 13 percent of the incidents were motivated by an ethnicity/national origin bias. Almost two-thirds of reported attacks were committed by individuals under the age of 24.
The Pacers Foundation supports the efforts of Indiana groups that teach tolerance and respect for diversity; focus on breaking down racial, ethnic, religious and other barriers by bringing youth from "all walks of life" together and exposing youth to cultures and "ways of life" other than their own; and carry out anti-bullying and anti-stigma programs.
As such, school-based programs, faith-based programs, and other non-profit organizations focused on encouraging youth to Be Tolerant should consider applying. This does not mean, however, that we will not fund other types of organizations focused on teaching tolerance. The bulleted points above simply refer to our priorities in this area.
For more information on the Be Tolerant Grant of the Pacers Foundation, visit Pacers Foundation
Be Charitable
One of our flagship community partnerships is a partnership between the Pacers Foundation and The LEAGUE . Be Charitable is a school-based program designed to teach kids about philanthropy and encourage volunteerism.
By teaching our kids to "give back" we are raising our next generation to not only help others, but help themselves too. Now in 160 schools statewide, this winning program is giving thousands of kids a winning shot in life.
For more information on the Be Charitable Community Partnership, visit Pacers Foundation
