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The holidays are a season of giving, so the Indianapolis Colts gave back to the Indianapolis community in December through a number of initiatives. According to the Colts Community Philosophy, the franchise is committed to improving the lives of the people in the Indianapolis area with charitable outreach and partnering with local organizations.
‘Shop With a Jock’
On December 17, linebacker Shaquille Leonard, a nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, held his second annual “Shop With a Jock” event in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis. Leonard took 50 children and their Christmas wish lists shopping for the afternoon on the northwest side of the city.
Leonard, who heads up The Maniac Foundation, discussed the importance of community and how Indianapolis has meant so much to him, saying it was time to repay the support the people of Indianapolis have given him since he was drafted in 2018.
“This is my opportunity to give back as much as I possibly can and show that I care about this city as much as they care for me,” Leonard said in an interview with Alexa Ross of Fox59.
Books for Youth
Since 2006, the Books for Youth program, a partnership between the team and Indiana’s Department of Child Services, has collected and donated over 900,000 books and backpacks to foster children. General manager Chris Ballard and his wife, Kristin, have fostered and then adopted two children. Fostering “takes a lot of time, it takes a lot of effort. So understanding what they’ve been through and being able to give them an experience a couple times a year that just eases life for them a little bit is something that we cherish,” Ballard told WTHR earlier this year.
Bloom Project
The Colts’ defensive line partnered with Bloom Project, which provides mentorship and outreach to minority males in Indiana, to give students business suits and other holiday presents. At the event at the Colts’ practice facility, defensive tackle Grover Stewart discussed his desire to help young men get ready for the real world. Earlier this year, Stewart was the recipient of the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year, presented by the NFL Players Association.
Bleed Blue
On December 17, the Colts held a holiday blood drive with all collections going to local hospitals and Indiana patients. In an event that directly contributes to the health of Hoosiers, the Colts partnered with the Versiti Blood Center for the 23rd year in a row. Fans who flocked to Lucas Oil stadium in downtown Indianapolis for the event were treated to appearances by Colts Cheerleaders and the team’s mascot, Blue. For their donations, fans received footballs and Colts memorabilia.
‘Colts Carolers’
Along with their charitable endeavors, the Colts made sure to spread some Christmas joy this holiday season as well. On December 18, safety Julian Blackmon and a few of his teammates partnered with Riley Hospital for Children to sing some Christmas songs to the hospital’s young patients. Blackmon, who dubbed the group the “Colts Carolers,” spoke about the importance of being in the moment with the children and to spread some holiday cheer with happiness and joy.
“If I can make someone smile today, that’s the biggest goal for me,” Blackmon said.
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