12/13/2005
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-6709 |
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Business community steps-up big to help Indy’s Homeless
Dozens of businesses and organizations make an estimated $60,000 in monetary and in-kind donations for Indy Homeless Connect
INDIANAPOLIS – As Mayor Bart Peterson today gathered with volunteers and service providers to aid Indianapolis' homeless, he praised the businesses and organizations that have stepped-up in a big way to answer his call for more involvement in the fight to prevent and end homelessness in Indianapolis.
Mayor Peterson today announced that dozens of private sector partners have chipped-in nearly $60,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to support Indy Homeless Connect, today's all-day event at the Indiana Convention Center focused on providing care and outreach for the homeless.
"Homelessness is a community-wide problem that touches all of us – from our businesses to our neighborhoods – and it will take broad, city-wide commitment to address it," Mayor Peterson said . "Our city is fortunate to have many great corporate citizens already dedicated to this effort, and Indy Homeless Connect has been successful in broadening this support."
Earlier last week the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, the charitable arm of locally based Wellpoint, donated $5,000 to help cover the cost of services and winter wear, which will be given out to the homeless today. Local health care provider Clarian Health Partners also committed $2,500 to pay for similar items for Indy Homeless Connect, and United Auto Workers Region 3 chipped-in more than $3,000 to support the event.
Some businesses have stepped in to provide their services, including Sprint, which is hosting a booth where homeless residents can place free phone calls to family and friends anywhere in the country. And George E. Fern Company, an exposition service contractor, donated more than $17,000 in services and materials for the set-up of the Convention Center hall where Indy Homeless Connect is being held.
[All sponsors are listed on the back of this press release]
"We thank all of the partners that have stepped-up to make Indy Homeless Connect possible," said Peterson.
Today's Indy Homeless Connect event features a wide variety of core services and essential items for the homeless free of charge, including medical care, food, vision care, legal advice, winter clothing and housing assistance. Non-essential, add-on services, like books, haircuts, youth activities and others, are also available.
The goals of Indy Homeless Connect are to connect the homeless to core services, increase awareness of the local homelessness issue, and engage the community at-large in the city's Blueprint to End Homelessness.
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