FEVER: Indy Chamber and Indiana Fever Collaborate on INSPIRE INDY

Indy Chamber and Indiana Fever Collaborate on INSPIRE INDY

Program to raise funds for Common Goal while competing for reading and learning center

New Release | May 19, 2009

The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Fever are teaming up for Marion County students. Mayor Greg Ballard joined Chamber President Roland Dorson and Fever player Katie Douglas to announce a collaboration on the INSPIRE INDY initiative to benefit the Chamber’s Common Goal program. The initiative includes the opportunity to win $25,000 toward resources for a community reading and learning center at Shepherd Community Center, courtesy of the WNBA Toyota Project Rebound.

The WNBA Toyota Project Rebound is a community outreach initiative driven by ticket sales. The Indiana Fever chose the Chamber’s Common Goal program as a direct beneficiary of ticket sales tied to INSPIRE INDY. Common Goal is a community-wide education initiative, spearheaded by the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, aimed at raising Marion County’s high school graduation rate from 70 to 80 percent by 2012 through the use of six specific dropout interventions.

“Common Goal has seen tremendous support from the community. INSPIRE INDY is just one of the ways the Fever and the Pacers have shown their true commitment to the success of Marion County high school students,” said Dorson. “It’s now up to the rest of the community to help make the Fever winners and help our students graduate and improve their future opportunities.”

“What I see when I visit our schools are children who want a chance to learn, a chance to achieve, and a chance to succeed. Common Goal is giving them that chance,” said Ballard.

For every $20 ticket purchased for one of five specific Fever games in June and July, $6 will be donated to the Common Goal project. For every $14 ticket, $4 will be donated to Common Goal. The WNBA team to sell the most group tickets toward Toyota Project Rebound will receive up to $25,000 worth of books, computers and signage for a new reading and learning center in their community.

“This project truly embodies what the WNBA, the Indiana Fever and Pacers Sports and Entertainment stand for – and that is winning and serving our community,” said Kelly Krauskopf, chief operating officer and general manager, Indiana Fever. “I would love to win this contest and show all other WNBA markets that Indianapolis always rises to a challenge. Winning involves great teamwork – and we are proud to team with Common Goal, the Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Ballard on this important community initiative.”

Tickets may be purchased at FeverBasketball.com. Fans are encouraged to visit the INSPIRE INDY link and enter the password, Inspire, when placing the order.