Indiana’s major sports franchises are donating $250,000 to storm relief efforts, after severe winds and historic flooding caused at least seven storm-related deaths and property damage across Indiana.
The Indianapolis Colts and Pacers Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever, will donate a combined quarter-million dollars to the American Red Cross, the aid organization that funds disaster relief and operates emergency shelters. The teams made the joint announcement Aug. 16, saying each organization will give $125,000.
The Red Cross is providing shelter, food and other relief supplies to Hoosiers affected by the flooding. The money will help ensure families have access to critical assistance and recovery resources now, said Terry Stigdon, CEO of the American Red Cross Indiana Region.
The organization is currently operating or helping to run 13 emergency shelters for displaced residents, Stigdon said. The Red Cross sheltered more than 200 people overnight on Aug. 15 and distributed about 4,700 meals and snacks.
“The American Red Cross was here before the storms hit, we are here now and we will be here for the months to come to help people recover,” Stigdon said.
Colts co-owner Kalen Jackson, an Indianapolis native, said the community needs to band together in the coming weeks and months, when the disaster no longer dominates the headlines.
“With devastation like this, right now it’s really top of mind, but it’s going to take months on end to recover from this,” Jackson said Sunday. “We just encourage people to keep this in mind and keep your fellow Hoosiers and neighbors and community in mind, and come together like Indiana does so, so well in times of need.”
The teams encouraged fans to visit redcross.org to donate or sign up to volunteer as they’re able. Households in need of shelter or other resources can also find help on the Red Cross website.
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Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts, Pacers donate $250k to disaster relief amid historic Indiana floods
Reporting by Jordan Smith, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jordan Smith, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
