March 4, 2005
The first year of the Peyton's Pals program implemented by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and his PeyBack Foundation ended in grand fashion last night with all 20 children receiving laptop computers as a graduation present.
The PeyBack Foundation worked with Child Advocates in Indianapolis to select 20 children, ages 11-14, to participate in a year-round program. The children were involved in one event a month. The purpose of the program was to provide monthly outings and activities to benefit at-risk children chosen from the client population of Child Advocates.
Activities included an overnight trip to Kings Island in Cinncinnati, getting gout of school for a trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dinner at St. Elmo Steakhouse, a viewing of the Lion King at the Murat Theatre, performing a community project for residents at Joy's House and much more.
"I hope we have shown each of you the opportunities that exist for you as you get older," Manning told the group last night. "I know life is tough on each of you. But you need to dream big and try to achieve your goals.
"Do not look back 10 years from now and say, 'I wish I would have done this or wish I would have done that.' You will have a lot of outside forces try to push in the wrong direction. I expect and I am rooting for each of you to do the right thing and chase your dreams."
Following 12 months of events, Manning and his Foundation held a party last night at the Indiana Sports Corporation's 12th-floor suite where the group enjoyed Papa John's pizza, received a scrapbook full of pictures from all the events, and most importantly, a new laptop.
"It was neat to see their faces when they opened the boxes," Manning said. "These children have had to deal with a lot in a short amount of time. We knew how much a laptop would mean to them. The greatest joy for me and the Foundation was seeing them smile at each event and leave here with new friends. That is our proudest accomplishment."
Manning has been involved with Child Advocates since his arrival in Indianapolis in 1998. It started with a flag football game at the Colts practice facility that is entering its seventh year with the upcoming game in June.
"They came to us with the idea of doing something once a month," said Cindy Booth, Child Advocates Executive Director. "Peyton wanted to be there, and kind of challenge the kids. He asked us if we could pick children. It would be the same group all year, and they would have a year's worth of activities.
"The neat thing is, most of the things that were their favorites weren't the most expensive things at all."
After meeting Manning at the first meeting over a year ago at Fountain Square, the children now look to him as a friend more than a football player.
"A lot of the kids, the first time they talked to them, they were real shy and didn't like to talk to the group," said Chris E. Faulkens, employee at Regions Bank and the lead Peyton's Pals chaperone throughout the 14-month program. "They forged friendships, and they've grown up.
'I talked to one of the kid's grandmothers today. She told me she used to have to go to school once or twice a week because he'd been in trouble. In the past year, she hasn't had to go."
The success of the first year program has Manning excited about the new group of Peyton's Pals that will be introduced to the program on March 22. The next group will be attending a Cincinnati Reds game, attend a Pacers game in March and plans are underway for a trip to Florida to a place the children will definitely enjoy.
"We are excited about the second year," Manning said. "We already have the majority of the events planned. We want to concentrate more on community projects and touring several universities just to show them what is out there for them. We do have a trip planned for a place in Orlando, Florida that I think will be the icing on the cake. I can't divulge where because the group is going to have to meet certain requirements."
Following is a brief look at the Peyton's Pals program in 2004
2004 EVENTS:
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Introduction at the Fountain Square where the children were treated to pizza and ice cream, and participated in duckpin bowling. At the conclusion of the event, each child received a Reebok gym bag, Reebok sweatsuit, PeyBack Foundation t-shirt, Reebok Tennis Shoes and other selected items. |
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The children were guests in a private suite at the RCA Dome for a Colts game. |
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Each child served as a volunteer at the 2004 PeyBack Foundation Holiday Celebration at the Children's Museum. |
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The group visited Joy's House, an adult day care center, in Indianapolis and received a wish list from each resident. The group went to a local department store and shopped for their adult. The Foundation hosted a pizza party at Joy's House where the group had the opportunity to present their gifts and socialize with the residents. |
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The group attended a Harlem Globetrotters game at Conseco Fieldhouse and had lunch at Jillian's. |
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The group had dinner at St. Elmo Steakhouse and traveled to the Murat Theatre for a viewing of the Lion King. |
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The group attended the Pacers first playoff game. Prior to the game, the group played games and had lunch at Jillian's. |
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In May, each child was dismissed from school at noon and attended practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sam Schmidt, former IRL driver, donated his private suite for the group. Peyton along with several IRL drivers spoke with the children. |
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The group, coached by Peyton, played a team made up of children of Foundation sponsors in a flag football game in June. Following the game, the group had a private barbecue in the Colts Pavilion. |
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The group went on an overnight trip to Cincinnati. The first stop was Bradford Woods where the group participated in a full day of team building exercises that included canoeing, fishing, and hiking. They had dinner at Dave & Buster's in Cincinnati on Friday evening where the children played games and ate ribs, pizza and a little of everything for hours. After a night at the Doubletree Suites, the next day was totally devoted to Kings Island. |
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The Foundation purchased tickets to the Norah Jones concert at Conseco Fieldhouse. Prior to the event, the group enjoyed a meal from St. Elmo Steakhouse. |
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In one of the most enjoyable activities, the group met for lunch at Smokey Bones in downtown Indianapolis for lunch. The group attended the World Swimming Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse. |
Quotes were used from www.colts.com.
