Through Community Spirit, we are committed to...

• Supporting the efforts of those in our community who serve the needs of others
• Supporting community groups that help to bridge the gap between communities

The Indiana Pacers are now accepting applications for the Indiana Heroes Award presented by Veolia Water for the 2008-09 season.

The award, which is one of premier community outreach programs of the Pacers, serves to recognize Hoosiers who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others and who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community and our state.

Anyone can nominate a person who is making a difference, whether it be a neighbor, friend or relative who is a firefighter, policeman, rescue worker or just an everyday hero like a teacher, nurse or community leader making a difference. Read More ...

Each year the Indiana Pacers host over 550 men, women and children from area downtown missions for the "Come to Our House" Thanksgiving Dinner at Conseco Fieldhouse, with dinner prepared by Levy Restaurants.

Members of the Indiana Pacers, including players, coaches and training staff are on hand to help serve dinner, mingle with the guests, and provide goodie bags. Other guests include members of the Indiana Pacemates, Boomer and Bowser.

Everyone in attendance receives a Pacers tote bag, which includes a blanket, hat, gloves, socks, towel, washcloth, deodorant, handwarmers, toothbrush, toothpaste and soap, along with various other Pacers items. In addition, each person in attendance is provided a free ticket to attend an Indiana Pacers game during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Items for the Thanksgiving Dinner are generously donated by Indiana Fever player Tamika Catchings, Republic Services, Dick's Sporting Goods, Grabber Handwarmers, Hormel, Norbest, Marsh Supermarkets, American Dairy Association, Levy Restaurants and Finish Line.

The goal of the Thanksgiving Dinner is to provide a warm, home-cooked meal to those less fortunate in the Indianapolis area.

The 2007-089 season marks the 7th year for the "Come to Our House" Thanksgiving Dinner.

Each season members of the Indiana Pacers team and coaching staff, including mascots Boomer and Bowser, along with members of the Indiana Pacemates, visit area children’s hospitals to help lift the spirits of those children and their families.

Hospital visits include the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent, Riley Children’s Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital.

Team members are divided into three groups to enable visitation to all of the hospitals at the same time. In addition team members provide gifts to the children, including Pacers pillows, t-shirts, cookies, pictures, autographs and more!

The Indiana Pacers team up with Marsh Supermarkets to present the Marsh High Five Club at all home games during the Pacers season. Twelve lucky children are chosen each night from selected not-for-profit organizations to participate in the High Five Club, where they greet the Pacers team by forming a "human tunnel" as they run out onto the court for pregame warm-ups. Each participant in the High Five Club receives an official high five club tshirt and a Pacers goodie bag. In addition, participants watch pregame warm-ups from the team bench and participate in the Pregame Book Exchange.

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BOOK EXCHANGE

The Indiana Pacers team up with Clarian Health Partners to present the Pregame Book Exchange prior to every Pacers home game. Twelve lucky children are selected each night from children's not-for-profit organizations to participate in the book exchange, where they receive an autographed "Pacers Hoop City" book from a member of the Indiana Pacers team. The 2007-08 season marks the 11th year for the High Five Club and the 6th year for the Book Exchange.




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