The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is major partner for Super Baskets of Hope
The Children’s Museum reaches out to sick kids across the country.
Riley Children’s Foundation, Baskets of Hope and former Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy have kicked off the first-ever Super Bowl host city service project that reaches across the nation. The Super Baskets of Hope project is made possible thanks to the generosity of Indiana companies, including The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Super Baskets of Hope will deliver 7,000 gift-filled baskets to critically ill children in each of America’s 32 NFL cities – including Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health – and cities throughout Indiana. Over 500 volunteers will gather January 30 in Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis to fill baskets with items that will provide entertainment and inspiration to hospitalized children. NFL players, coaches and alumni and other regional volunteers will deliver the baskets to children in hospitals.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has provided a spinning light up sphere toy for 500 local baskets to be sent throughout Indiana and museum postcards for each basket sent nationally. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. The 472,900 square-foot facility houses 11 major galleries. Visitors can explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts.
The baskets also contain: caps from Lids for every child’s home team; Notre Dame footballs; Colts water bottles; Indiana Pacers/Indiana Fever basketballs; Vera Bradley journals; software from Musical DNA; Pillow Pets provided by KLOVE radio in honor of the late Riley patient Jacob McConahay; Tony and Lauren Dungy’s latest children’s book; and five games from Fundex. Tote bags will also be given to families with spiritually uplifting and comforting books and CDs. A major donation from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans funded these items and U Design Jewelry donated unique “hope” necklaces for every tote.
For Dungy, this is a natural extension of the Basket of Hope program, for which he is the national spokesman. The program’s goal is to nurture hospitalized children mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But, as Dungy notes, “I think this program does as much for the volunteers as it does for the kids. To see the fight and resolve these children have is truly special. After these visits, we feel they’ve helped us see life more clearly.”
Riley Children’s Foundation Board of Governors Chair Jim Morris says Super Baskets of Hope extends Riley’s mission to advance the health and well-being of children everywhere. “Children facing a medical crisis need nurturing and comfort,” said Morris. “Riley’s red wagon has come to symbolize that hope for children in Indiana and throughout the country.”
For further details and to make a donation visit www.SuperBasketsofHope.org.
About The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences that have the power to transform the lives of children and families across the arts, sciences and humanities. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.com/IndyTCM.
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