Eighteen Youth-Serving Organizations to Receive 2015 Susan Williams CHAMPS Grants from Indiana Sports Corp
For Immediate Release: April 23, 2015
Contact: John Dedman, Indiana Sports Corp, (317) 237-5016
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Eighteen youth-serving organizations throughout Indiana have been selected as Susan Williams CHAMPS (Champions in Life) Grant recipients, awarded annually by Indiana Sports Corp.
Susan Williams CHAMPS Grants support organizations that provide underserved youth with the opportunity to participate in sports, fitness activities and life skills programming. The Susan Williams CHAMPS Grants are funded by the net proceeds of the annual Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament and contributions by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, Samerian Foundation, and United Water.
In September of 2012, Indiana Sports Corp renamed the CHAMPS Grant Program to the Susan Williams CHAMPS Grant program. The renaming recognizes the significant contributions of Susan Williams, who retired as the president of Indiana Sports Corp after more than seven years in the position. At Indiana Sports Corp, Williams made impacting the lives of youth a priority, helping to grow the number of youth influenced by Sports Corp programming significantly.
“Indiana Sports Corp’s mission includes encouraging opportunities for the young people in our community,” said Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp president. The ability to support organizations that teach life skills and promote fitness through sports is a key initiative in fulfilling that mission. We greatly appreciate what these organizations do for young people each and every day, and we are proud to contribute to their impact.”
This year, grants have been awarded to organizations serving youth in the following Indiana counties: Boone, Clay, Delaware, Dubois, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Jefferson, Johnson, Lake, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan, Monroe, Madison, Morgan, Putnam, Randolph, Shelby, Vigo, Wayne, and Whitley.
Since 1988, Youthlinks Indiana has generated more than $6.5 million that have been reinvested to support various youth sports programs and initiatives. A total of 230 youth-serving organizations have received more than $2 million in CHAMPS Grants since 1988. This year’s Susan Williams CHAMPS Grants are divided among 18 organizations that serve 5,374 youth.
The 28th Annual Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament, hosted by Indiana Sports Corp, tees off on Monday, June 22 at the Sagamore Golf Club of Noblesville, Ind. The tournament will consist of morning and afternoon shotgun tee times. Teams will compete in a scramble-style tournament over the 18-hole course. Youthlinks Indiana is presented by CNO Financial Group.
The Sagamore Golf Club was designed by PGA Tour legend Jack Nicklaus and previously was a Top Ten Best New Private Courses in America by Golf Digest. For more information and to register for this year’s Youthlinks Indiana, contact Craig Lippincott at (317) 237-5034 or clippincott@indianasportscorp.org. Additional event information can be found at www.IndianaSportsCorp.org.
In 2014 alone, Indiana Sports Corp impacted 118,000 youth through programming such as Susan Williams CHAMPS Grants, the Geared for Health: Sports Equipment for Kids program, youth clinics, and other initiatives.
Click here for the 2015 Susan Williams CHAMPS Grant Recipients