Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University faculty, staff, and students are partnering up with some very special people for the first Indianapolis Day of Service on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Beginning at 10 a.m., Sycamore volunteers will join more than 50 Special Olympics Indiana athletes, volunteers, coaches and staff and the staff of Indy Parks and Recreation to beautify Riverside Park, a site for many of Special Olympics Indiana's competitions and practices.

"Indy Parks welcomes the efforts of Indiana State and Special Olympics Indiana to brighten Riverside Park," said Stuart Lowry, Indy Parks director. "When organizations combine their love of green space with a day of caring in the parks, our mission to enhance the quality of life in our communities comes alive, and we are deeply grateful for their support and contribution."

In addition to cleaning, weeding and mulching, volunteers will celebrate the spirit of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics.

"For more than half a century, until her passing in 2009, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an indomitable champion for those among us who have been neglected and ignored for too long," said Michael Furnish, president and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana.

"To celebrate her legacy here in Indiana, we have decided to make Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day a day of service throughout the state," said Furnish. "To honor her vision, we are inviting athlete leaders to implement their own service projects in their communities."

The collaboration provides for Indiana State faculty, staff and students to demonstrate their commitment to public service and making Indiana's communities better. The Indianapolis Day of Service also enables the University to work side by side with Special Olympics Indiana, an organization founded on the Terre Haute campus in 1969.

"We are proud to be part of Special Olympics Indiana," said Cheri Bradley, Indiana State first lady and a board member of Special Olympics Indiana. "Over the years, we've come to know athletes, families and coaches when they come to campus to participate in Summer Games. To work side by side with them to improve a facility they use for competition is very rewarding."

Tara Singer, chair of Indiana State's Indianapolis initiative, said the project was a natural fit for the university.

"More than 15,000 of our alumni live and work in the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area, and we have a large number of current students from the area as well," Singer said.

Writer: Paula Meyer, ISU Communications & Marketing, 812-237-3783 or paula.meyer@indstate.edu