**Colts, Students Prepare Care Packages for Wounded
Soldiers
**
INDIANAPOLIS – This past Tuesday, September 15, the
Indianapolis Colts kicked off their 2009 Community Tuesdays by
visiting three Indianapolis schools: Frederick Douglass School #19,
Imagine Indiana Life Sciences Academy West and Rhoades Elementary
School. At each school the students, with the help of Colts
TE Colin Cloherty, LB Cody Glenn, DB Devon Hall, LB Ramon Humber
and DB's Jacob Lacey and Jerraud Powers, completed a service
learning project.
The project was to write a message of thanks and encouragement on a Colts football for each of the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Medical Center. The students then assembled a care package to send to each soldier. The package included one of the personalized footballs, a Colts cinch bag, and a $10.00 Applebee's® gift card. In total, nearly 400 care packages were assembled between the three schools. Iraq veteran and Colts spokesperson Josh Bleill also attended each visit to speak with the students.
This project was funded by the Indianapolis Colts and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, which was established in 2004 to help meet the needs of Marines and Sailors who have been injured in training or combat operations.
For more information on all the Colts outreach efforts, visit www.colts.com/community.
About Josh Bleill
A graduate of Greenfield Central High School, Marine Corporal Joshua Bleill joined the Marine Corps Reserves in 2004. After being activated for a tour of duty in Iraq, Corporal Bleill was conducting combat patrols when he was seriously wounded and lost both legs above the knee, sustained a broken jaw, crushed hip, dislocated pelvis, concussion, several broken fingers and numerous lacerations. Following his recovery, Josh received a Purple Heart from President George W. Bush for his bravery. Today, he resides in Indianapolis and serves as a motivational speaker and community representative for the Indianapolis Colts. To request Josh as a speaker at your next event, visit www.colts.com/appearances.
