INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts are proud to announce a resident of Fort Wayne, Ind. as a 2010 honoree of the Anthem Angels program, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Alison Mansfield was recognized at the Colts home game on Sunday, November 14, for her outstanding contribution to the community.
Alison Mansfield is a fifteen-year-old student who has made it her mission to serve those who serve our country since the age of ten. Inspired after meeting a severely wounded soldier on Veteran's Day in 2005, Alison has donated over 1000 hours of her time to Operation US Troop Support, an organization she founded that oversees several military service projects. Through Operation US Troop Support, Alison has collected and shipped over 53,000 items including socks, cards, toiletries, snacks, and small toys for soldiers to give to Afghan children and injured soldiers recovering stateside. Recently Alison has also collaborated with local artists and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art to create a coloring book for soldiers to give to the Afghan children. To learn more about Alison's efforts and Operation US Troop Support, please visit www.operationustroopsupport.org.
Alison's efforts have been highlighted in both USA Today and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and she was recently honored as one of ten young people form the US and Canada as a Huggable Hero by Build-A-Bear Workshop. In 2008, Alison was one of four youth to receive the Indianapolis Children's Museum Power of Children: Making a Difference Award and one of two Indiana students to receive the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Congratulations to our Anthem Angel, Alison Mansfield.
In honor of Alison's outstanding service, she received four (4) VIP Club Seat Tickets to the Colts game, a feature story with his photo in the Colts gameday magazine (the Scout) and on www.colts.com, as well as recognition on-field recognition at the game.
"Anthem Angels…Honoring Everyday Heroes" was established by the Indianapolis Colts and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to pay tribute to Hoosier "First Respondents" who have made exceptional strides to help others in their community.
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Nominations are still being accepted for upcoming 2010 home games. For more information about Anthem Angels, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, please visit www.colts.com/anthemangels.
