Indianapolis Enlists Celebrities to End Homelessness

INDIANAPOLIS, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- At a press conference today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway emceed by ESPN's Jack Arute, actor/driver Jason Priestly joined with Laura George from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Pacers Coach Jim O'Brien to announce a campaign to curb homelessness in Indianapolis. Local civic groups and corporations including the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Indians and HHGregg will sponsor local television and radio personalities, to support Operation Restoration with a $50,000 or greater donation. The participants will be there one night during May 14 - May 18 camping out in the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Donations can be made online at www.wmm.org or call (317) 635-3575.

Operation Restoration, an awareness program and fund raising opportunity for Wheeler Mission kicks off in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 115-year-old organization turns away over 300 requests for services every month, because the facilities are full, returning them to the cold and dangerous streets.

"Our months-long campaign, Operation Restoration, will help us raise critically needed funds and increase public awareness of the homeless condition in our community, particularly the needs of families with children," said Rick Alvis, President/CEO of Wheeler Mission Ministries. "Our goal is to raise $1 million during the month of May," added Alvis.

The effort to expand successful facilities and programs will restore justice, civil order, family homes and break the cycle of poverty in Indianapolis. Operation Restoration will execute multiple activities between May and November with the financial goal of raising $11 million to expand successful programs and facilities.

The face of homelessness is changing-women with children are the fastest growing segment of homeless in the United States, Indianapolis included. Of the more than 2,000 homeless in Indianapolis every night, over 500 are women and children.

Laura George, IMS Staff Advisor and wife of Tony George, President/CEO of IMS states, "Operation Restoration is an important effort to provide the resources to Wheeler Mission to serve scores of single mothers with children who have no home. We are pleased to be part of this coordinated effort to bring this problem to the attention of our community."