June 25, 2004

For the past six months, members of Peyton's Pals within the PeyBack Foundation have had the opportunity to dine at St. Elmo Steakhouse, view Lion King at the Murat Theatre, and attend a Colts' game in a private suite among many other exciting events. Yesterday, they returned the favor with a special community project that brought smiles to the adults at Joy's House.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback and PeyBack Foundation President Peyton Manning started the Peyton's Pals program to gives 20 underprivileged kids the opportunity to learn and grow as a young adult. The kids, selected by the Foundation and Child Advocates, are in either seventh or eighth grade and participate in one activity or event each month as part of the program. The goal of the program is show kids the opportunities that exist for them in the future and make them better people as they move into high school.

The kids took a bus to a local department store yesterday in Indianapolis and bought gifts for the adults at Joy's House. With each kid having a "Wish List" for each adult and the Joy's House center, items such as crossword puzzles, tee shirts, picture frames, lipstick, books, paper towels and other items were stacked at the checkout counter.

Following the shopping spree, the kids traveled to Joy's House and made a special presentation to the delighted recipients. The kids and adults spent more than two hours together, eating lunch and becoming fast friends. Joy's House is an adult daycare center that is located in Broad Ripple.

A special thanks to all of the chaperones who participated in yesterday's event and to Papa John's for providing pizza to the group. You can find out more information about Joy's House at www.joyshouse.org