Every year, Eli Lilly and Company’s Global Day of Service brings together hundreds of dedicated volunteers to positively impact their communities. Lilly employees recently gathered to help beautify Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and engaged in an exciting educational program with the Indiana Pacers.
On Sept. 28, hundreds of these volunteers transformed four middle schools – Howe, Broad Ripple, Arlington, and Northwest – and created a lasting impact.
One of the significant projects undertaken by the Lilly volunteers involved sprucing up the school grounds with a whopping 20 cubic yards of mulch across the four IPS middle schools.
This amounted to one pallet of mulch at each location, with each pallet containing 65 bags of two cubic feet, totaling 130 cubic feet, which is just shy of five cubic yards.
This impressive contribution enhanced the school campuses’ aesthetics and provided a safe and welcoming environment for students and staff, said Dr. William Murphy, the district’s chief operations officer.
“By beautifying IPS schools, Lilly volunteers have created a more inspiring environment for students and staff,” he said. “Their commitment to healthy lives, healthy minds, and healthy communities is not just a slogan but a way of life, exemplified through their actions. It’s a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference, one yard at a time.”
In addition to the yard work, Lilly volunteers also had the opportunity to engage in an educational program with the Indiana Pacers, known as NBA Math Hoops. This collaboration allowed students to have fun while improving their STEM skills through the lens of basketball, combining education with the excitement of the sport.
It’s a prime example of how corporations and local organizations can partner with IPS to create enriching experiences for young minds, said Dr. Michelle Jackson, the district’s executive director of Teaching and Learning.
She noted that through the year-long NBA Math Hoops program, participating IPS schools will be eligible for Pacer/Fever games, NBA Math Hoops Regional Tournament, NBA Math Hoops Live, and various STEM-themed events at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.