SOLD-OUT ‘BLUE BREAKFAST’ RAISES $45,000 FOR
COBURN PLACE SAFE HAVEN PROGRAMS
(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Great teamwork leads to success.
Just ask the Indianapolis Colts, who haven’t seen an empty seat in the RCA Dome for years. Better yet, ask the volunteers, staff, board members and sponsors who helped put together the first-ever “Blue Breakfast – A Kick-off for Coburn Place.” They experienced a sell-out themselves this morning, with all 360 tickets to their fundraiser snapped up by the community.
According to organizers, the inaugural Blue Breakfast raised approximately $45,000 for Coburn Place Safe Haven (www.coburnplace.org). Located at 604 E. 38th St., Coburn provides secure, transitional housing and supportive services to victims of domestic violence. Residents can stay at the non-profit organization’s facilities for up to two years, to begin healing and move toward emotional, physical and financial independence.
All of the proceeds from this new fundraiser will go directly toward programming such as therapeutic support groups, health and economic education, family development classes, and seasonal camps and homework help for children.
Three-time Pro-Bowler and offensive lineman for the Colts’ 2006 Super Bowl team, Tarik Glenn, was among the featured speakers during the Blue Breakfast. A father of four, Glenn spoke about the importance of organizations like Coburn Place.
“It is great to see this team effort – everyone coming together for a common cause,” Glenn said during the event at the Indianapolis Colts Training Facility. “If we can give these women and children a chance to be successful in life, they can go out in the world and make a difference.”
Since opening its doors in 1996, Coburn Place has served 378 women and 637 children. “Deneva,” a mother of four, is one of them.
“I left a nine-year marriage, and I was scared and angry,” she said this morning. “When I went to Coburn Place, I found out that I wasn’t alone – that other women felt the same way I did.
“Now, each day is better than the day before,” Deneva added. “I’m going to school, I’m learning to trust, and I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime. If I would have been anywhere else, I wouldn’t have made it.”
The Indianapolis Colts donated the use of their practice facility – the “Colts Complex” –
for the 2008 Blue Breakfast. Pedcor Companies was the primary sponsor.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped make this first-time event a success,” said Lianne Somerville, executive director for Coburn Place. “We appreciate you supporting our mission. With your help, we are changing lives one family at a time.”
