Superbowl for (Jeff) Saturday’s Kids

Posted on October 29, 2015 by amfampob

We were thrilled and honored to represent American Family Insurance, who was one of the title corporate sponsors at Monday’s fundraising event: Superbowl for Saturday’s Kids at Woodland Bowl, benefiting The Peoples Burn Foundation.

Money raised at this event benefits Jeff and Karen Saturday’s “Camp Saturday“, a FREE week long camp in the summer at Flat Rock River Camp for any child age 5 to 18 who has suffered a burn injury.

Camp Saturday is a week-long specialized residential camp for children who are burn survivors to heal from physical and emotional scars by providing opportunity “just to be kids” with volunteer counselors comprised mostly of firefighters and paramedics. The camp offers traditional adventures filled with therapeutic healing for young burn survivors for a week of summertime fun within a nurturing environment amongst their peers.

Many campers were in attendance at Monday’s event to mingle with those who came to bowl and raise money for next summer’s camp while enjoying a yummy meal, compliments of Sullivan’s Steakhouse. Jeff and Karen Saturday welcomed everyone and spoke from their heart about why this event was so special to them and their campers.

Per their bio on Camp Saturday’s website, The Saturday’s became involved with The Peoples Burn Foundation after their youngest son burned both of his hands on the glass doors of a lit fireplace. They learned first hand the long recovery process of a burn injury and how it affects a child.

Former Colts Player and Superbowl Champion, Hunter Smith and his band, The Hunter Smith Band, performed live while we bowled and bid on silent auction items. (The band is AWESOME! Check them out – we all bought their CD, which Hunter Smith autographed for us. He was so NICE).

Band members Justin Langebartels, Alex Reiff, Ethan Ehrstine, Kyle Whiteley, and Hunter Smith

We LOVED the shirts available for purchase from Zella Mae Inspirations. Every shirt they make conveys a positive message and for each shirt purchased Monday night, they donated a shirt to camp. We HIGHLY encourage you check them out! Amazing stuff!

Writing our names on our purchases from Zella Mae. 🙂

Here’s some more fun pictures from the night:

Girls V. Boys. We ALMOST beat them 1st Game.

Camp Saturday
Healing through Encouragement, Acceptance, Respect, Togetherness & Sanctity

For information about Camp Saturday, please contact:
Lora Hays (317-518-5820) lhays@peoplesburnfoundation.org
Cindy Allison, Camp Director (317-803-2876), callison@peoplesburnfoundation.org

As part of the American Family Insurance “family”, we couldn’t be prouder that year round our company partners with & supports local organizations such as this in & around Indianapolis. American Family Insurance, year after year, shows up and validates why we became a part of this company 12 years ago.

Shawna O’Brien
The Patrick D. O’Brien Agency

POB Agency with American Family Insurance teams with Special Olympics Indiana

Posted on July 28, 2015 by amfampob

Pat, Tom, and Indiana’s State Director, Matt, along with a few friends and professional peers had a great time representing title sponsor, American Family Insurance, at the Special Olympics Charity Golf Classic at Prairie View Golf Course July 16th.

Along with the Indianapolis Colts and Enterprise, American Family Insurance worked in conjunction with Special Olympics Indiana to host a day of golf in Carmel, Indiana. Not only was it an honor and a lot of fun, the proceeds from the event benefited Special Olympics Indiana.

The opportunity to host the golf classic is key for Special Olympics Indiana as it provides a chance for sponsor appreciation, developing relationships with new sponsors –all while generating critical funds that support over 11,000 Special Olympics Indiana athletes.

Special Olympics Indiana is a not-for-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 11,000 athletes across Indiana. Special Olympics Indiana is part of the international network of accredited Special Olympics Programs that reaches nearly 4 million athletes with intellectual disabilities worldwide.

We think the Special Olympics Athlete Oath should be embraced by all athletes of all ages and abilities: Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

For anyone who is looking for the opportunity and experience, Special Olympics Indiana offers multiple internship opportunities each semester, including internships in the field of communications, special events, and sports and programs.

Click here for more info.

Shawna O’Brien
The Patrick D. O’Brien Agency

Hoosier High School Basketball Hysteria

Posted on April 10, 2015 by amfampob

In Indiana, Hoosier hysteria is a way of life.

Though you won’t find it in the dictionary, this phrase is well known and describes the excitement surrounding Indiana basketball – specifically, Indiana high school basketball. My staff and I witnessed the hysteria earlier this month at the Fifth Annual High School Slam Dunk and Three-Point Championship at Carmel High School, sponsored by American Family Insurance.

This event featured 16 outstanding high school seniors – eight young men and eight young women – from all over the country, competing in a one-minute three-point shooting contest. The senior boys also had just two opportunities to demonstrate their creative, challenging slam dunk skills for a panel of Indiana celebrity judges in the Slam Dunk Championship.

When we walked into the gymnasium, the energy was electric. Spectators from all over Indiana came out to witness and support the athletes demonstrating their amazing talent. This night had the potential to be history-making for some of these young players as they competed, hoping to become one step closer to pursuing their dreams. The cheers were deafening as Carmel senior Ryan Cline made it to the finals and won the three-point competition with 22 points in the final round (one and two points are awarded per shot).

Everyone from my office was thrilled to attend this event, as each has a love for Indiana basketball. Basketball brings together the old and young, boys and girls, urbanites and those from tiny rural communities. We gather at homes or at a restaurant to watch the games. And whether you live in the city, suburbs or on a country road, chances are, there’s a basketball goal within a rock’s throw.

More than half the homes in our neighborhood have basketball goals in their driveways. We see kids gathering nightly to play. I grew up playing in the neighborhood, on my high school team, and later with a group at our church. Our son has played basketball the last two seasons and this year I coached his third grade team. A basketball goal was a must-have feature on our “wish list” when we purchased our home late last year.

One of our office’s licensed producers is Noblesville, Indiana native Tom Coverdale, Mr. Basketball 1998. He was asked to judge the Slam Dunk Competition with four others including Boom Herron, running back with the Indianapolis Colts. Tom says in Indiana you are basically born with a basketball in your hands. Every kid dreams of playing for their high school team and in college. The state has a following unlike any other state when it comes to basketball. The atmosphere at Carmel High School was no different.

Bobby Plump, John Wooden, Larry Bird and Steve Alford all began pursuing their dreams in a high school gymnasium in Indiana. Hoosiers take great pride in remembering these young men before they were legendary players, and we feel a connection to their success.

It was an honor and a thrill for us to be involved in the High School Slam Dunk and Three-Point Championship representing American Family Insurance. This event allowed these young athletes to demonstrate their athleticism and to “dream big.”

Whatever becomes of them as they pursue their basketball dreams, we will be able to say, “we were there” when it began.