Jim Irsay 1976 Acts of Kindness Day surpasses expectations, impacts more than 10,000 residents

The Rotary Club of Carmel and Kiwanis Club of Carmel recently joined forces to launch the “Jim Irsay 1976 Acts of Kindness Day,” a community-wide initiative celebrating Carmel’s 50th anniversary as a city while honoring the memory and legacy of Jim Irsay.

What began as a shared effort between two service organizations quickly grew into something far greater than anticipated, inspiring acts of kindness throughout the community and demonstrating the powerful impact that can be achieved when organizations come together with a common purpose.

“The total number of volunteers for the day, 607, and the total number of individuals impacted, 10,261, went far beyond the numbers originally envisioned,” according to Dr. Richard M. Markoff, Jim Irsay 1976 Acts of Kindness Day Chairman and member of the Rotary Club of Carmel.

This collaborative, community-wide initiative featured multiple service projects across Carmel. The outpouring of support, the number of volunteers and the numerous and varied success stories highlighted the giving nature of the Carmel community.

The event was born of the shared mission of both organizations: to strengthen communities and develop leaders through service.

“The Kiwanis Club of Carmel was honored to partner with the Rotary Club of Carmel and the Indianapolis Colts to sponsor the Jim Irsay 1976 Acts of Kindness on Aug. 5 in celebration of Carmel’s 50th Anniversary as a city!” said Gayle Webb, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Carmel. “It was amazing to see the overwhelming collaboration with so many in our community – other service organizations, businesses, churches, individuals, etc. From sunup to sundown, we all performed countless acts of kindness! When service-minded people put their heads together, great things happened for our Carmel community. We look forward to more collaborations!”

The following is a sampling of actual results for the Acts of Kindness Day:

• Shoe Collection at Village of West Clay, Claridge Farms, and Jackson’s Grant involved 210 volunteers and impacted 3,327 students and adults.
• Merciful HELP Center at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Pack the Cruiser had 52 volunteers and impacted 2,240 individuals.
• Lou Newman Piano Concerts for Woodland Terrace and Rose Assisted Living involved four volunteers along with the Colts cheerleaders and impacted 92 people.
• Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, Congregation Beth Shalom, and ALO Property Group supplied 14 volunteers for Popsie’s Pantry to impact 150 individuals.
• Black Orchid Barbers personally visited every single Carmel Fire Department station. Firefighters and EMS professionals received product samples and complimentary hair cut vouchers to thank them for their service, courage, and commitment to the Carmel community. Two volunteers impacted 200 individuals.
• Indiana University Hospital North’s 12 volunteers assisted 400 individuals with their women’s hygiene kits.
• Cornerstone Lutheran Church Comfort Dog Ministries had 11 volunteers with support dogs giving demonstrations for educational purposes throughout the day.
• Blakley Corporation provided four volunteers to work at furnishing a Habitat for Humanity home.
• Indianapolis Colts volunteers included Pete Ward, Steve Campbell, Joe Reitz, Kelly Tilley, Colts Cheer (four), Ginny Terpening, and Mika Takahashi, all providing support for other teams and volunteers throughout the day.
• Appel Heating and Cooling provided a 15 percent discount on services rendered on Aug. 5, while Apex Detailing and Company had two volunteers available to give their services to a family with two autistic children.
• The Carmel Firefighters Bicycle Helmet Project’s two volunteers donated five helmets.
• Crooked Creek Food Pantry’s volunteer, Judy Ford, bagged approximately 150 bags of canned goods for distribution.
• Neighborly Love volunteers assisted a local individual with yard work.

In addition to volunteer activities, several monetary donations were made, along with in kind offerings.

• Damar Services contributed $150 for the rental of Village of West Clay Mission House for the Day’s kick-off event and supplied all food and refreshments.
• Cash Contributions to Pack the Cruiser at Kroger totaled $624.
• Carmel Parks and Recreation Campers created artwork for nearly 1,000 snack bags
• Current in Carmel is in the process of highlighting six months of feature stories regarding the 50th anniversary of Carmel as a City.
• Sophisticated Living Magazine featured Popsie’s Pantry in a full-page write-up on the Jim Irsay 1976 Acts of Kindness Day Kick-Off in its September/October issue.

“Sharing those impressive (and rewarding) numbers!” said Brad B. Boyd, Area Director, Global Membership Growth & Engagement with the Kiwanis Club of Carmel. “To end up with more than tenfold our original target is simply astounding … and a tribute to your community networking connections and the strong relationship we pulled together between Carmel Rotary and Carmel Kiwanis leaders. I am so pleased and proud to have played a small role in it.”

Carmel City Councilman Jeff Worrell said, “The monumental success of the Jim Irsay 1976 Acts of Kindness Day, touching over 10,260 lives through the dedication of 607 volunteers, is a powerful testament to the heart and spirit of Carmel. Celebrating our 50th anniversary as a city isn’t just about looking back at our history; it’s about actively shaping our community’s character today. The Rotary Club of Carmel and the Kiwanis Club of Carmel, along with every single volunteer, showed what is possible when neighbors show up for one another with open hearts and a shared commitment to kindness.”

By dedicating a single day to collective impact, the partnership’s aim was to inspire civic pride, expand community engagement and leave a lasting, positive mark on Carmel. The Jim Irsay 1976 Acts of Kindness Day did all that and more. The event was approved by the Indianapolis Colts.

“The Irsay family and the Colts organization are grateful that 1976 Acts of Kindness was created in honor of the late Jim Irsay,” said Pete Ward, Chief Operating Officer for the Colts. “This event was symbolic of Jim’s commitment to generosity, compassion, and commitment to helping others, and we are grateful for this recognition of his legacy.”

About Rotary Club of Carmel
The Rotary Club of Carmel, founded in 1972, regularly contributes to local community projects and non-profits including the Merciful H.E.L.P. Center, Crooked Creek Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Carmel Summer Lunch Program, Trinity Free Clinic, and many more. Carmel Rotary’s youth outreach includes Leadership Connection, a leadership skills development and scholarship program for Carmel area high school students; Interact, a Rotary sponsored service club for youth ages 12 to 18; and the Youth Exchange Program, hosting incoming high school students from abroad and sponsoring outbound local high school students from Carmel to countries around the globe. Carmel Rotary is proud to present and provide the leadership for CarmelFest, Carmel’s annual 4th of July parade and celebration. Carmel Rotary is also involved in service projects around the globe, with the major focus areas of peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy and economic and community development. The primary focus of Rotary International and all clubs is the eradication of polio from the face of the earth.

About The Kiwanis Club of Carmel
The Kiwanis Club of Carmel, founded in 2018, is a service organization dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time through hands-on service and impactful partnerships. The club regularly supports organizations such as Brooke’s Place, Indy Hygiene Hub, Kids Coats, Children’s TherAplay, and Riley Children’s Hospital, and leads signature initiatives like its annual “Night of Service,” which brings together members and guests to complete meaningful projects benefiting local nonprofits. The club also supports the Parent Komfort Kart program at Riley Children’s Hospital, providing essential items to families. The Kiwanis Club of Carmel is deeply committed to youth leadership through its sponsorship of the Carmel High School Key Club, which engages more than 200 student members in service and leadership development. Through service projects, fundraising efforts, and community collaboration, the Kiwanis Club of Carmel continues to make a meaningful impact in Central Indiana and beyond.