21-05-2025
FOX Sports Teams With Purple Heart Homes to Transform Veterans' Lives Ahead of Indianapolis 500 - Fox Sports Press Pass
Housing Renovations in Local Community Highlight Company's Commitment to Support America's Heroes
LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports today announces a major initiative with national non-profit partner Purple Heart Homes to renovate and restore the homes – and lives – of U.S. military veterans in Indianapolis ahead of the network's inaugural coverage of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Sunday, May 25 , on FOX, FOX Deportes and the FOX Sports app.
The initiative, powered by a charitable grant from the FOX Sports Gamechanger Fund and Fox Corporation's FOX Forward program, enables Purple Heart Homes to complete major home renovations for four local veterans in Indianapolis and highlights a shared mission to ensure veterans in the local community can age in place with safety, dignity and independence. The work includes roof and floor replacements, bathroom renovations and barrier-free upgrades designed to improve veterans' safety and accessibility and support their long-term, independent living.
'It's an honor to work alongside Purple Heart Homes to improve the quality of life for veterans in Indianapolis by providing the housing solutions they need to thrive in their communities,' said Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive Producer, FOX Sports. 'The partnership between FOX Sports and Purple Heart Homes is central to our efforts to serve the military heroes who selflessly served us.'
In recognition of this meaningful work, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hegsett officially proclaimed the week of May 12-18 'Purple Heart Homes & Partners Veteran Impact Week,' commending the collaborative efforts of FOX Sports, its parent company, Fox Corporation, and Purple Heart Homes in serving the city's veteran community in the lead-up to the Indianapolis 500. The proclamation acknowledges the critical role of safe and accessible housing in supporting veterans and celebrates the public-private partnerships that made this mission possible.
'This partnership reflects the spirit of service, collaboration and community that defines the city of Indianapolis and sets a powerful example of what can be achieved when public, private and non-profit sectors work together in support of our heroes,' the proclamation reads.
Last week, veterans Kevin Smith (U.S. Air Force), Gary Dean (U.S. Army), Donald Covington (U.S. Marines) and a U.S. Army veteran who asked to remain anonymous began receiving personalized home renovations thanks to this initiative. Each transformation, completed by Purple Heart Homes with support from local Indianapolis non-profit Home Repairs for Good, showcases the collective power of national funding and community action.
'This work is about restoring dignity, independence and peace of mind to the people who have given so much to our country,' said Dave Sternberg, Chair of the Purple Heart Homes Board. 'We are honored by the continued partnership of FOX Sports and look forward to what lies ahead in our growing collaboration with Home Repairs for Good.'
As part of FOX Sports' coverage of the Indianapolis 500, viewers across the country will see featured storytelling across its platforms spotlighting the impact this partnership is having on veterans in real-time, reinforcing FOX Sports' deep-rooted support of military and veteran communities. During race weekend, FOX Sports in partnership with INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will welcome the veterans and Purple Heart Homes leaders to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for an unforgettable experience that includes behind-the-scenes access to FOX Sports broadcast sets, meet-and-greets with FOX Sports on-air personalities, exclusive tours of the racetrack garages and VIP tickets for race day.
The FOX Sports Gamechanger Fund is a part of the company's corporate social responsibility initiatives to give back to local communities in cities nationwide. Founded in 2020 to benefit non-profit partners in its Super Bowl host cities, the fund has since expanded to further the company's mission to support and create fighting chances for our nation's military heroes through its FOX Sports Supports corporate social responsibility initiative in connection to the company's presentation of its tentpole sporting events.
