Charities

Besides being a top-notch event for FIRST Robotics Competition teams, IRI is an event that raises funds for local charities.  Since 2004, IRI has raised money for various charities, provided many scholarships to students, and given away an impressive number of supply-filled backpacks for Indianapolis-area kids.

For the 2011 IRI a total of $4,700 was raised for two local charities:

Also, $15,000 in scholarships were given to 8 students.

Over the past 8 years, the total outreach and assistance provided by the competitors, volunteers and organizers of IRI has been tremendous.  Here is a summary of this outreach:

  • $53,500 of scholarships have been awarded to 45 students
  • 755 supply-filled backpacks (worth over $22,000) have been donated to needy Indianapolis kids
  • $25,150 has been raised through the silent auction and other events for 8 local charity organizations

At this year’s event, three events took place:

Also again this year, all attending teams will be donating a well-filled backpack to provide to the Rolls-Royce sponsored “Pack to School” program to assist the Indianapolis community. This has been done at IRI since 2003. For some reason, the number of more backpacks donated is always greater than the number of teams attending.  Items should be for a 2nd / 3rd grade level student.  Feel free to add a team button or other special item to a backpack.  Below is a list of suggested items for this donation.

  • Youth size backpack
  • 1 pair scissors
  • 3 pocket folders
  • 1 box of 24 crayons
  • 3 glue sticks
  • 1 ruler with inches and centimeters
  • 1 package of pencils
  • 2 large erasers
  • 2 black pens
  • 2 red pens
  • 2 packages loose-leaf notebook paper
  • 1 school supply box
  • 1 package colored pencils
  • 1 package washable markers
  • 3 spiral notebooks

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