It’s been years in the making and a lot of work but the City of Indianapolis is now enjoying the largest event to ever be hosted in the city’s history. It has been a week full of celebration and excitement as the city gears up for the big game.
Fans are pouring in from all around the world and filling hotels, restaurants and the Super Bowl Village. Tours of Lucas Oil Stadium, free live music, The NFL Experience and a zip line installed over Capitol Avenue are but a few of the many exciting attractions in downtown Indianapolis this week.
Hunt Construction Group has been an integral part of making this experience possible. Starting with the Indianapolis Air Traffic Control Tower in 2005 and Conrad Hotel & Residential Tower in 2006, Hunt began its span of project construction that would change the face of the city. The years to come brought Lucas Oil Stadium, Col. H. Weir Cook Terminal at Indianapolis International Airport, JW Marriott Indianapolis and the new Georgia Street and Cultural Trail. Continue reading
This January, the Indiana Blood Center’s “Bloodmobile” made a trip to Hunt’s Indianapolis office for the first of many Hunt blood drives. During their four-hour stay, the center collected 13 units of blood.
The center requires 550 units of blood daily to supply the more than 60 Indiana hospitals they serve. The donation bus, or “Bloodmobile” as the center calls it, helps local businesses host drives without employees having to venture from their place of employment.
The Indiana Blood Center operates under a simple yet powerful mission:
We believe blood is life. Therefore, Indiana Blood Center shall provide a continuous, safe and adequate supply of blood products and biological services first to people of our own communities, then wherever our blood products and biological services are needed. Continue reading
Hunt’s Indianapolis office participated in the United Way of Central Indiana United Christmas Service (USC) program by adopting a local family. Once announced, excitement for the program spread quickly throughout the office and soon everyone was getting involved. In total, over $1,800 was collected allowing every item on the five person family’s list to be purchased along with a Walmart gift card.
With three boys, items such as Nike shoes, video games, remote controlled cars and a bike were popular requests on the family’s wish list. Other practical items such as toiletries, a rug, winter coats and clothing made up the adult side of the list. Numerous volunteers came together to wrap the gifts so they would be ready for their place under the family’s Christmas tree.
Jessica Howard, Hunt Database Coordinator and Marketing Assistant, secured a family through the UCS program and was present at the gift delivery. The outpouring of generosity from everyone involved impressed her. “Beyond grateful doesn’t even begin to describe the sentiment from this family. It was truly a touching experience to see their faces light up as we brought the gifts into their home,” she added. Continue reading
The newest addition to downtown Indianapolis for the big game had a test run this weekend with the Big Ten Championship game. Fan have spoken and they are very pleased with the new Georgia Street as a gathering place pre and post game.
Hunt Construction Group recently completed the transformation of Georgia Street as part of numerous upgrades to the city for the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI in February. Located near Lucas Oil Stadium and in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the new Georgia Street allows for fans to enjoy food, drinks, shopping and more. This weekend’s test run shows the project’s vision was a success with the street packed with Wisconsin and Michigan State fans enjoying everything the local businesses had to offer.
Hunt is no stranger to the numerous facilities that will serve a key role come the big game in February. Lucas Oil Stadium, the Col. H. Weir Cook Terminal at Indianapolis International Airport, JW Marriott Indianapolis and Conrad Hotel name just a few projects completed by Hunt that will ensure fans have an unforgettable Super Bowl XLVI experience.
Crossroads of America Council, Boy Scouts of America, now has two new residences for assistant rangers or summer staff at Camp Belzer in Indianapolis. Hunt Construction Group donated a majority of the $350,000 in labor and supplies to complete the staff cabins. Camp Belzer is one of the council’s seven camping facilities throughout central Indiana.
The Robert C. and LaVern Hunt Staff Cabins will expand the number of cabins on site. Two will be used to house assistant rangers year-round. The other two cabins will be used by summer staff during Cub Scout Day Camp and will be available for special events and weekend programs at other times of the year. Each cabin includes two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living area.
“Even though Camp Belzer is a day camp during the summer, it needs staff there 24 hours a day, seven days a week to run smoothly,” said Scott Clabaugh, Scout Executive, Crossroads of America Council. “We’re grateful for Hunt’s generosity in building these cabins.” Continue reading
Having just celebrated its seventh year, the Crabbing for Charity event in Savannah, Georgia brought in quite the turnout. Michelle Bazemore started the event as a way to give back to the community and its popularity continues to grow with hundreds in attendance this year.
The concept is straightforward. There is a small registration fee for access to the banquet, t-shirt, food and festivities. The added twist – the crabbing tournament. The individual who brings in the dozen heaviest crabs wins the prize pool of nearly $9,000; they then select the destination of the winnings.
This year’s winner, with over nine pounds of crab, was JC Jones. He set out on September 24 with coworker, Chad Hale for a relaxing day of fall crabbing. When he returned in the late afternoon for the weigh-in, Jones got a surprise. “They weighed my crab and said, at the time, I was in the lead with only a few people still out,” Jones said. Continue reading
Ten years ago, the world changed with the events of September 11, 2001. It was a tragedy surrounded by some of the most heroic and selfless acts this nation has seen. A decade later, history has proven an event meant to instill fear has done quite the opposite – it has become a symbol of hope, strength and determination as a free nation. Countless people are improving lives and remembering those lost based on the events of that historic day.
Sam LaForte, a member of the Hunt family, set out on a journey this August to honor the heroes and victims of that September day ten years ago. LaForte, the safety officer on the Barlcays Center arena project in Brooklyn, participated in the America’s 911 Foundation’s 11th Annual Ride.
The event took place from August 19-21 and took a dedicated group by motorcycles from the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset, Pennsylvania onto the Pentagon to the ride’s conclusion at the World Trade Center site. The ride was started to support the first responders and to ensure we never forget the events of 9/11.
For Sam, this ride holds a very personal meaning. He lost his brother, Michael LaForte, in New York City that day. Michael worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower. He had just turned 39 (this same day) and his wife was seven months pregnant. She named their son Michael after his father.
Sam and the 911 Ride are but one example of the hope, strength, kindness and compassion to come out of that tragic day. It is important to honor those lost and the countless heroes made on September 11, 2001 with these kinds of acts. On behalf of the Hunt family, we thank Sam and the America’s 911 Foundation Ride for honoring the memory of those never to be forgotten.
On May 11, Hunt participated in the ACE Mentor Program Scholarship Dinner. Matt Gutwein, President and CEO of the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, gave the keynote address. Angela Cain, WTHR Community Affairs Director, served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
This year’s event marked the sixth annual event and presented $51,000 in scholarships. Bryce Rainey, a senior at North Central High School, received Hunt’s $4,000 scholarship. Rainey will be attending Purdue this fall in the civil engineering program.
The ACE Mentor Program of Indiana is an organization with a commitment to the future of high school students. Through mentoring, ACE encourages students to learn about and pursue careers in architecture, construction and engineering. Over the last six years, the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana has awarded $221,000 in scholarships to deserving Indianapolis area students.
Hunt has been very active with the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana over the years with numerous employees serving as board members and mentors since 2005. The student project this year was the Georgia Street Renovations and numerous project team members were in attendance at this year’s dinner.
The Hunt Team worked with Rebuilding Together Indianapolis to make repairs to a neighborhood sponsor house on Saturday, April 30. Rebuilding Together Indianapolis is an organization that donates materials and labor to preserve and revitalize homes and communities for families.
Hunt sponsored Carol Bledsoe’s home this year. Carol very much appreciated the assistance and became overwhelmed with the kindness of her fellow Indianapolis neighbors.
The Team painted the porch, family room, kitchen and dining room, replaced door thresholds, removed brush and debris, leveled out the stone driveway, repaired a concrete step and built area for gardening.
Additionally, the team purchased a lightweight vacuum after discovering Carol’s old vacuum broke a month ago. Rebuilding Together will replace the roof and add gutters soon to help stop some water leakage issues.
Big thanks to Tom Fifer, Chris Schoettle, Belinda Burke, Chris Hadley, Bryan McHugh, Pam McNealy & Family, Marie Marocco, Suzanne Byrer-Tidrow, Dan Vogel, Granville Singh of GLS, our friends and cosponsors USA Funds and everyone at Rebuilding Together for helping to make our community a better place in which to live and work.
On April 16, many members of the Hunt family participated in the Indianapolis Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Team Hunt was made up of 138 employees, family members and friends. The team raised $2,876 in entries and an additional $1,445 in separate donations.
The donations went towards the Team Spirit Award – an honor Team Hunt has taken home numerous years in the past. The verdict is still out on the winner but the entire team definitely showed their spirit braving the cold and rainy weather that started the race.
As in years past, Tess Allen helped coordinate all the details for Team Hunt. “Once again, we had a great turnout of Hunt Team members in spite of the cold and rainy weather. I would like to personally thank everyone for their continued support and participation in this very worthwhile fundraising event!” said Tess.
Hunt Graphic Designer Amber Simmons added, “I got the chance to witness the survivor parade this year. It was breathtaking to see all the women whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. It served as a solemn reminder of the reason I participate in the Race for the Cure year after year. It is a more than worthwhile cause. My mother & I had a fantastic day with Team Hunt and look forward to doing it again.” Continue reading
It’s been years in the making and a lot of work but the City of Indianapolis is now enjoying the largest event to ever be hosted in the city’s history. It has been a week full of celebration and excitement as the city gears up for the big game.
