Pre-Super Bowl party to benefit children of Indiana service members

Helping Hands for Freedom hosted a special pre-Super Bowl party Saturday night.

IndyCar series team Panther Racing hosted the Touchdown for Heroes Championship Party at its headquarters.The party featured live music, silent auctions, racing simulators, athlete appearances and stand-up comedy.

All proceeds from the event will go to support Indiana military children who have lost a parent serving in the armed forces, wounded in action or have parents currently deployed.

Helping Hands for Freedom co-founder, SSG Patrick Shannon, is a bronze star and Purple Heart recipient, who was severely injured in Iraq while serving for the Indiana National Guard. SSG Shannon was Panther Racing’s original Hometown Hero, and was honored during the month of May with the team during the Indianapolis 500 in 2008.


“When I was injured and recovering I noticed there were a lot of non-profits that went above and beyond helping our Warriors, but I wanted to be involved with something that focused specifically on the children of those Wounded Warriors,” SSG Shannon explained. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to host the Touchdown for Heroes party, where all the proceeds we raise will stay right here in Indiana and go directly to the children of our fallen and our wounded.”

Tickets started at $100.