On the evening of July 13, 2017, families gathered at the Navy Operational Support Center in Lawrence, Indiana for USO of Indiana’s annual Rucksacks to Backpacks event; designed to give backpacks and school supplies to local children.
Aside from the distribution of school supplies, local families were able to enjoy food, face painting, Indiana Pacers Sports and Entertainment Fan Van, and more. Boomer and Freddy Fever joined this event as a great surprise for the kids in attendance. Yet, the entertainment and surprises did not stop there.
Indiana Fever forward Candice Dupree and guard Briann January joined in the fun.
Being children of retired Air Force members, Dupree and January could not wait to participate in this event and are always eager to team up with the USO.
Both players say they got involved for the kids! Dupree was raised by a military mother and understands what it is like to move around from city to city. January says there’s nothing better than seeing a child’s face light up when they get to meet a player. She feels a sense of joy knowing she’s impacted the lives of these children.
Dupree and January will team up with USO again on August 6th as they take on the Lynx to honor local service members through their Sideline Service Members program.