No city hosts All-Star quite like Indianapolis, as evidenced by how the city unofficially tipped off on Thursday afternoon.
A star-studded crowd descended upon Christamore House, a historic neighborhood multi-service community center on the near west side to celebrate the completion of one of 24 Legacy Projects completed across the state in celebration of NBA All-Star 2024.
Those in attendance on Thursday included NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Pacers Sports & Entertainment governor Herb Simon and alternate governor Steve Simon, Indiana governor Eric Holcomb, Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett, Pacers center Myles Turner, Fever players Grace Berger, Lexie Hull, and Erica Wheeler, and Pacers legend Rik Smits.
As part of the Legacy Project, Christamore House now has a refurbished gym, a new state-of-the-art STEAM lab named in honor of the Simon Family Foundation, a revitalized wellness room, and a boost to the existing technology lab in the form of enhanced Wifi. All those improvements will help Christamore House, which has existed since 1905, continue its mission of empowering the people of Haughville and the near west side to be self-sufficient and contributing members to a safe and healthy community through education, partnerships, and accountability.
Indiana Pacers Unveil Renovations For Recipient Of #NBAAllStar2024 Legacy Project, Christamore House
La'Toya Pitts, executive director of Christamore House, was on hand for the unveiling, as was Isaac Robinson, a senior at North Central High School and a third-generation member of Christamore House.
"I feel like my parents and grandparents and others have had a safe haven here," Robinson said.
In playing to host All-Star, the Pacers made it their mission to make the most inclusive and impactful All-Star ever. A big part of that was giving back to the community at places like Christamore House.
"To celebrate La'Toya and all the people here, who for over 100 years have been doing this kind of incredible multi-pronged service...these are the stories we want to amplify," said Steve Simon.
Silver said that Thursday's event and all of the Legacy Projects, which provided grants up to $50,000 to 24 different youth-serving organizations across the state, showed the unique commitment of the Pacers and the city of Indianapolis.
"This community is a special community," Silver said, speaking directly to a group of young Christamore House members. "We get the opportunity to travel to many different cities and countries through the NBA...You have a very unique opportunity here. You have such incredible civic leaders, wonderful heads of school, and a beautiful facility."
The improvements at Christamore House were made possible thanks to the generosity of the NBA, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and State Farm.