When Trey Willie was signed by the Orange County Otters earlier this season, he knew he wanted to give back. He started researching organizations where he could volunteer and make a difference. One day, he came across a new organization offering advice and guidance he wished were available for him just a few years back when he was in high school. This organization is the Young Gentlemen Group of Indianapolis. He didn’t know a lot about the organization, but he was interested in knowing more. Their mission is to engage, enrich, and empower young men for successful careers, healthy lifestyles, and marketable skills to eventually thrive in in a professional world. Through the program, young high school men are provided gently used suits, accessories, and lessons on etiquette. They spent nearly an hour at the nonprofit’s headquarters, which is run out of the founder’s home, and learned all about its services and programs. He quickly realized this group, while providing a beneficial service to young men, was struggling to gain traction and acquire the financial and community support it needs. It was during this long meeting that Trey realized he had to help.
“I decided then that it was somewhere where I wanted to volunteer,” Willie said.
Trey flew back into his hometown late after their recent win on Monday and started and started volunteering early Tuesday morning. He started by making calls to his local contacts he knew from high school. Once he was able to recruit a few more members for this organization, the real work began. Trey was also able to get the YGG access to use the local high school after hours for their meeting location so that solved one major problem.
Later that day, Trey hosted a pop-up clothing drive to acquire new or lightly used business attire for these young men. While Trey’s family lived off the just the basics, he was raised in a rather affluent community. The local people were ecstatic to see their homegrown boy had made it to the NSFL and were quick to contribute anything they could. Within a few hours, he had enough donations that a second truck was brought in to haul it all away.
When asked about Trey instant excitement and support for YGG, the organizations’ founder said, “Trey not only is helping YGG, but he’s also learning all about the community’s resources and spreading the word about YGG’s programs. He has been a tremendous asset to the launching of this program.”
“I’m very involved with my church and want to give back to my community, so it was an opportunity for me to have a general understanding of the programs and processes so I could share that with my church and community members,” said Willie.
Trey worked through the evening on Tuesday gathering what resources he could. While he may have provided the initial jump start that this program needed, Trey attributed all of yesterday’s success to the generous neighbors around the city. “ Everyone wants to give me the credit. All I did was bring this organization into the local eye. Without the support and charitable giving of our fellow community member, most of this would not have occurred,” stated Willie. Unfortunately, Trey’s helping hand was cut short as he had to fly back to Colorado for Wednesday’s night game against the Yeti. He is anticipating his return in the near future. During our brief stay with the group, we overheard Trey had mentioned starting a scholarship program to donate to one high teen that successfully completes the program. He hopes that with additional community involvement this scholarship program can grow beyond what he can currently provide and give these young men the head start to their adult life.
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“I decided then that it was somewhere where I wanted to volunteer,” Willie said.
Trey flew back into his hometown late after their recent win on Monday and started and started volunteering early Tuesday morning. He started by making calls to his local contacts he knew from high school. Once he was able to recruit a few more members for this organization, the real work began. Trey was also able to get the YGG access to use the local high school after hours for their meeting location so that solved one major problem.
Later that day, Trey hosted a pop-up clothing drive to acquire new or lightly used business attire for these young men. While Trey’s family lived off the just the basics, he was raised in a rather affluent community. The local people were ecstatic to see their homegrown boy had made it to the NSFL and were quick to contribute anything they could. Within a few hours, he had enough donations that a second truck was brought in to haul it all away.
When asked about Trey instant excitement and support for YGG, the organizations’ founder said, “Trey not only is helping YGG, but he’s also learning all about the community’s resources and spreading the word about YGG’s programs. He has been a tremendous asset to the launching of this program.”
“I’m very involved with my church and want to give back to my community, so it was an opportunity for me to have a general understanding of the programs and processes so I could share that with my church and community members,” said Willie.
Trey worked through the evening on Tuesday gathering what resources he could. While he may have provided the initial jump start that this program needed, Trey attributed all of yesterday’s success to the generous neighbors around the city. “ Everyone wants to give me the credit. All I did was bring this organization into the local eye. Without the support and charitable giving of our fellow community member, most of this would not have occurred,” stated Willie. Unfortunately, Trey’s helping hand was cut short as he had to fly back to Colorado for Wednesday’s night game against the Yeti. He is anticipating his return in the near future. During our brief stay with the group, we overheard Trey had mentioned starting a scholarship program to donate to one high teen that successfully completes the program. He hopes that with additional community involvement this scholarship program can grow beyond what he can currently provide and give these young men the head start to their adult life.
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