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2016 Tenderness Tour Remembers Indy's Children Lost to Violence

On January 2nd, Richard Propes wheeled 122 times around downtown Indy's Monument Circle in memory of 122 children who died as a result of violence in Indy between January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2015. Propes had originally intended to wheel on January 1, marking both the new year and the swearing-in of new Indianapolis mayor Joseph Hogsett, but shortly after announcing the tour was contacted by the Hogsett campaign and encouraged to attend the swearing-in.

So, Propes moved the tour back a day to attend Mayor Hogsett's swearing-in at Circle Theatre before starting the wheeling at 9am on January 2nd. Taking nearly a full 12 hours, Richard finished the approximately 35-mile effort just shy of 9pm and, as a bonus, raised nearly $3,200 for Indy's Legacy House, an organization that provides counseling and support services to individuals impacted by violence at no charge.

After several years of creative tours outside the Central Indiana area, Richard was admittedly surprised by the amount of coverage the tour attracted including all four local television channels, the Indianapolis Star, WFYI (public radio/television) and others. Joined throughout the day by anywhere from one to several walkers, Propes carried with him a list of each child so that he could remind himself throughout the day why he was wheeling.

The 2016 Tenderness Tour is the latest in a 27-year history of Tenderness Tour events from Propes, a longtime Central Indiana activist working to end violence in the lives of children and families everywhere.

The Tenderness Tour has raised money for the following organizations!
The Tenderness Tour has raised money for the following organizations!

 

  • Access
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Indiana Chapter
  • Anabaptist Disabilities Network
  • Brethren Volunteer Services
  • Child Advocates
  • Coach Kids
  • Emmaus Community
  • Erskine-Green Training Institute
  • Families of SMA
  • Family Service - Central Indiana
  • Foundacion Paniamor
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Heartland Film
  • Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  • Julian Center
  • The Kid's Pantry
  • Legacy House
  • Life Center of Indianapolis
  • MISS Foundation
  • New Community Project
  • On Earth Peace
  • Pax Christi International
  • Peace Over Violence
  • Prevail, Inc.
  • Prevent Child Abuse Indiana
  • Salesian Missions
  • Second Helpings
  • Second Starts
  • Serve Trust
  • Sheltering Wings
  • UNICEF
  • Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center
Awards/Recognition
Awards/Recognition
  • Donna J. Stone Award - Prevent Child Abuse America
  • Sagamore of the Wabash - State of Indiana
  • Order of Kentucky Colonels - State of Kentucky
  • Community Service Award - City of Indianapolis
  • Key to the City - Lebanon, Indiana
  • Key to the City - Frankfort, Indiana
  • Key to the City - Franklin, Indiana
  • Key to the City - Huntington, Indiana
  • Key to the City - East Chicago, Indiana
  • Certificate of Recognition - City of Franklin, Indiana
  • Champions of Diversity Award - Indiana Minority Business Magazine
  • Outstanding Leadership Award - Prevent Child Abuse Indiana
  • Leadership Award - WRTV - 6
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Bainbridge Elementary School
  • "Tenderness Tour Days - August 5-19, 2001" - City of New Albany, Indiana
  • Brevit Commission - Town of Clarksville, Indiana
  • Community Service Award - Martin University
  • Outstanding Service Award - Family Service Association
  • Friend of the Child Service Award - Prevent Child Abuse Indiana
  • Community Quarterback Award - Indianapolis Colts
  • Community Hero - Indiana Pacers
  • Service to Mankind Award - Sertoma Club
  • Outstanding Community Volunteer - Marion County Commission on Youth
  • Certificate of Achievement - City of Gary, Indiana
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Legacy House/National Crime Victims' Rights Week (2016)
  • Plaque of Recognition - Legacy House (2016)
About the Tenderness Tour

Since 1989, Indianapolis activist Richard Propes has wheeled nearly 5,000 miles raising thousands of dollars in what he calls a grassroots effort to create a kinder, more inspired world through The Tenderness Tour. This is his story.

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The Tenderness Tour
5115 Devon Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46226
tendernesstour@ameritech.net