About three of every 10 teens in America volunteered in 2005, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and advocates would like to see that number rise.

So would the Indianapolis Colts. Along with American Family Insurance, the sports team is sponsoring the Young Playmakers Challenge this fall. It encourages Indiana middle-schoolers to improve their communities through volunteering for service projects and to help nonprofit organizations.

In October and November, schools that sign up for the program will track their student volunteer hours. The classroom with the highest number of volunteer hours will receive a visit from a Colts player in December.

The top 10 students in Indiana with the highest number of volunteer hours will receive two tickets to a Colts game. To find out more, go to the Indiana Department of Education's Web site: www.doe.state.in.us/reed/newsr/2006/08-August/partners082806.html.