IT BEARS MENTIONING...

Transcription

1 IT BEARS MENTIONING... December 2006 Danieal Manning and Charles Tillman posed for a photo with children from LYDIA Home following a shopping spree at Meijer. SHOP TIL YOU DROP Bears players Charles Tillman and Danieal Manning and mascot Staley joined 50 children from LYDIA Home at a shopping spree at the Meijer Store in Rolling Meadows on Monday, November 27. Each child received a $100 Meijer gift card, courtesy of Meijer, Chicago s Superstore. During their hour of shopping, the kids bought a wide variety of items ranging from shoes and clothes, to footballs and games, to DVDs and even televisions! Following the shopping spree the kids were treated to a pizza party at the store, where they each received a Bears goody bag and had the opportunity to visit with Charles and Danieal and receive autographs. Charles became involved with LYDIA Home in 2005 when he began purchasing and donating a block of season tickets to the organization through the Bears Home Team Hand-Off ticket donation program. COAT DRIVE Bears equipment manager Tony Medlin, kicker Robbie Gould, defensive end Tommie Harris, and cornerback Charles Tillman along with representatives from Dominick s announced the beginning of the 18th Annual Chicago Bears/Dominick s Coat Drive at a press conference at Halas Hall on Monday, November 6. The Bears annual stadium collection drive took place on Sunday, December 3 at Soldier Field prior to the Bears vs. Vikings game. Volunteers were stationed at entrance gates to collect coats from generous fans as they entered the stadium. Thousands of coats will be collected this year as part of the 18th Annual Chicago Bears/Dominick's "Coat Drive" benefiting the Salvation Army and public schools in the Chicagoland area. Coats can be dropped off at all 98 Dominick's stores throughout Chicagoland now through January 3, A store locator is available at or Generous fans dropped off winter coats outside of Soldier Field in support of the 18 th Annual Chicago Bears/Dominick s Coat Drive.

2 (L-R) Tyler Reed, Dusty Dvoracek, Devin Hester, Dwayne Slay, and Copeland Bryan helped serve Thanksgiving dinner to children from Maryville. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! The 2006 Bears Rookie Class helped spread some early holiday cheer to over 150 children from Maryville Youth Academy at 10pin Bowling Lounge in Chicago on Tuesday, November 21. As part of the 19 th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the Children of Maryville Youth Academy, which was hosted by Harry Caray s Restaurant Group, the rookies helped serve a traditional Thanksgiving feast, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie, and all the trimmings. They also bowled with the kids and handed out gifts. This event was the final of four volunteer activities the entire Bears rookie class participated in as part of the Rookie Rally program, which was created by the Bears Community Relations department to involve the team s first-year players, as a group, in charitable activities throughout the season. SCHOOL OUTREACH Each Tuesday during the football season, Chicago Bears players visit Chicago Public Schools to speak to, motivate, and interact with students as part of the Bears School Outreach program. The theme for player visits is character development, goal setting and commitment to excellence. Now in its 11 th season, the Bears School Outreach program reaches over 7,000 students annually. To date, Bears players Bernard Berrian, Desmond Clark, Rashied Davis, Justin Gage, Rex Grossman, Robbie Gould, Chris Harris, Tommie Harris, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Todd Johnson, Jason McKie, Terrence Metcalf, Fred Miller, Muhsin Muhammad, Anthony Oakley, Gabe Reid, J.D. Runnels, John Tait and Cameron Worrell have visited 18 different Chicago Public Schools in support of the Bears School Outreach Program. Rex Grossman spoke to students at Swift Specialty School. Jamar Williams reads over a student s letter during a visit to Crown Community Academy for the Hello to Our Heroes program. HEROES WELCOME Bears linebacker Jamar Williams presented the Hello to Our Heroes program to students at Crown Community Academy in Chicago on Tuesday, November 14 by helping them write letters to men and women of the military who are currently serving overseas. The Hello to Our Heroes program, which is sponsored by Staples, was developed by the Chicago Bears Community Relations department in 2005 in an effort to help boost the morale of American soldiers. Crown Community Academy was awarded the visit from Williams in conjunction with the Chicago Public School s Back to School Challenge, which began six years ago when CPS launched a targeted campaign to increase first day attendance in schools throughout the city, as well as increase student attendance throughout the year. The program has helped produce a 92% first day attendance rate, a dramatic increase from the numbers posted in 2000.

3 HONORING OUR VETS Wide receiver Rashied Davis and defensive end Copeland Bryan visited hospitalized veterans at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago on Tuesday, November 7 in support of Veterans Day and the Disabled American Veterans Celebrity Entertainment Program. The players made room visits, signed autographs, posed for pictures and helped brighten the days for those who have sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom. I know that their visit to the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center brought a great deal of joy to the men and women being treated there. Many of Copeland Bryan and Rashied Davis visited the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in honor of Veterans Day. these wonderful veterans rarely get visitors, said DAV National Commander Bradley S. Barton of the visit. The Chicago Bears have always been extremely supportive of the Armed Forces and Military and have initiated numerous events to show our support for the men and women who defend our country. GREAT MOMENTS IN FOOTBALL HALFTIME THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR A FOOTBALL ENTHUSIAST Have you ever wondered what goes on in a NFL locker room during halftime? Great Moments in Football Halftime tells that story. This fascinating book is a contemporary intensive study taking a "fly-on-the-wall" look at the often secretive events taking place in the football locker room at halftime. It is primarily written from the perspective and insights described by top professional and college coaches. Great Moments in Football Halftime contains stories, anecdotes, and interviews from nearly 50 accomplished football coaches from NFL and college teams. The inspiration for this book came from two very special former high school football players, Rocky Clark and Rob Komosa. Rocky and Rob both suffered catastrophic spinal cord injuries while playing high school football. Proceeds from Great Moments in Football Halftime will directly benefit Rocky and Rob. In addition, the book proceeds will help establish a foundation to assist any future high school football player who suffers a catastrophic spinal cord injury. Great Moments in Football Halftime can be purchased at Bears home games in the Pro Shops or online at or BEARS SUPPORT YOUTH FOOTBALL The Bears recognized the 2006 Punt, Pass & Kick Regional Champions during halftime of the Bears vs. Dolphins game at Soldier Field on November 5. Congratulations to St. Rita High School for earning the title of 2006 Bears Flag Football Champions! The team was honored during halftime of the Bears vs. Dolphins game.

4 BRIGGS 4 KIDZ Linebacker Lance Briggs hosted his Briggs 4 Kidz Jock-N-Bowl charity bowling tournament on Tuesday, November 6 at Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes in Chicago. Many of Lance s teammates, including Brian Urlacher, Nathan Vasher, Tommie Harris, Ricky Manning, Jr., Tank Johnson, Hunter Hillenmeyer and others, were on hand to bowl with participants and help raise funds for Bears Care, the charitable beneficiary of the Chicago Bears. A portion of the proceeds will be used to host a holiday shopping spree for 50 children from the Chicago Housing Authority on Tuesday, December 12 at Target in Chicago. Lance will visit with the kids as they shop and help them spend their gift cards. For more information about the Briggs 4 Kidz Jock-N- Bowl, please visit Lance Briggs posed for a photo with fans at his Jock-N-Bowl charity bowling tournament. Cedric Benson helped a youngster with his homework during a recent visit to the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club in Chicago. POWER HOUR Running back Cedric Benson and guard Anthony Oakley appeared at the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club in Chicago on Tuesday, November 28 for the Power Hour tutoring program. Cedric and Anthony helped students with their homework and answered questions about themselves before heading to the game room, where they challenged the kids to some friendly competitions. The Bears partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago in supporting this initiative, which is designed to encourage students to focus on academics after school and reward them for their achievements. This tutoring program takes place once a month during the football season at various Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Chicago. FIRST & GOAL FOR FITNESS Bears safety Tyler Everett joined mascot Staley and emcee Christie Lennsvaart at Transfiguration School in Wauconda on Tuesday, November 14 to speak to students about the importance of healthy living as part of Staley s First and Goal program. This high energy program combines education and comedy in an effort to jumpstart students desire to begin living a smarter and healthier life through four downs, which encourage kids to eat healthy, drink lots of water, get proper rest, and be physically active. As part of the program, students will chart their progress on their way to living Tyler Everett and mascot Staley presented the First & Goal program at Transfiguration School in Wauconda. a healthy life by following the four downs for 12 weeks. For more information about the First and Goal program, please log on to

5 Roberto Garza has been selected as the Bears 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. MAN OF THE YEAR Congratulations to Roberto Garza for being the Bears nominee for the 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year award! This prestigious NFL award is the only League award that recognizes a player s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence, and honors players who demonstrate outstanding balance in their lives between civic and professional responsibilities. As one of a few Hispanic players in the NFL, Roberto believes that it is important for him to give back to the Hispanic community, as well as promote and teach the game of football. Some of Roberto s recent contributions to the community include serving as a National Spokesman for the 2006 NFL/United Way campaign; purchasing and donating a block of 19 season tickets to various charities through the Bears Home Team Hand-Off ticket donation program; serving as the Bears representative for the NFL Take a Player to School program; and spearheading Futbol Americano con Roberto, which introduced over 250 Hispanic children to the game of youth football. Each of the 32 Man of the Year finalists, one from each NFL team, will receive a $1,000 contribution toward the charity of his choice. The overall winner will receive $25,000 to donate to his selected charity. The 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner will be announced at Commissioner Roger Goodell s press conference during Super Bowl week in Miami. Congratulations Roberto, and best of luck! KICKS FOR A CAUSE Robbie Gould will be hosting his first Kicks for a Cause holiday event at Kids Hope United in Lake Villa on Tuesday, December 19. Each child will receive a pair of Nike shoes and a backpack, courtesy of Nike and Robbie. The group will then enjoy a luncheon, catered by Portofino Italian Bistro in Vernon Hills. Robbie will also hand out gifts to the kids and present Kids Hope United with a check from contributions raised by students and families within the Gurnee Public School system. Kids Hope United provides advocacy, support and treatment to over 15,000 children and families in four different states. They offer a diverse array of prevention, intervention and community-based services, including prevention services, child development, counseling, family preservation and placement services. Brian Urlacher visited with a child from the Make-A-Wish Foundation following practice at Halas Hall. The Bears 2006 high school Coach of the Week winners were honored during halftime of the Bears vs. Vikings game. CONTACT THE CHICAGO BEARS COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT (847)