AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION HOLIDAY PARTY

The Chicago Bears annually support the American Brain Tumor Association by having a player dress up as Santa Claus and deliver toys and Christmas cheer at the American Brain Tumor Association's annual holiday party. Current and former Bears players have been donning the Santa suit for this great cause since 1999.

As part of the Chicago Bears continual support of military initiatives, our 2007 pre-season vs. Cleveland was designated as the Armed Forces Benefit Game.  In recognition of this game, the Chicago Bears donated over 1,000 complimentary tickets to men and women of the military and their families.  2007 marked the fourth consecutive season that the Bears honored the military by hosting the Armed Forces Benefit Game at Soldier Field.

The Chicago Bears continued a tradition of community spirit started by head coach Lovie Smith in 2004, the entire Bears coaching staff donated a bicycle to one of 25 local children on August 17, following the team's afternoon practice.  The bikes were used by the coaching staff to get around the Olivet Nazarene campus during Bears training camp.

The Bourbonnais Police Department, Kankakee County Sheriff's Department, Bradley Police Department, and Illinois State Police worked with the Pembrook Food Pantry and the Kankakee Valley Park District to identify 25 worthy youngsters to receive the bikes.  The boys and girls ranged in age from 10-15 years old, represented all different ethnic backgrounds, and lived in different areas throughout Kankakee County.

Bears kicker Robbie Gould joined 50 children from Chicago Housing Authority developments on Thursday, December 13 at the Dick's Sports Goods in Niles for an exciting evening of holiday shopping.  The kids, ages 8-12, were selected to participate in the shopping spree based on perfect school attendance and/or honor roll achievement.  Dick's Sporting Goods was proud to partner with the Chicago Bears on this event and provided each child with a $100 gift card.  Students from Warren Elementary School in Gurnee also participated in this project and helped raise over $1,000 to donate to the shopping spree.  That donation was matched by Bears Care, the charitable beneficiary of the Bears, bringing the total amount each child received to $140.  The Bears also provided bus transportation and dinner for the 50 deserving children.

Bears guard Roberto Garza appeared at St. Luke School in River Forest on Tuesday, November 13 as part of the NFL “Take a Player to School Day.”  Garza visited 8th grade students and spoke to them about the importance of in-school and after-school education, and also offered football instruction.  To encourage children ages 6-13 to stay in school and become involved in after-school programs, the “Take a Player to School” sweepstakes selected one winner in each of the 32 NFL markets and two non-NFL markets.

Bears running back Adrian Peterson and guard Josh Beekman joined the Des Plaines Police and Fire Departments at North School in Des Plaines on Tuesday, September 11 for Safety Day.  Over 300 students from 3rd through 5th grades participated in several hands-on safety demonstrations highlighting fire, bike and personal safety.  This event marked the sixth consecutive year that the Chicago Bears have partnered with Chicago area fire and police departments and schools to educate children about the importance of public safety.

SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY

The Chicago Bears have always been extremely supportive of the Armed Forces and Military and have initiated numerous events and activities to show our support for the men and women who defend our country. 

Bears defensive tackle Anthony Adams and safety Josh Gattis visited the VA Medical Center in North Chicago on Tuesday, November 6 in honor of Veterans’ Day.  The players spoke with and signed autographs for veterans who are currently patients at the facility.  The North Chicago VA Medical Center is a caring community, proud to provide patient centered, coordinated health care to Veterans, Navy and all VA/Dod sharing patients.  The center consists of 150 operating hospital beds, 204 nursing home care beds, a 60-bed domiciliary for homeless veterans, and 89 beds for alcohol and drug abuse.

On December 21, Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould, linebacker Rod Wilson, guard Josh Beekman, and defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo visited the United Service Organizations (USO) Center at O'Hare airport.  They were there to support the USO of Illinois and members of the U.S. military.  USO of Illinois was presented with a $25,000 check from the Bears and Bears Care, the team's charitable beneficiary.

In addition, the Chicago Bears have a long-standing relationship with Great Lakes Naval Station. We have worked with their Morale, Welfare and Recreation department on a variety of programs and initiatives including annual visit by the sailors to the Bears training facility to watch practice and player appearances at morale-building events on base. The Bears also consistently support veterans' hospitals through player appearances, visits to Training Camp, and ticket donations.