 Each year, the Chicago Bears organization gives new meaning to the word "teamwork." The entire organization - including players, coaches, executives and staff - joins together to participate in a hands-on activity. "Paws for a Cause" addresses the need to help deserving children and families through hands-on volunteer efforts. This program encourages everyone to take time out of their busy schedules for one day to actively make a difference in the lives of people who are most in need.
In 2008, the Chicago Bears, Bears Care and United Airlines hosted a holiday party for more than 500 people at the United Club at Soldier Field in Chicago on Wednesday, December 17 to help brighten the spirits of deserving children and their families. Linebacker Brian Urlacher, kicker Robbie Gould, wide receiver Rashied Davis, and Bears mascot, Staley, all joined United Airlines pilots and flight attendants to interact with the children and families and assist with the various children’s activities. Bears staff, coaches and players, along with United Airlines employees, had the opportunity to “adopt” a child or family and grant their holiday wishes by purchasing items on their wish lists. The six non-profit organizations that benefited from this holiday giving initiative included the Chicago Housing Authority, Department of Children and Family Services, James Jordan Foundation, Teen Living Program, WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger), and the Chicago Park District’s Trumbull Park Eagles, a youth football team that tragically lost one of their teammates to gun violence.
Some past "Paws for a Cause" events have included assisting with a home build for the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, sorting food at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and helping with the construction of a playground at a local YMCA, plus others. |
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Bears School Outreach
Hello to Our Heroes
Each Tuesday during the football season, Bears players visit Chicago Public Schools to speak to, motivate, and interact with students as part of the Bears School Outreach program. .gif)
The "Hello to Our Heroes" program, which is sponsored by Staples, was developed by the Chicago Bears in an effort to help boost the morale of American soldiers who are currently serving overseas. In support of this program, a Bears player visits a different local school once a month during the football season to help students write letters to members of the military. These letters are sent to the USO of Illinois for distribution overseas. 
For the fifth consecutive school year, the Chicago Bears and ComEd have partnered together to bring the “Tales to Tackle” reading program to students throughout Chicago and the suburbs. Last year, this reading incentive program reached over 7,800 middle school students in almost 100 different schools. The main component of the “Tales to Tackle” program is a reading notebook, which includes photos of Bears players. The notebook also includes a list of suggested books and has plenty of space for students to write book reports and allows the students to keep track of the books that they read during the program..gif)
Bears Care currently has a three-year relationship with St. Thomas the Apostle School, via the Big Shoulders Fund’s Patrons Program, and presented a check in the amount of $300,000 on June 6. Through the Big Shoulders Fund’s innovative Patrons Program, Bears Care will serve as the Patron of St. Thomas the Apostle School for the 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. .gif)
Play It Smart is an educational program targeted at high school football players from economically disadvantaged environments in which family and community support are often lacking. The program, designed to transform student-athletes’ passion for sport and intense dedication to their team into a force for greater good in their lives, is remarkably successful. Play It Smart participants graduate from high school and go on to college at rates well above those of their peers. 
Play 60 is the NFL's youth health and fitness campaign. Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, Play 60 focuses on making the next generation of kids the most active and healthy by encouraging them to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
The Chicago Bears, Walgreens, and the American Heart Association are proud to bring the “What Moves U” fitness program to Chicago area schools. This program teaches middle school students about the importance of being physically active. 
"Bear Hugs" was created to lift the spirits of sick children in hospitals throughout Chicagoland with the help of Bears mascot "Staley." Through "Bear Hugs," Staley visits various children’s hospitals each month. He delivers teddy bears, spends time with young patients and spreads his cheer throughout the medical facilities. 
“Start Your Game Right, Designate a Driver.” The Chicago Bears, Sportservice, and Miller Brewing Company encourage fans to sign up to be Designated Drivers. If you are 21 years of age or older, pledge not to drink alcohol beverages at a Bears game, and will provide responsible transportation for all members of your group, please stop by a Fan Services booth to receive a Designated Driver wrist band and coupon for a complimentary soft drink. 
Bears season ticket holders unable to attend a Bears home game may donate tickets to Special Olympics Illinois through our Bears Share ticket donation program. This program gives Special Olympics athletes and volunteers the opportunity to experience a game. 
Novartis, Walgreens and the Bears have teamed up to provide free, comprehensive support for adults with high blood pressure. Free blood pressure screenings are taking place at the Weber Ultimate Tail Gate area prior to the Bears home games on September 21, September 28, October 19 and November 2. 
The Chicago Bears were proud to partner with Jewel-Osco for the 20th Annual Bears/Jewel-Osco "Coat Drive." From September 29, 2008 – November 30, 2008 fans were encouraged to help deserving families during the holiday season by donating winter coats. Over 40,000 coats were collected. Donations benefited The Salvation Army and public schools throughout Chicagoland. Bears fans were able to donate coats at Jewel-Osco stores throughout Chicagoland. 
The Chicago Bears annually support the NFL/United Way “Hometown Huddle” volunteerism program. 
Each year, the Bears Rookie Class participates as a group in four hands-on volunteer activities as part of the Bears “Rookie Rally” program. This program 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. The “Rookie Rally” program helps the rookies learn more about their new community, serve several worthwhile charitable organizations in the area, and bond together through volunteerism. 