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 The Chicago Bears have a longstanding tradition of supporting numerous charities and assisting those in need. Bears Care was incorporated in 2005 as a 501 (c) 3 organization committed to improving the quality of life for people in the Chicagoland community, especially disadvantaged children and their families, through targeted programs supporting education, youth athletics, and medical research and health awareness programs focusing on breast and ovarian cancer. Since that time Bears Care has issued grants totaling over $4.5 million to nearly 50 qualifying agencies. If you are interested in making a donation, please make checks payable to Bears Care and mail to the address below:Bears Care 1000 Football Drive Lake Forest, IL 60045
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| 2010 Bears Care Gala |
| On Saturday evening May 15, 2010, Bears Care will host the fifteenth annual Bears Care Gala, “Brian’s Song…So That Others May Live to Sing,” in the United Club at Soldier Field. The Gala, named in honor of Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo who lost his life to cancer nearly forty years ago, has raised over $8 million to battle breast and ovarian cancer since 1996. These diseases have touched all our lives in some way, and Bears Care is dedicated to raising funds to support research and treatment programs, and to helping find a cure. We are pleased to have Motorola again serving as the marquee sponsor for the Gala, and welcome Jel-Sert as an associate sponsor of the event. Both organizations have a long history of supporting the Gala, and we also appreciate the loyalty and generosity that our guests and individual donors have provided. This is a truly unique evening that gives guests the opportunity to meet and mingle with Chicago Bears players, coaches and staff, while raising money for a cause to which Bears Care is so committed. Individual ticket prices begin at $400. f you are interested in attending the Bears Care Gala, please e-mail bearscare@bears.nfl.com or call 847-739-5325 for additional information. |
| Holiday Giving Initiative |
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| Bear Appetit |
 Bears Care hosted an exciting new event, Bear Appétit, at Wildfire Chicago last November. The event showcased specialties from various Lettuce Entertain You restaurants and samplings of fine wines, with appearances by current and former Chicago Bears players including Jay Cutler, Greg Olsen, Charles Tillman, and Richard Dent among others. In conjunction with this event celebrating food, football and our fans, Bears Care awarded a $100,000 grant to the Greater Chicago Food Depository for support of its holiday hunger initiatives. |
| Real Bears Fans Wear Pink |
 Thank you for your help kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness month by supporting the “Real Bears Fans Wear Pink” t-shirt campaign. All proceeds will benefit Bears Care, the charitable beneficiary of the Chicago Bears. Bears Care will distribute the proceeds to organizations in the Chicagoland area that provide care, assistance and support services to breast cancer patients and their families. Thank you for teaming up with Bears fans across the country to make a difference.View Real Bears Wear Pink photo gallery |
| Bears Care Supports Back-to-School Fair at Training Camp |
 On August 1, Bears Care, Catholic Charities – Diocese of Joliet, and TeamSmile hosted a Back-to-School Fair on the campus of Olivet Nazrene University for nearly 1,000 deserving students from the Kankakee area. Over forty area social service agencies participated and provided information and free services such as vision testing, diabetes screening and haircuts to those in attendance. Dr. Bill Busch and Team Smile offered free dental health education, digital x-rays and screening, and provided a wide array of state-of-the-art dental treatments onsite to the kids free of charge, including fillings, extractions and root canals. A DJ provided music and videos to entertain the crowd, and prize giveaways, face painters and games added to the festive mood. The Fair also featured visits from Head Coach Lovie Smith and several Chicago Bears players including, Anthony Adams, Jason Davis, Dusty Dvoracek, Israel Idonije, Tommie Harris, Brad Maynard, Adewale Ogunleye, Adrian Peterson, and Matt Toeaina. As the children departed they each received a box containing all of their school supplies for their upcoming year and a healthy lunch! In addition to Catholic Charities and TeamSmile, support was also provided by Gallup and Midwest Dairy Association. |
The Chicago Bears, Bears Care and United Airlines hosted a holiday party for more than 500 people at the United Club at Soldier Field on December 15 to help brighten the spirits of deserving children and their families. The 2009 Bears Rookie Class, including Al Afalava, Johan Asiata, Kahlil Bell, Kevin Brock, Jarron Gilbert, Juaquin Iglesias, Johnny Knox, Lance Louis, Kevin Malast, Henry Melton, D.J. Moore, Will Ta’ufo’ou and Woodny Turenne, along with Bears mascot, Staley, attended the event. They interacted with the children and families and assisted with the various children’s activities including bingo, musical chairs, “Pilot Says,” Bears “Baggo” games, a youth football obstacle course, football toss, crafts, and more.