LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Several Bears players spent their day off Tuesday volunteering their time for good causes throughout the Chicago area.

Matt Forte helps put a bicycle helmet on a student at Hayt Elementary School on Tuesday.

Running back Matt Forte visited Hayt Elementary School in Chicago to conduct a pedestrian safety clinic in advance of Halloween. The event was part of the sixth annual FedEx Air & Ground players of the week program, which encourages fans to vote for top players throughout the season.

Linebacker Nick Roach spoke to 100 students at Robeson High School in Chicago about the importance of good attendance and continuing education. Robeson held a competition between its students to see whose classrooms could achieve the highest attendance rates. The winning classrooms attended the assembly featuring Roach.

Tight end Greg Olsen visited North River Elementary School in Chicago in support of the Bears’ school outreach program. Each Tuesday during the season, Bears players visit Chicago public schools to motivate and interact with students. 

The theme of the program is character development, goal-setting, commitment to excellence and the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle.

Defensive tackle Anthony Adams visited John C. Haines Elementary School in Chicago in support of the Bears’ “Hello to Our Heroes” program. Adams helped students write letters to members of the military who have recently returned from service overseas. The program, which is sponsored by Staples, was developed by the Bears in 2005 in an effort to boost morale of American soldiers.

Linebacker Jamar Williams and quarterback Caleb Hanie spoke to students at New Trier High School in Winnetka about the importance of organ donation as part of the “Youth for Life: Remembering Walter Payton” program.

The “Youth for Life” organization was founded in 2001 by four area teens including Brittney Payton, the daughter of legendary Bears running back Walter Payton. The program seeks to educate high school students about organ and tissue donation. They dedicated the effort to Payton, who died in 1999 of a liver ailment while awaiting a transplant.

Three Bears players are scheduled to appear at the Jewel-Osco store in Gurnee (6509 W. Grand Avenue) Tuesday night in support of the 21st Annual Chicago Bears/Jewel-Osco Coat Drive.

Fans, who are encouraged to donate a coat, will have the opportunity to meet defensive end Alex Brown (6-7 p.m.), defensive lineman Israel Idonije (7-8 p.m.) and wide receiver Johnny Knox (8-9 p.m.).

Shoppers who update their Jewel-Osco preferred card at the event will have the chance to win a Bears helmet autographed by Brown, Idonije and Knox. Winter coats may be dropped off at any of the 186 Jewel-Osco stores throughout the Chicago area through Dec. 4.