The Chicago Bears and USA Football, the sport's national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, recently awarded football equipment and uniform grants to youth and scholastic football programs throughout the Chicago area based on merit and need.
USA Football partners with the Bears and all NFL clubs to annually distribute more than $1.5 million in equipment and uniform grants to youth and school-based football programs across the United States. The program has awarded more than $9.5 million in football equipment since 2006. USA Football equipment and uniform grants are made possible through support from the NFL Foundation.
Grants are valued up to $1,500 for youth programs and $2,500 for middle school and high school programs, offering new equipment, uniforms and flag football equipment to advance the benefits and fun of playing football. Grants are fulfilled through USA Football with its equipment partner Riddell and its uniform provider Siege Sports.
USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the Bears, the NFL and each of the league's other 31 teams.
"We are pleased to work with USA Football and our teams to donate much-needed equipment to youth football leagues and school-based football programs nationwide," said Alexia Gallagher, director of the NFL Foundation. "These equipment grants will help ensure that youngsters who share our love of the game are able to play it safer."
"The health and safety of every young football player is our No. 1 priority," USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said. "Having proper equipment is an important step toward that goal. Even with fundraising and strict attention to budgets, many leagues and school districts need help to properly outfit their young athletes who love to play football and enjoy the fun and fitness that comes with it. We are proud to lead this important program with support from the Bears, the NFL Foundation, Riddell and Siege Sports."
Chicago area youth and school-based school programs awarded a 2016 USA Football Equipment Grant:
ORGANIZATION
CITY
Alsip Falcons - Metro Youth Football League
Alsip
Angels Youth Football Association
Racine (Wisconsin)
Baker College Prep
Chicago
Bradley Lions Jr. Football
Bradley
Chicago AYF
Chicago
Chicago Cowboys
Chicago
Chicago Tech Academy High School Chicago, IL
Chicago
Chicagoland Youth Football League, Inc
Chicago
De La Salle Institute
Chicago
Elgin Youth Football League
Elgin
Elmwood Park Rush
Elmwood Park
Families Helping Our Future NFP
Park Forest
Gary - Northern Indiana Pop Warner
Merrillville (Indiana)
Griffith High School
Highland (Indiana)
Harvard School of Excellence: AUSL
Chicago
Harvey Colts - Chicagoland Pop Warner
Calumet City
Hubbard High School
Chicago
Kaneland Youth Football League
Aurora
Kankakee Valley Pop Warner
Wheatfield (Indiana)
KAOS Sports Foundation
Chicago
Marine Leadership Academy
Crystal Lake
Michiana - Northern Indiana Pop Warner
South Bend (Indiana)
Monee Mavericks Football Cheer
Monee
Near North Raiders
Chicago
NIYFL-John Glenn
North Liberty (Indiana)
North Shore Youth Football Club
Northbrook
RCPF
Racine (Wisconsin)
Riverdale Jaguars
Calumet City
Robbins/Cal Park Eagles - Chicagoland Pop Warner
Chicago
Romeoville Spartans - River Valley Youth Football League
Romeoville
Roosevelt High School Chicago
Spring Grove
Roseland Volunteers
Chicago
Round Lake Spartans Football & Cheerleading
Round Lake Beach
Senn High School
Chicago
South Holland Jets - Will-Cook Youth Football Association
Merrillville (Indiana)
Southtowne Stallions
Lansing
St. Mary of the Woods - CGSC
Chicago
Tomcat Youth Tackle Football
Bristol
Will Cook Kankakee Youth Association
Kankakee
About USA Football: USA Football evolves and grows the sport through innovative standards and best practices to advance coach and player development, participation and safety within the fun of the game and its inherent values. As the sport's national governing body and member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Football partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players.
To learn more about USA Football visit www.usafootball.com
