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Super Bowl XXXVII Community Outreach Programs

Super Bowl XXXVII Community Outreach Programs

Published 01-20-03

Submitted by National Football League (NFL)

SAN DIEGO, CA - Super Bowl XXXVII brings much more than football to San Diego area residents. Throughout the week preceding the game, more than 40 charitable activities will enliven, enrich and assist the community and provide lasting legacies. The week's activities will also include the announcements of the annual Walter Payton Man of the Year and recognition of the 2002 NFL High School Coach of the Year, who this year hails from the San Diego area.

"The Super Bowl is much more than three hours of football on Sunday," said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. "Working with members of the local community, we are able to leave behind lasting legacies that will improve the lives of people in the San Diego area for years to come. The message of working together to strengthen our communities resonates even stronger this Super Bowl in light of recent world events."

Following are just some of the ways that the NFL and Super Bowl XXXVII will benefit the host community of San Diego:

NFL YOUTH EDUCATION TOWN (YET)
NFL Youth Education Towns are educational and recreational facilities for at-risk children that have been established in the host cities of the past ten Super Bowls. This year, funds donated by the National Football League and local sponsors will be used to create a $2 million endowment which will fund YET programming and physical plant improvements to the existing YET center and fund the creation of a satellite campus across town in City Heights.

The primary mission of YET is to enhance educational opportunities for at-risk children. YET accomplishes this goal by providing funds and assistance to establish or supplement existing after-school facilities and services, including recreational fields and courts, tutorial and counseling services, computers and other technological necessities.

The YET Center in San Diego is housed in a newly-renovated 5,000 square-foot facility equipped with a new high-tech computer lab, classrooms and counseling offices, a recreation room for sports and cultural activities, and an outdoor courtyard. The program offers youth ages 12-17, year-round services including special weekend day and overnight outings. YET youth have unlimited access to the facilities services Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Programs offered include: academic enhancement, health education, mentoring, job skill development, physical fitness, cultural arts, computer education, life skills, social services, out-of-school suspension, sports & recreation, and family time.

A press conference with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, NFL players, community leaders and celebrities will be held Thursday, Jan. 23, at 4:00 p.m., at the NFL YET Center, located at 2220 Broadway. Tagliabue, Steve Young and Jeff Garcia will be on hand to award the $2 million check and unveil Young's "Forever Young Zone" which is part of a collaborative effort by the Forever Young Foundation, the NFL, Sun Microsystems and the San Diego Youth and Community Services to provide inner-city youth at the Center with access to computers, the Internet, and the latest software technology.

From Monday, Jan. 20 - Thursday, Jan. 23, from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., The NFL - Youth Education Town is opening its doors to the public for an Open House. The community is encouraged to come and meet the energetic staff and hear about the success of the program since it's opening in 1998!

For more information about YET in San Diego, please call 619-232-8126.

AMERICA ONLINE PRESENTS THE NFL EXPERIENCE
The NFL and America Online, Inc., will team up to present the most exciting continuous event surrounding Super Bowl XXXVII - America Online Presents the NFL Experience, Jan. 18-19 and 23-26 at the South Embarcadero Marina Park in San Diego, California. The interactive theme park, which precedes Super Bowl each year, features more than 50 pro football-related games, displays and entertainment attractions.

Visitors can test their running, passing, kicking and punting skills by participating in a variety of fun interactive attractions including "Quarterback Challenge," a passing accuracy game and "Fair Catch," a punt reception game. Additionally, fans can partake in America Online and state-of-the-art football video game systems, dress like their favorite football heroes in "Gear Up and Go!" and take part in various youth football, referee and Football 101 clinics.

As many as 50 NFL superstars will be available to meet fans and sign free autographs at the Topps Super Bowl XXXVII Card Show, the largest football card exhibit ever that features displays from leading manufacturers, including rare collectibles. Call 1-888-NFL-CARD for a daily appearance schedule.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the NFL Youth Education Town (YET) in San Diego. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. All games and activities are included with the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased on http://www.superbowl.com , at select TicketMaster outlets in the San Diego area, or by calling (866) T I X - 4 N F L (849-4635).

KIDS DAY
Kids Day gives 5,000 local children the opportunity to attend a private session of America Online Presents the NFL Experience, Monday, Jan. 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. NFL players will be on hand to greet the youngsters.

NFL ALUMNI SUPER BOWL XXXVII YOUTH CLINIC
Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nat Moore has assembled more than 50 NFL players to teach football basics and provide inspirational messages to 3,000 local children from San Diego and over 500 children from Tijuana, Mexico at the 15th annual NFL Alumni Super Bowl XXXVII Youth Clinics, Saturday, Jan. 18, at the University of California San Diego and Sunday, Jan. 19, at Crea Stadium in Tijuana, Mexico. The free clinics will be divided into sessions, Saturday: 8:00-10:05 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Sunday 2:00-4:20 p.m.

During each the sessions, participants will split into small groups and rotate between stations managed by players from around the National Football League. Players will teach the fundamentals of their positions, demonstrate and direct non-contact football drills, present an education and drug awareness program, deliver motivational speeches and sign autographs. In addition, the R&B group "Strong" will be performing one of their songs off of their new album due out this summer.

At the conclusion of each session, participants will receive gift bags filled with NFL merchandise, to provide a lasting reminder of the message presented throughout the day.

For more information, contact the NFL Alumni Super Bowl XXXVII Youth Clinic at 619-228-7123.

NFL SUPER BOWL XXXVII CHEERLEADING SPIRIT CLINIC
More than 1,000 young women from San Diego area schools (grades 5-12) will learn football fundamentals, teamwork, cheering skills and dance techniques at the Super Bowl XXXVII Cheerleading Spirit Clinic, Saturday, Jan. 18, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., at the NFL Experience in San Diego.

This annual clinic, organized by Super Bowl Pregame show choreographer and American All-Star President Lesslee Fitzmorris, of Mandeville, La., gives young women the opportunity to experience the excitement of Super Bowl firsthand at a free event designed specifically for them.

NFL coaches and players will teach football fundamentals. American All-Star cheerleaders will team up with NFL and collegiate cheerleaders to teach cheer and dance techniques. Positive female role models including Pop Singer Brandy, MTV host and musical artist Christina Milian, Visteon Race Car Driver Audrey Zavodsky, Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer Janet Evans, and KGTV ABC News Anchor Carol LeBeau will speak about the importance of getting a good education, living drug-free and striving to achieve dreams.

Invitations to participate were sent to all public and private schools in the San Diego area. The first 1,000 young women registered were invited to participate.

PLAYER VISITS
During the week of Super Bowl, many NFL players will volunteer their time to go out into the community to spread good cheer, gifts and positive messages. On Monday, Jan. 20, players will play bingo and cards with senior residents at the McColl Health Center from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon, and will interact with youngsters from the San Diego Youth Education Town (YET) Center at Martin Luther King Day at America Online presents the NFL Experience from 10:00-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, players will visit young patients at Children's Hospital and communicate online with other ailing youngsters via the STARBRIGHT program, from 10 a.m.-12:00 Noon, and will spend time listening to and offering constructive advice to young men at Juvenile Hall from 3:30-5:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, players will visit with military families at the Navy Region South West from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and will participate in various activities with youngsters at the San Diego YET Center from 3:30-5:00 p.m.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, players will join Miss America 2003 in going back to school as they visit with children from grades K-3 at Carson Elementary School from 9:00-10:30 a.m., teenagers at San Diego High School from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., and students with special needs at Lindbergh/Schweitzer Elementary School from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

On Friday, January 24, players will set to work painting and rehabilitating homes at the Rebuilding Together Kickoff to Rebuild event from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Players will also be doing bedside visits at Tijuana Hospital from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Media is not permitted inside Juvenile Hall but is welcome to join players at any of the other visits. For media information on player visits, please contact Lara Potter at 619-228-7041.

SUPER BOWL XXXVII ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM
One of the ongoing community efforts is the NFL's Environmental Program. During the past nine years, this program has worked to combine sound business decisions and good environmental practices in ways that benefit the host ocommunity. This year, the NFL is sponsoring four projects as part of this program.

A Recycling Project at the main event facilities will work with vendors, facilities staff and event managers to recycle as much of the waste stream as possible and reduce the amount of waste going to local landfills.

The Sports Equipment and Book Collection Project will gather used, but usable, and new sports equipment and books from students at a variety of schools in the San Diego area. These items will be donated to the local NFL YET Center and to other local youth programs.

The Material Donations Project looks at innovative ways to reuse and recycle decorative, building, and other surplus materials from NFL event venues in ways that will benefit the local community. Leftover materials will be donated to local non-profits for reuse and, in some cases, for fundraising.

The Prepared Food Collection Project works in partnership with the local San Diego Food Bank to maximize the collection and distribution of extra food from events during Super Bowl week. More than 20,000 pounds of perishable food will be recovered.

The program has been extremely successful; collecting, donating and recycling hundreds of tons of materials. In addition, from Super Bowl XXX to Super Bowl XXXVI, more than 200,000 pounds of food has been collected from various events and distributed to local community-based agencies.

SUPER BOWL XXXVII "CAREERS IN SPORTS" LECTURE SERIES
Local college students and area residents learned about sports careers through a series of free NFL-sponsored lectures held in November at the University of San Diego and San Diego State University.

The seminars featured speakers in the areas of sports broadcasting and production, sports public relations, sports marketing, sports law, sports medicine, and human resources. Among the many speakers who donated their time was CBS Sports Broadcaster Bonnie Bernstein, Oakland Raiders Coach Tom Flores, San Diego Chargers Public Relations Director Bill Johnston, NFL lawyer Adolpho Birch, Upper Deck Sports Marketing Executive Chris Stuart and Senior Corporate Counsel Reid Middleton, XTRA 690 Sports Commentator Billy Ray Smith, Brener Zwikel & Associates Sports Public Relations and Community Relations Executive Lara Potter, Football Sports Marketing Executive Bonnie Bellingham, San Diego Chargers Athletic Trainer James Collins, San Diego Padres Public Relations Director John Dever, and NFL Special Events Executive Clayton Judge.

SUPER BOWL YOUTH FOOTBALL SUMMIT
The NFL will host a one-day summit for San Diego area youth and high school football coaches. The event will be held on Saturday, January 25th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Approximately 160 coaches will attend the summit, which will feature presentations and speeches from current and former NFL players, coaches, and administrators. The summit, which is also being supported by the San Diego CIF chapter, will focus on helping coaches help themselves and their players both on and off the field. Some topics that will be covered include player/coach relationships, off-season training, academic skills, and on-the-field tactics.

SEAT CUSHION PROGRAM
Volunteers from the San Diego Council of the Boy Scouts of America will be among the 750 volunteers placing commemorative seat cushions in 71,000 seats at Qualcomm Stadium for Super Bowl XXXVII. In return for their volunteer work, the NFL will provide an honorarium to each non-profit organization involved.

SUPER BOWL XXXVII TICKETS
The NFL allocated 250 Super Bowl XXXVII tickets for purchase to more than 100 non-profit organizations to enhance their fundraising efforts. An estimated $1,000,000 will be raised through these fundraising programs.

REBUILDING TOGETHER "KICKOFF TO REBUILD 2003"
Rebuilding Together (formerly known as Christmas in April) the nation's largest volunteer home rehabilitation initiative, will launch its 2003 campaign by tackling the rehab of two homes in San Diego on Friday, January 24, 2003. The Kickoff event is held annually in the Super Bowl host city and provides a significant demonstration of volunteer power. Current NFL players and members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will join NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and other volunteers, Friday, Jan. 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the homes located in the 4800 block of Lantana Street in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego.

A press conference and rally for volunteers will be held at 2 p.m. Featured guests will include Tagliabue and his wife Chan, Miss America 2003 Erika Harold and state and local officials. Kaiser Permanente is the Title Sponsor of this year's event, demonstrating the important relationship between housing and health, and furthering the company's investment and outreach in community building efforts.

The Tagliabue family has been involved in the work of Rebuilding Together for about two decades. Paul cites the similarities between the Super Bowl teams and the Rebuilding Together team, both "tackling tough challenges, with spirit and determination." This will be the second time Kickoff to Rebuild will occur in San Diego. In 1998 Alex Spanos, owner of the Chargers, helped to create an endowment fund for Rebuilding Together when he contributed $100,000 to the Tagliabue Rebuild America fund.

The mission of Rebuilding Together is to preserve and revitalize houses and communities across the U.S. This year over 8,000 families will be given the gifts of a warm, safe and dry house because of 250,000 volunteers in 865 cities and towns. Priority is given to elderly and disabled homeowners and families with children. For more information on Rebuilding Together, call 202-483-9083 or 1-800-4-REHAB 9 or visit the website: www.rebuildingtogether.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Several Habitat for Humanity events will take place throughout Super Bowl week including a volunteer building blitz where NFL players help build a new home which will be located at 1409 Sheryl Lane in National City. The Blitz Build featuring NFL players will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 2:00 p.m. A total of three homes will be built as part of the Super Bowl XXXVII program.

Celebrating its 26th anniversary year, Habitat for Humanity gives low-income families the opportunity to become homeowners. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 125,000 houses in 87 countries, including some 50,000 houses across the United States.

Three factors make Habitat houses affordable to low-income people worldwide. Houses are sold at no profit, with zero-interest charged on the mortgage. Homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision. And Habitat for Humanity's work is organized at the local level by more than 3,000 affiliates worldwide. Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. For more information, visit www.habitat.org or call Kimberly Moore at 229-924-6935.

NFL CHARITIES SUPER BOWL XXXVII GOLF CLASSIC
Amateur golfers from around the country will join 75 celebrities and members of the Pro Football Writers Association at the 19th Annual Super Bowl NFL Charities Invitational Golf Classic, Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

Each celebrity, including members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will be paired with a team of amateur golfers. Prizes will be awarded to the members of the first, second and third place teams on each course. Additionally, each golfer will receive a special Super Bowl commemorative plaque bearing photographs taken that day of each team and each individual with his or her celebrity captain. The entry fee -- a $1,500 donation to benefit the NFL YET Center in San Diego -- includes a pairings party on Friday at the Marriott Marina Hotel, brunch, golf, an awards party, and souvenir gifts from tournament sponsor, Reebok. For more information, call 201-489-0049.

TASTE OF THE NFL XII
Taste of the NFL XII, a food and wine-tasting extravaganza that pairs a renowned chef from each city of the 32 NFL teams with either a current or an alumni player from that team, will be held Saturday, Jan. 25, from 7-11:30 p.m., at the Town & Country Resort & Convention Center. Guests can sample specialty foods, meet the chefs and get photos and autographs from players and celebrity guests.

This "party with a purpose" exists to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief efforts in the United States. A portion of net proceeds will be distributed to key affiliates of Second Harvest with special emphasis this year placed on the San Diego Food Bank: A Program of Neighborhood House Association, as well as affiliates located in all cities that have NFL teams. The balance of net proceeds is distributed to various national organizations that in the past have included: The Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger, The United Way, and the Food Research and Action Center. Since its inception in 1992, the annual event has raised more than $3.3 million for hunger related charities.

Tickets cost $400 per person and $6,000 per corporate table and can be ordered by calling 952-835-7621. For more information, please visit the event website at http://www.tasteofthenfl.com or call media contact Jennifer Walker at
216-736-4443.

NFL GRIDIRON GLAMOUR
The brightest stars in the worlds of sports, modeling and entertainment will parade the fashion runway to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, at the seventh annual NFL Gridiron Glamour, Saturday, Jan. 25, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the San Diego Convention Center.

The celebrity fashion show, luncheon and auction, co-founded by NFL player Rodney Peete and his wife, actress and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete, will feature couture apparel from Saks Fifth Avenue, modeled by NFL players, professional athletes and entertainers. NFL legend Marcus Allen will host the event.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Salk Institute for Biological Studies Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at USC. For more information, please visit www.gridironglamour.org or call 310-385-1590.

GLOBAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP VII
San Diego Football Stars from 22 area high schools will compete against the best teenage football players from Mexico, Canada, Japan and Europe at the NFL Global Junior Championship VII, Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 25, at 12:00 Noon and 4 p.m., at Mira Mesa High School Stadium located on Reagan Road in San Diego near Qualcomm Stadium.

The NFL Global Junior Championship VII features five all-star teams from three different continents playing a round robin jamboree format shootout of games to decide the Championship winners. Team USA, coached by Ed Burke of Torrey Pines High School, will be comprised of high school players from the San Diego area who posted a minimum 3.0 GPA through their junior year.

MAKE-A-WISH
Children with life-threatening illnesses will realize their dream of meeting an NFL player, when they attend the Make-A-Wish Reception, Saturday January 25, from 3 to 4 p.m., at the Films Theatre, at America Online Present the NFL Experience. The 10 children and their families will meet and get autographs from NFL players. AJ Feeley of the Philadelphia Eagles and Mike McMahon of the Detroit Lions are tentatively scheduled.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. It is the largest wish-granting organization in the world, with 78 chapters in the United States and its territories, and 25 international affiliates on five continents. Since being founded in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 97,000 wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. For more information, visit www.wish.org.

PLAYERS GALA
The Players Gala is a Super Bowl viewing party, that features live musical performances from some of the top entertainers in the world, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and a guest list that includes professional athletes, celebrities, and the top corporate figures from across the country.

The event, which will be hosted by Ray Crockett of the Kansas City Chiefs, takes place Sunday, Jan. 26, starting at 9 p.m., at the Blue Tatoo. Tickets cost $60 in advance. Proceeds benefit the NFL YET Center in San Diego and the JAIMAN Foundation. For more information, log on to www.playersgala.com or contact Jay Wayman Henry III at 770-944-8390.

GAME DAY GRIDIRON CELEBRITY HOOPS
A star-studded team of NFL players, actors, television personalities, musicians and other athletes will participate in a competitive basketball at Game Day Gridiron Celebrity Hoops, Friday, Jan. 24, at 7:00 p.m., at the University of San Diego, Jenny Craig Pavilion. General admission tickets are $20 or $45 in advance, and $30 or $55 on the day of the event. VIP tickets are $100 in advance or $120 on the day of the event.

The event features multi-platinum recording artist Bow Wow, Morris Chestnut (Two Can Play That Game), Nick Cannon (Drumline, The Nick Cannon Show), Trey Smith (Tommy Hilfiger model, son of Will Smith), Anthony Anderson (Barbershop) and NFL players Terrell Owens (San Francisco 49ers), Marcellus Wiley (San Diego Chargers), Curtis Martin (New York Jets), LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers), Bobby Taylor (Philadelphia Eagles), R.W. McQuarters (Chicago Bears) and many more.

Proceeds benefit the Junior Achievers Motivated to Succeed (JAMS) Foundation. The mission of the JAMS Foundation is to enrich the quality of life of today's abused and neglected youths whose futures have been directly impacted by circumstances which have placed them within the foster care system. This year, the JAMS Foundation has selected The Polinsky Children's Center and the San Pasqual Academy, two San Diego charities that serve the city's abused and neglected children, to benefit from the event proceeds. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.jamsport.com or contact Michelle Mattis at 301-627-3706, mediarelations@jamsport.com.

NFL SUPER BOWL GOSPEL CELEBRATION
Some of gospel's most powerful and popular music artists will come together for the 2003 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, Friday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m., at the San Diego Sports Arena. The inspirational, family-oriented event will feature the Grammy Award-winning talents of Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, and Donnie McClurkin. NFL players will be on hand to take part in the celebration.

The average price for tickets is $35 per person, and can be purchased at the San Diego Sports Arena Box Office and TicketMaster locations. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the Special Olympics of San Diego and Christian Athletes United for Spiritual Empowerment (CAUSE). For more information please visit www.superbowlgospelcelebration.com or contact Melanie Few at 770-980-4925.

SUPER BOWL XXXVII LATINO COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS

SAN DIEGO - The National Football League participates in many charitable and promotional activities as part of Super Bowl week. This year, as part of the overall Super Bowl XXXVII roster of community outreach events and programs, the NFL will reach out to the Latino community in San Diego and Tijuana through its first-ever Super Bowl Latino Leadership Initiative. This program will focus on education and leadership opportunities for Latinos, which will include a series of workshops and seminars, youth football clinics, scholarships and ongoing financial support.

In total, the NFL is donating more than $300,000 through the first-ever Super Bowl Latino Leadership Initiative.

Super Bowl XXXVII Latino Leadership Series

The NFL is supporting the next generation of Latino leaders through the Super Bowl XXXVII Latino Leadership Series, a series of workshops and seminars taking place during Super Bowl week that address education and leadership opportunities for Latinos. Events are as follows:

Saturday, Jan. 18 - Youth Leadership Clinic - San Diego Hall of Champions

The NFL will partner with the Chicano Federation to host a Super Bowl youth leadership clinic where motivational speakers and NFL players, including San Diego linebacker Zeke Moreno, will work with 100 young people from Latino communities to help them set educational goals and develop leadership skills. Additionally, the NFL also will contribute to the annual Chicano Youth Leadership Camp, which will be held this summer at San Diego State University. The six-day camp is geared towards students between the ages of 15-18 who are interested in developing leadership skills and learning about being leaders in the Latino community.

Wednesday, Jan. 22 - Women's Leadership Clinic -San Diego Hall of Champions

The NFL is teaming up with the San Diego chapter of MANA, a national Latina organization that was founded in 1974 in Washington, D.C. by Mexican-American women dedicated to the betterment of their "herMANAs" (sisters). MANA's goal is to strengthen the Latina and her community by providing support and encouragement in attaining her educational and career goals. The NFL will host an educational session for 200 MANA members who will hear from various speakers including MTV deejay and musical artist Christina Milian and renowned motivational speaker Consuelo Kickbush. An NFL grant will also fund the MANA-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Career Development Conference in May 2003.

Thursday, Jan. 23 - Leaders of Tomorrow Workshop -San Diego Hall of Champions

The NFL will partner with the Chicano Federation on a special career and development workshop modeled after the organization's Leadership Training Institute (LTI). More than 250 up-and-coming Latino business, government and community leaders will hear from celebrity speakers including Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz and NFL motivational speaker Zach Minor about developing leadership skills. Additionally, the NFL will help fund the 2003 LTI 16-week program which brings community leaders, who are experts in their fields, to address students in the classroom. Topics include ethnic power structure, community organizing, public policy, public speaking, influence and use of media, and ethics and leadership challenges.

Tijuana Classroom Initiatives Fundacion Esperanza

As a part of its Super Bowl XXXVII Latino efforts, the NFL has donated $25,000 to Esperanza International, a humanitarian organization in Tijuana, Mexico to build classrooms for a new school in a region 10 miles south of the San Diego-Tijuana border. Esperanza ("Hope") International is dedicated to alleviating poverty in the San Diego-Tijuana trans-border region by building strong community leadership, while developing organizational skills and strengthened ties among community members.

The donation comes at an important time for Tijuana as a majority of the inhabitants live in great poverty. Some of Tijuana's poorest residents live in clapboard houses with no floors, heat or electricity. Many children struggle to receive an education and sometimes must walk three hours a day to the closest school where makeshift classrooms are set up in old farm stalls and abandoned buildings.

Tijuana Educational Linkage Committee

The NFL also will support its young neighbors in Tijuana, Mexico by donating $18,000 worth of computer supplies to the Tijuana Educational Linkage Committee. This organization seeks to improve educational opportunities and elevate the quality of life for Tijuana's young men and women by serving as a link between the business, government and academic sectors of the Tijuana community. The donated computer equipment will be distributed through the Tijuana school systems and will provide Tijuana's elementary schools with computer classrooms and Internet access.

Fundacion Televisa

The Super Bowl affords another opportunity for the NFL and Televisa, the largest Spanish language media company in the world, to again implement the 'Touchdowns for Education' program through Fundacion Televisa, Televisa's charity arm and one of the leading charity organizations in Mexico. This program provides computer labs to Tijuana schools for designated touchdowns scored during the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl XXXVII. The NFL and NFL Mexico will fund two computer labs at a cost of $18,000 each. Fundacion Televisa will at a minimum match these two labs for a total of four. On Friday, Jan. 24, NFL players and Televisa executives will participate in a ribbon cutting for one of the computer labs at a designated school in Tijuana. Televisa will create capsules of the event and broadcast them as part of its national Super Bowl coverage.

NFL Latino Scholarship Program

The NFL will contribute $50,000 in scholarships for Latino students in the San Diego area through the NFL Latino Scholarship Program. This program will provide scholarships as well as instructional courses involving basic money-management skills to Latino youth in the San Diego area. Scholarships will be provided to youth at different stages of the educational process ranging from middle school students to graduating high school seniors. And because 90 percent of high school seniors nationwide graduate without basic money-management skills, the youngsters who receive the NFL scholarships will participate in a mandatory financial literacy program. Additionally, the older students who receive cash grants for college through the NFL program can receive their scholarship via a debit card. This alternative will introduce the students to controlled spending via the use of a simulated "credit card" while also allowing the program to track appropriate expenditures. The NFL and the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SDCHCC) also will partner with the U.S. Treasury Department to arrange for younger scholarship recipients to receive U.S. Savings Bonds. These bonds will then be available for students when they graduate from high school and further their education careers at two or four-year colleges/ universities. The SDCHCC will match the NFL's donation with $20,000 and challenge the local corporate and civic communities to collectively match or surpass the Chamber's contribution.

Additional Latino Outreach programs:
Spirit of the Barrio Business Luncheon, Friday, Jan. 17, at Logan Heights Family Health Center

The NFL will sponsor the Logan Heights Family Health Center's "Spirit of the Barrio," a luncheon that provides an opportunity for Latinos in the business community to come together to hear different speakers address the marketplace and business in the San Diego area. The luncheons are held every other month. The January Super Bowl "Spirit of the Barrio" session will feature NFL Senior Vice President Jim Steeg who will talk about the game and its impact on the community and businesses in San Diego.

Latino Artists Super Bowl Mural Project - Saturday, Jan. 18 -- Sunday, Jan. 26, at America Online Presents the NFL Experience

During Super Bowl week at American Online presents the NFL Experience, young Latino artists from the San Diego area will participate in the creation of a commemorative Super Bowl mural in conjunction with the Centro Cultural de la Raza. The artists will design a mural that reflects the Super Bowl's community theme of opportunity, education and unity. During Super Bowl week, local students will paint the project at the American Online presents the NFL Experience on the Embarcadero waterfront allowing visitors to watch the mural come to life. After Super Bowl, the mural will then be displayed at a public venue in the San Diego area. In addition to the mural project, the NFL will provide grants to support fine arts programs and to help young people pursue careers in art and design.

The NFL will sponsor a fine arts leadership camp where professional artists will conduct a multi-day workshop with Latinos from the area. The camps will take place this summer with 10 artists teaching 10 different disciplines.

Youth Football & Cheer Clinics - Sunday, Jan. 19, at CREA Stadium, Tijuana, Mexico

The NFL will bring American football and some of its biggest stars to Tijuana at the NFL Alumni Youth and Cheer Clinic on January 19. The NFL and the Tijuana Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Tijuana school systems will host more than 1,000 youngsters to participate in the football and cheer clinics. Sixteen current NFL players will teach basic football skills. Music sensation Brandy, MTV veejay and musical artist Christina Milian and several NFL cheerleaders will teach cheerleading techniques to the event participants. All celebrities will distribute t-shirts, sign autographs, and deliver motivational messages that will help inspire the youngsters to take an active role in building their community.

The youth clinic will take place at CREA Stadium in Tijuana. In order to help provide the fans with an enjoyable experience at the clinic as well as at future youth football games in Tijuana, the NFL is contributing $28,000 to the
Tijuana Convention & Visitors Bureau for the installation of 1,500 bleacher seats at CREA Stadium.

NFL Youth Education Town (YET) Center Press Conference - Thursday, Jan. 23, 2220 Broadway, San Diego

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, NFL players, community leaders and celebrities will participate in a press conference announcing a $2 million contribution from the NFL and local sponsors to fund programming and physical
plant improvements to the existing NFL Youth Education Town (YET) Center, which is in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in San Diego, as well as a satellite YET Center located in City Heights. Tagliabue, Steve Young and Jeff Garcia will be on hand to award the $2 million check and unveil Young's "Forever Young Zone" which is part of a collaborative effort by the Forever Young Foundation, the NFL, Sun Microsystems and the San Diego Youth and Community Services to provide inner-city youth at the Center with access to computers, the Internet, and the latest software technology.

Nueva Fiesta Latina - Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Red Circle Cafe

The NFL, Coors, Pepsi and ESPN Deportes will host Hispanic media partners, multi-cultural marketing executives, local San Diego community leaders and NFL Latino players and alumni at Nueva Fiesta Latina - an event which commemorates the success of the 2002 NFL season while also celebrating the Latino culture. This private celebratory event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 6-9 p.m. at the Red Circle Cafe in San Diego's Gas lamp Quarter.

NFL Player Outreach in Tijuana - Friday, Jan. 24, at Hospital Infantil de las Californias, Tijuana, Mexico

NFL players will visit with young patients at the Hospital Infantil de las Californias in Tijuana. This facility is the project of The Foundation for the Children of the Californias, an organization based in San Diego, which seeks to improve the health and nutrition of children in the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico as well as the state of California.

Pepsi's Latin Day at NFL Experience - Friday, Jan. 24, at America Online Presents the NFL Experience

The NFL, Pepsi and ESPN Deportes will bring "Pepsi Latin Day" to the public in San Diego on Friday, Jan. 24 from 3-10 p.m. at America Online presents the NFL Experience. At the Pepsi stage, fans can meet their favorite NFL players and enjoy free performances by today's hot Latino musical performers including Laura Flores, Miah, and El Morro. Additionally, ESPN Deportes will offer "ESPN The Truck" tours, which provide attendees the opportunity to make their own videotape from behind the sports desk, as well as an "ESPN the Magazine" booth where fans can be featured on their own one-of-a-kind magazine cover. ESPN Deportes also will host a youth football clinic for 150 youngsters from the Barrio Station Youth Group. NFL players will serve as their coaches and NFL Experience attendees can view the camp at the Clinic Field.

Univision Sports Show - Saturday, Jan.18 & Saturday, Jan. 25, on Univision

Univision, the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States, is teaming up with the NFL to produce two live television events highlighting the NFL's widespread impact on the Latino community. Both shows, scheduled to air on Jan. 18 and Jan. 25 on Univision, will include interviews with Latino NFL players and cheerleaders as well as feature stories on the growth of NFL Latino fans and the widespread coverage of NFL games in the Latino community.

OTHER EVENTS
The following events, sanctioned by the San Diego Super Bowl XXXVII Host Committee or the NFL, will donate a portion of their proceeds to charity.

-- Operation Blessing's Supper Bowl 2003, Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Urban Village City Heights Park. A community festival that provides disadvantaged families with free groceries, youth sports clinics, games, entertainment, and other social services. For more information visit www.supperbowl.ob.org or call Michael Kowalski at 757-226-3402.

-- All-Star Salute to San Diego Kick-off Gala and Benefit, Saturday, Jan. 18, from 6 p.m. - 12 a.m. at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. The official Super Bowl XXXVII Host Committee Kick-off Gala and Benefit will raise awareness and financial support for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, San Diego Chapter. Jay Leno is the featured entertainment. For more information visit www.mssd.org/gala or call Allan Shaw at 858-974-8640.

-- NFLPA San Diego Chapter Golf Tournament, Sunday, Jan. 19, registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and tee off is at 9 a.m. at the Meadows at Del Mar Country Club. All proceeds go to building the FIRST Boundless Playground in San Diego, "Boundless by the Bay" at Tecolote Shores in Mission Bay. For more information please call Bonnie Philpott at 949-646-4367.

-- The Wayne Sevier Memorial Golf Tournament & Tribute Dinner, Tuesday, Jan. 21, the tournament begins at 10 a.m. and the dinner at 5 p.m. at La Costa Country Club. The Tribute Dinner will honor the accomplishments of Wayne Sevier both on and off the football field and raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of National City. For more information visit http://host.realsearch.net/wayne_sevier/home.asp or contact Tim Hall at 619-477-5445, thall@bgcnc.org

-- "The Bowl" Food Distribution, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at Dave and Buster's Restaurant. Mike Gallagher and the listeners of his nationally syndicated radio show are proud to partner with Intercept Hunger and Feed the Children to distribute approximately 40,000 pounds of food and hygiene products to hungry children and their families in the San Diego area. "Hall of Famers" representing the two Super Bowl XXXVII teams will be present to help in this effort. For more information contact Rick Hoelck at 858-382-0725, rhoelck@intercepthunger.org

-- NFL Alumni Legends Golf Tournament, Thursday, Jan. 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Torrey Pines Golf Course. The NFL Alumni Legends Golf Tournament serves as a major funding vehicle for the youth oriented programs of the NFL Alumni, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to caring for kids. For more information visit http://nflalumnieventsatthesuperbowl.com or contact Lou Raiola at 952-443-3979.

-- NFL Coaches Association Celebrity Golf Challenge, Thursday, Jan. 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Admiral Baker Golf Club. Past and present NFL coaches, players and other celebrities join in a fun-filled afternoon of golf to benefit the NFLCA and its youth development programs. For more information contact Genesis Marketing and Promotions at 561-394-8792.

-- San Diego Flavor Media Reception, Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Market Creek Plaza. An officially sanctioned Host Committee event, this media and sponsor party will raise funds for the SDABJ Scholarship program. This program is free for media with credentials. For more information visit http://www.sdabj.org/sd-flavor.htm or contact Denise Ward 619-718-5304, dward@sdabj.org

-- The Family Huddle, Thursday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Legoland. This event will feature current and retired NFL players, a live concert with Jessica Simpson and a LEGO building event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Inner-City Games and Athletes and Entertainers For Kids. For more information visit www.lego.com/eng/legoland/california or contact Katie Uhlman 760-918-5377. For Tickets call 760-918-5346.

-- 6th Annual NFL Alumni Super Bowl of Golf Showcase, Friday, Jan. 24 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at La Costa Resort. The NFL Alumni Super Bowl of Golf Showcase serves as a major funding vehicle for the youth oriented programs of the NFL Alumni, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to caring for kids. For more information visit http://nflalumnieventsatthesuperbowl.com or contact Lou Raiola 952-443-3979.

-- Athletes In Action Super Bowl Breakfast, Saturday, Jan. 25 from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. The Super Bowl XXXVII Breakfast, benefiting the non-profit, Christian outreach group Athletes in Action will feature the presentation of the prestigious Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award. This Award is presented by Bart Starr to the NFL player, voted on by his peers, who exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. For more information visit www.superbowlbreakfast.com or contact Terry Bortz at 800-416-9473.

-- NFL Alumni VIP Home Tour, Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. - 12 noon at Rancho Santa Fe. An officially sanctioned NFL event, the Alumni VIP Home Tour serves as a major funding vehicle for the youth oriented programs of the NFL Alumni, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to caring for kids. For more information visit http://nflalumnieventsatthesuperbowl.com/ or contact Lou Raiola at 952-443-3979.

-- 5th Annual NFL Alumni Super Bowl Sporting Clays Team Challenge, Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Lemon Grove Rod & Gun Club. An officially sanctioned NFL event, NFL legends and Olympic shooters will participate in the challenge with each team. The NFL Alumni Sporting Clays team Challenge serves as a major funding vehicle for the youth oriented programs of the NFL Alumni, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to caring for kids. For more information visit http://nflalumnieventsatthesuperbowl.com/ or contact Lou Raiola at 952-443-3979.

-- The Players Gala, Sunday, Jan. 26 from 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. at the Blue Tattoo. An officially sanctioned NFL event, the Party will attract top athletes and celebrities at the Super Bowl and will be hosted by Ray Crockett of the Kansas City Chiefs. Proceeds will be donated to the YET Center and the JAIMAN Foundation. For more information visit www.playersgala.com or contact Wayman Henry 770-944-8390 / 619-220-TIXS.

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