FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; TUES., MARCH 8, 2016
FROM CINCINNATI BENGALS PUBLIC RELATIONS
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BENGALS AND NFL FOUNDATION SUPPORT
COMMUNITY GROUPS WITH $80,000 IN GRANTS
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* As a part of their commitment to Greater Cincinnati, the Bengals and NFL Foundation have teamed up to recognize organizations that stand out for their commitment to our community. The Bengals distributed $80,000 to eight area charities in recognition of their work in Greater Cincinnati.*
* Three groups (American Heart Association, Cincinnati YMCA and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cincinnati) were recognized with grants from the NFL Play 60 program, which encourages youth to be active for 60 minutes each day in order to combat childhood obesity.*
* Two groups (Salvation Army and Armed Forces Ticket Association - AFTA) were recognized for their volunteer work in the community. AFTA is a long-time partner of the Bengals, through which the Club has donated more than $200,000 worth of tickets to Bengals games over the past two years.*
* Two youth football organizations, West Union Football Organization and Madeira Schools Foundation, were recognized for their commitment to developing the sport at the grassroots level.*
* Finally, the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation was awarded $5000 to assist women in need of access to free mammograms.*
*"Greater Cincinnati is blessed with many charities that help make our community better," said Katie Blackburn, Bengals Executive Vice President. "Large or small, each one touches people in need. We are proud to be associated with these organizations and appreciate the work they do each and every day". *
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* Following is a review of the individual grants:*
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- National Partnership Fund – Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation (TriHealth)
- $5,000
- This grant will allow the Good Samaritan Free Health Center to provide 36 free mammograms to women in our area.
- Youth Football Grant- West Union Football Organization (Adams County)
- $10,000
- Funding will help provide permanent lighting on Freedom Field in Adams County, Ohio. Freedom Field serves as the home field for nearly 200 football athletes ranging from eight to 18 years of age.
- NFL Play 60 Grant- Cincinnati YMCA
- $5,000
- This grant will allow the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati to provide inner-city children with bus service to Healthy Kids Day on April 23rd, 2016. This regional program, sponsored by the YMCA as part of a nationwide initiative, provides a day of kids' fitness activities and nutritious snacks.
- NFL Play 60 Grant- American Heart Association
- $15,000
- This grant will provide support for the annual Recess at the Stadium event on June 4th, 2016. Recess at the Stadium is a free annual event at Paul Brown Stadium, with the goal of educating children and families on living a healthy lifestyle, through physical activities and interactive health stations.
- NFL Play 60 Grant– Boys & Girls Clubs of Cincinnati
- $15,000
- These funds will support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati and the FITFORLIFE program. This health and wellness program is designed to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles among at-risk youth ages 5-18 by providing both fitness instruction nutrition education.
- Volunteerism Grant– Salvation Army
- $5,000
- Funding from this grant supports the Salvation Army's Annual Civic Luncheon each fall. The Annual Civic Luncheon serves a dual purpose of fundraising for the Salvation Army as well as highlighting programs and services provided to community.
- Volunteerism Grant– AFTA
- $5,000
- Funding from this grant will help support AFTA's Annual Military Bike Giveaway in June of 2016. As part of the annual event, bikes and helmets will be provided to children of active duty military members.
- Youth/High School Football Matching Grant – Madeira High School/Madeira Schools Foundation
- $20,000 (matching $20,000 provided by the Madeira Schools Foundation)
- This grant will support the renovation and purchase of new weight training and cardio equipment for the Madeira High School Fitness Center. The new fitness center will provide the students of Madeira High School with a state of the art facility more than double the size of their previous facility.
