FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   February 9, 2005

Contact: BRIAN McCARTHY, NFL, 808-292-8194

NFL PROVIDES $100,000 IN PRO BOWL GRANTS

TO HAWAIIAN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

10^th Year of Grants Totals $1 Million

The NFL’s All-Star Game at Aloha Stadium takes place one day a year, but the Pro Bowl’s legacy to the state of Hawaii continues to grow year-round.  Nearly 25 Hawaii non-profit organizations will receive a combined $100,000 as part of the NFL Charities Pro Bowl Grant Program, the NFL announced today.

NFL Charities has provided grants the past 10 years to Hawaii-based groups totaling $1 million.  The organizations undergo a rigorous application process and must be focused on youth programming, education, and physical fitness.

“I want to commend the National Football League for its kokua,” said Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. “I know from my previous experience working directly with the NFL that league officials have a steadfast willingness to help worthwhile groups in our community.”

“We are pleased to provide local organizations with much-needed funds that will benefit numerous people throughout the state,” said Beth Colleton, the NFL’s director of community affairs.  “The Pro Bowl is much more than a game and our commitment is a reflection of supporting those in the community who have supported us throughout the years.”

A total of 23 organizations will receive cash awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support programs which improve life for Island residents in need and better local neighborhoods throughout the Hawaiian Islands. 

(See below for list of grant recipients)

NFL Charities, created in 1973, is a non-profit organization created by the National Football League which enables its clubs and players to collectively make grants to charitable and worthwhile causes on the national level. Since its inception, NFL Charities has made more than $70 million in grant commitments to more than 300 different organizations.

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2005 PRO BOWL GRANT RECIPIENTS

$10,000

YWCA of Oahu (Honolulu)

$8,000

Special Olympics Hawaii (Honolulu)

$7,500

Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island (Hilo)

$7,000

Good Beginnings Alliance (Honolulu)

$6,500

Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America/Learning for Life (Honolulu); Patch (Honolulu)

$6,000

Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (Honolulu); Child and Family Services (Honolulu); Children’s Justice Center of Kauai (Lihue); Waikiki Health Center (Honolulu); Positive Coaching Alliance of Hawaii (Honolulu); Kalihi-Palama Health Center (Honolulu)

$5,500

Make-A-Wish Hawaii (Honolulu)

$4,000

Christmas Wish Program Inc. (Kea’au)

$1,000

Armed Services YMCA (Honolulu); Boys & Girls Club of Maui; Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Honolulu; Our Family Fitness Center (Hau’ula); Friends of the Missing Childs Center of Hawaii (Honolulu); Hospice Hawaii (Honolulu); Hawaii Food Bank (Honolulu); Hugs (Honolulu); Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands (Honolulu)

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