Chicago Parks Receive $50,000 for Improvements at 14 Junior Bear Sites Following an On-line Contest
Staples & Chicago Bears Presented Check to Winning Park Jan. 28
Release Date: 01/29/08
Staples, Inc., the world’s largest office products company, and Chicago Bears player Charles “Peanut” Tillman announced LaFollette Park, 1333 N. Laramie Ave., as the winner of the Staples Dream Park Challenge. Tillman, Chicago Bears Chairman of the Board Michael McCaskey, and Staples presented a check for $25,000 Jan. 28 to Chicago Park District officials and community members from LaFollette Park in a ceremony at Soldier Field’s Cadillac Club.
“We are grateful for the support from our corporate partners,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Tim Mitchell. “These partnerships are crucial to the programs that we offer for hundreds of Chicago youth.”
The Staples Dream Park Challenge is a park improvement initiative involving 14 Junior Bears parks in Chicago. During the Oct. 23 – Dec. 31, 2007 challenge, Staples invited residents to vote on-line for their local park. Second place Dunham Park, 4638 N. Melvina Ave., will receive $10,000 and third-place Ada Park, 11250 S. Ada St., will get $5,000 for park improvements. The remaining 11 parks that participated in the program will each receive $1,000.
LaFollette Park officials plan to use the $25,000 to enhance the playing field with a new scoreboard and bleachers, and will also be polling the surrounding community members on enhancements they would like to see made at the park.
"Staples is committed to providing resources to those who need it most," said Bob Wolfe, regional vice president of Staples. "From educating children to supporting local parks, we are proud to make this donation and look forward to continuing to make a difference in Chicagoland."
The Chicago Park District’s intramural Junior Bear program gives 750 Chicago-area children ages 7-13 the opportunity to play at 14 Park District sites. The Junior Bear program has cultivated professional players such as Garrett Wolfe of the Chicago Bears, who grew up playing football at LaFollette Park. Wolfe was also present at the award ceremony.
The Chicago Park District’s Junior Bear, Inner City Flag Football and Nerf Football programs have received long-standing support from Bears Care, the charitable beneficiary of the Chicago Bears.
Staples continues to demonstrate its commitment to Chicago by investing in grassroots local community organizations. Since it first opened its doors in Chicagoland in 2004, Staples has donated nearly $550,000 to educational non-profit organizations in the area. Each Chicagoland store location has adopted a local non-profit partner by contributing funds or providing much-needed support, such as office product donations.
For more information about the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529