The Chicago Charity Challenge announced on Thursday that the Chicago Fire and the Chicago Fire Foundation had received the organization's highest honor - the 2016 Grand Prize Award.
For the club's collective community efforts in 2016, it was awarded $10,000 sponsored by the Employees of Call One. The Chicago Fire Foundation were recognized for another year of club athletes, coaches, and office staff devoting their personal time to fundraise and run community-based programs teaching social, emotional and academic skills through soccer.
“With nearly 100% employee participation, $230,000 in partner donations, and a quantifiable impact on hundreds of children on Chicago’s south and west sides, the contributions of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club were truly outstanding," Jessica Yavitz, Vice President of Community Relations and Executive Director of the Chicago Fire Foundation, said. "Fire employees share not only skills, events, and almost 10,000 free game tickets with youth groups, but also serve as role models and bring a sense of hope and joy to young people in Chicago’s most challenged communities.”
The Foundation's largest initiative, the PLAYS after-school program, gives over 300 students each year a safe haven where they learn teamwork, self-discipline, confidence, and the value of physical fitness and hard work through soccer. The team also runs an annual Practice in the Community event in Little Village that brings people together for a positive experience in a tough neighborhood.
This marks the third consecutive year the Chicago Fire Foundation has been recognized by the Chicago Charity Challenge, having previously received their Helping Hand Award and their Philanthropy Award.
About Chicago Charity Challenge
The Chicago Charity Challenge (chicagochacha.org) is a nonprofit volunteer and fundraising competition that teams businesses with charities to motivate, support, and reward employee giving. Employees work together through the year to support causes and win monetary awards for their charity partner. You can follow Chicago Charity Challenge @ChicagoChaCha and www.facebook.com/ChicagoChaCha
