The Chicago Fire Foundation officially received the inaugural Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Sports Award on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the RWJF headquarters in Princeton, N.J. The Foundation was one of three recipients initially announced on Aug. 25, along with the Tony Hawk Foundation and Doc Wayne Youth Services.
The three recipients were presented with the award for their "innovative and collaborative approaches to making communities healthier places to live." Founded in 1998, the Foundation became the first nonprofit established by a Major League Soccer club. Those involved have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in the Chicago area by developing programs that reach out to the community.
The Foundation has donated more than $1.7 million in grants and contributions to date. In 2015, the Foundation announced that its P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth Soccer) Program would expand from eight to 12 schools in Chicago, serving nearly 400 boys and girls grade three through five. Executive Director Jessica Yavitz was on hand to speak about the efforts of the Foundation.
Yavitz was presented with the award by RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey. The Foundation also received $5,000 to go toward future initiatives.
