Pro Bowl Generates $210,000 in Charitable Contributions

Long after the game has concluded, Hawaiian youths will continue to reap the benefit of the NFL’s 1999 Pro Bowl.

The all-star game this past February raised more than $215,000 for Hawaii-based non-profit organizations, the NFL announced today. Included in this sum is the presentation of $100,000 in NFL Charities awards to 10 charitable organizations as part of the NFL Pro Bowl Grant Program.

"This effort extended by NFL Charities in conjunction with the Hawaii Pro Bowl Host Committee typifies the NFL’s desire to give back to the communities that support our game," said NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE.

The NFL Pro Bowl Grant Program, with the assistance of the Hawaii Pro Bowl Host Committee, makes funds available to Hawaii non-profit agencies which address education and physical fitness. The 1999 recipient agencies are:

Aloha United Way

Boys & Girls Club of Honolulu

Child & Family Service

Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center for Oahu, Inc.

Hawaii High School Athletic Association

Hawaii State Library Foundation

Hawaii Recreation Parks Association – Kauai

Leeward YMCA

Oahu Pop Warner Football

Special Olympics Hawaii

In addition to NFL Charities grants, the Pro Bowl generated additional dollars throughout the week leading up to the game on February 7.

The Pro Bowl Charities Golf Classic hosted by Lighthouse Holdings raised more than $40,000 for both the Hawaii Alliance for Arts Education and Parents and Children Together.

The NFL Charities/Children’s Miracle Network Golf Challenge generated a $50,000 contribution to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, while Special Olympics received $20,000 through a charity auction sponsored by the Pro Bowl Host Committee and NFL Charities.

"The impact of the NFL and the Pro Bowl on the Hawaiian Islands continues to be felt in many ways," said MUFI HANNEMANN, chairman of the Host Committee. "Not only did the game generate revenue in the range of $100 million and showcase Hawaii to millions of television viewers, but the NFL is reciprocating our aloha by supporting many deserving organizations throughout the state.

"The NFL’s support comes at a particularly critical time as these groups struggle to raise funds and serve the community. We are grateful to the NFL and look forward to its continued generosity in the years to come."

Created in 1973, NFL Charities is a non-profit organization formed by the member clubs of the National Football League to enable teams to collectively make grants to charitable and worthwhile causes on the national level.

Since its inception, NFL Charities has made more than $35 million in grant commitments to more than 250 organizations. NFL Charities grants primarily focus on sports-related organizations, with a particular emphasis on football, in the categories of medical research of player health and safety, physical fitness and education.