USA FOOTBALL AWARDS $54,000 EQUIPMENT GRANT TO WILDFIRE-IMPACTED PARADISE (CALIF.) JUNIOR FOOTBALL
INDIANAPOLIS – USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, has awarded a $54,000 relief grant to Paradise (Calif.) Junior Football, which has been affected by deadly wildfires ignited earlier this month.
The youth football program will receive USA Football grant funding to replace equipment damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. In partnership with the NFL Foundation, USA Football annually provides equipment donations to youth and high school football programs based on merit and need.
USA Football CEO SCOTT HALLENBECK will award the grant to Paradise Junior Football representatives at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., during the fourth quarter of the Pac-12 Football Championship Game on Friday, Nov. 30. The game features Pac-12 divisional champions Utah and Washington, telecast nationally by FOX at 8 p.m. EST.
Sports – particularly football – inspire community, teamwork and support,” Hallenbeck said. “Paradise Junior Football now has an extraordinary need and we are more than compelled to help its young players and families through this grant.”
“The Pac-12 stands shoulder-to-shoulder with USA Football in supporting all those across California whose lives have been turned upside down or adversely affected by this month’s wildfires,” said Pac-12 Commissioner LARRY SCOTT. “USA Football is a trusted partner and shares our overarching vision of lifting communities through the power of sport.”
“Youth football is the heart of a small town like Paradise,” said Butte County (Calif.) Schools Superintendent Tim Taylor. “The Junior Paradise Bobcats lost most of every piece of equipment in the Camp Fire. USA Football’s generous donation took the breath away of Coach Shannon Magpusao and his Junior Bobcat community. ‘Butte Schools Strong’ is our motto and USA Football gave us a boost of strength to get our kids back on the field.”
USA Football grants are funded by the NFL Foundation, the league’s nonprofit organization representing its 32 clubs. Its mission is to support the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football and the communities which support the game. Equipment awarded through USA Football grants is fulfilled by Riddell, the official protective equipment partner of USA Football.
About USA Football: USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs to advance and grow the sport. As the sport’s national governing body, member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and organizer of the U.S. National Team for international competition, USA Football partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players.