Chargers Champions grants go to four San Diego Unified schools

Clairemont High, Muir K-12, Wangenheim Middle and Nye Elementary schools have received grants from the Chargers Champions School Grant Program.

Chargers Champions makes a strong commitment to San Diego County schools by providing grants for much-needed physical fitness, nutrition and athletic programs. Selected high schools are eligible to receive grants of up to $75,000; middle schools up to $40,000; and elementary schools up to $30,000.

“Schools throughout California need our support,” Chargers President Dean Spanos said. “The main goal of our program is to provide students in San Diego with the necessary means to living a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness.”

Clairemont High School received $75,000 for a new weight room and sand volleyball court. John Muir K-12 School received $45,000 for fencing equipment and an archery center. Wangenheim Middle School was granted $40,000 for an indoor fitness center. Nye Elementary School received $30,000 for its Peaceful Playground Program.

"We have great schools and hardworking administrators that look for every opportunity to improve academics, facilities and activities for students," said Bruce Ward, San Diego Unified's Director of Athletics.

Chargers Champions consistently provides more support for schools than any other private company in the county. In 13 years, 95 schools have received funding for projects ranging from outdoor fitness trails, weight rooms, running tracks or fitness equipment.

Funds allocated to Chargers Champions are administered through the Chargers Community Foundation, the San Diego Chargers’ charitable foundation. The Foundation was established in 1995 by Dean and Alex Spanos to “help” San Diego build on its strengths by supporting individuals, activities and organizations that work to make the city a better place to live.

Over the years, many schools have received grants through the Chargers Champions program. In 2012, Mission Bay High, and Ross Elementary received grants.

For more information, see the Chargers Champions website.

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Chargers donate equipment to Scripps Ranch High School

Source: San Diego Chargers
 
The San Diego Chargers have a rich history of giving back to the city of San Diego.
They continued that June 26, donating approximately 35 shoulder pads and other used equipment to Scripps Ranch High School.

“This is amazing because a lot of the kids that we have at our school are in need of items,” said Joe Meyer, head football coach and athletic director for Scripps Ranch. “It’s good for us to be able to hand out this equipment to them and let them know that they are wanted and welcome anytime. If they have any issues there are people who will take care of them like the Chargers. Having these shoulder pads are appreciated by the Chargers and (Equipment Manager) Bob (Wick). We really don’t get a huge budget to work with. A lot of our money is fundraised. So for them to donate this equipment is very much appreciated.”

Meyer picked up multiple boxes filled to the brim from the Chargers equipment room, and they will be put to immediate use for the 2013 season.

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Out with the old, in with the new; Chargers donate equipment to schools

With a new strength and conditioning staff comes a new philosophy.

And with a new philosophy comes new equipment.

That’s why on multiple moving trucks and personnel were on hand recently to remove the old equipment to make room for the brand new ones the Chargers are bringing in.

“Every time you have a change, you kind of have a shift philosophically in what you want to do,” said new Strength and Conditioning Coach Kent Johnston. “A lot of the new things and equipment that we want to get in are because of what we want to accomplish. It’s because of what we believe in doing as a staff to train guys and prep them to first of all avoid injury , that’s the primary task, and second of all to improve their performance on the field.”

So what will the Chargers do with the old equipment that is still in good condition?

The team is donating the free weights and workout machines to the San Diego Unified School District. On hand to oversee the removal of the equipment and transportation to the schools, which include Hoover High, Crawford High School and Scripps Ranch High School, was Bruce Ward, Director of Physical Fitness and Athletics for the District.

“I got a call from the Chargers and they said they had some weight equipment and asked if we would be interested,” he said. “Of course we were. So I came and looked at it and they told us what they had and here we are now.”

Ward has dealt with numerous professional teams over his tenure, but he says the philanthropic nature of the Bolts blows the other teams out of the water.

“I’ve been in three states and fortunate to work with a number of organizations, and people don’t realize the Chargers are more giving than any pro team that I’ve ever seen in any of the states I’ve been in,” he said. “They are all about the students and their achievement not only physically but academically too.”
Johnston, who is just a month into his tenure as the Chargers new strength and conditioning coach, is also impressed by the generosity of the Chargers in deciding to donate this equipment.

“I think it says a lot about the organization,” he said. “It shows how it is a community oriented organization and how they are looking out to better the schools, the kids and the community here in San Diego.”

Courtesy chargers.com

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Mission Bay athletes get new weight room

STUDENT VOICES: $75,000 from a San Diego Chargers foundation grant will go toward facility. Read story from Mission Bay High School Beachcomber»

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Edison Elementary Gets Bikes from Bikes for Kids and San Diego Chargers

IN THE NEWS: The annual Bikes for Kids program, spearheaded by local philanthropist Bill Pollakov, was met by members of the San Diego Chargers at Edison Elementary School where they gave away bicycles to a very excited student body. Watch video.

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