Chargers provide largest privately-funded education gift for 9th year

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

San Diego Chargers President Dean Spanos carried on the team’s tradition of leadership and philanthropy as he announced the 16 deserving students and nine schools to receive more than $400,000 in scholarships, grants and computers.

This contribution to the Chargers Champions “Class of 2008” ranks as the largest privately-funded education gift in San Diego County for the ninth year in a row.  

Chargers Champions makes a strong commitment to improving physical fitness in San Diego County schools by providing grants for new facilities and equipment. The program also honors students for their outstanding leadership, service and commitment to their schools and communities.

“Our family has believed in the power of education for as long as I can remember,” Spanos said.  “These are our future leaders and our schools are responsible for building these leaders. Some of these students may not have had the opportunity to go on to higher education. This is just one small way that we can make a very real difference in our future.”

Since the program’s inception in 2000, the Spanos family has donated more than $3.5 million to San Diego’s schools and students through Chargers Champions.

The educational grants ranged in amounts from the $75,000 donation Kearny High School received for a new weight room to the $5,000 given to Lakeside Farms Elementary for core strength equipment.

“Deep budget cuts are happening in schools all over the state,” Spanos said.  “We hope these grants will assist our schools in ensuring that students have access to the kind of physical fitness programs necessary to instill the importance of healthy lifestyles.”

Nine San Diego-area schools received grants to improve physical fitness, athletic or nutrition programs on school campuses.

• $75,000  Kearny High School, San Diego: Weight room
•  $55,000 Calvin Christian High School, Escondido: Football equipment
•  $40,000 Castle Park Middle School, Chula Vista: Outdoor circuit course
•  $30,000 El Camino High School, Oceanside: Patch course and weight room
•  $28,000 Hilltop Drive Elementary School, Chula Vista: Outdoor fitness center
•  $27,000 Cubberly Elementary School, San Diego: Basketball courts
•  $21,000 Greg Rogers Elementary School, Chula Vista: Track for disabled students
•  $18,000 Washington Elementary School, San Diego: General equipment for P.E.
•  $5,000 Lakeside Farms Elementary, Lakeside: Core strength equipment

 
The Chargers Champions “Class of 2008” was selected by the Chargers Champions Leadership Team, which is comprised of key business, community and educational leaders in San Diego County.

The Chargers Champions Leadership Team

• Doris Alvarez, Retired Principal
• Reuben Barrales, SD Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. David Chao, Oasis Sports Medical Group
• Marilyn Creson Brown, Silberrad Inc.
• Jim Esterbrooks, County Office Education
• Dr. Terry Grier, SD Unified School District
• Chuck Lemoine, Sr., Wells Fargo Bank
• John Shacklett, San Diego High School Sports Association
• A.G. Spanos, San Diego Chargers
• John Spanos, San Diego Chargers
• Susie Spanos, San Diego Chargers
• Ed Trimble, KFMB Stations
• Bruce Ward, San Diego City Schools
• Dr. Randolph Ward, San Diego County Schools
• Ed Wallace, Sony USA Foundation
• Bob Watkins, R.J. Watkins & Co.

“It’s a joy to be apart of this tradition and proudly partner with the Chargers to support our kids,” said Wells Fargo Senior Vice President Chuck Lemoine.  “We’re honored to have our hand in such a special program that benefits so many young people.”

Sixteen local students were awarded college scholarships of $7,000 each and presented with a Sony laptop computer. The scholarships are awarded to high school juniors who attend San Diego County schools and have shown strong leadership and community involvement. 

The Chargers Champions “Class of 2008”:

• Amanda Ashwill, Santana High School
• Elizabeth Branco, Ramona High School
• Alice Cash, Canyon Crest Academy
• Adelaide Dyer, El Capitan High School
• JoLynn Earl, San Pasqual High School
• Antonio Figueroa, Herbert Hoover High School
• Taylor Hye, West Hills High School
• Lucas Lancaster, St. Augustine High School
• Jennifer MacCongahy, Ramona High School
• Mary Naoom, El Cajon Valley High School
• Harmony Palmer, El Camino High School
• Archana Ramesh, Mt. Carmel High School
• Celena Robinson, Palomar High School
• Yura Salter, High Tech High International
• Daley Vertiz, Bonita Vista High School
• Jade Wagner, Hilltop High School

“Our young people are our future,” Spanos said.  “Any time that we have the opportunity to help them succeed, our entire community benefits from it. Our desire is to see minds, bodies and futures benefit from the Chargers Champions program.”

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.