Chicago Bears/United Way of Lake County Hometown Huddle

Players from the Chicago Bears will be coming to Lake County on Tuesday, October 18 at 1:30 p.m. to take part in fun activities in preparation for a universally-accessible playground that will benefit more than 700 Waukegan Clearview Elementary School students. This ‘Chicago Bears Fitness Zone’ will be equipped with items like swings, parallel bars and balance beams which will promote physically active play time for children.

Clearview Elementary is the largest public elementary school in Waukegan and continues to expand. Currently, there is not enough playground area for the 700+ students to utilize during three recess periods.  The school is also home to the largest number of special needs students in the district, but lacks a universally-accessible playground area to serve the entire student population. Through the 2011 Hometown Huddle, however, the Chicago Bears and United Way of Lake County will have the opportunity to impact the lives of Waukegan youth by expanding and maximizing their current playground.

The new Fitness Zone began with a $20,000 grant from NFL Charities and the Chicago Bears to United Way of Lake County.  In addition, Bears Care, the charitable beneficiary of the Chicago Bears,  provided a matching grant of $20,000 for the project.  And as word spread about the plans for the playground, more partners became interested and involved in the project, including Gurnee Community Church, Camosy Construction and Campanella & Sons by donating time, money and/or equipment toward the project.

At the Hometown Huddle kick-off on October 18th, players from the Chicago Bears will play games that promote physical activity with the elementary school students.  The Fitness Zone will be assembled in the days after the Hometown Huddle, with a Build Day on October 22nd.

The installation of the playground will take place on Saturday, October 22nd.  We are currently in need of volunteers to help with this installation.  Time slots are available from 8am to noon and noon till 4pm.  Sign up to volunteer at www.liveunitedlakecounty.org/doc2011.