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The "Spirit of Youth" award recognizes individuals and organizations whowork to keep America's runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the street. Theaward was accepted on behalf of the Cubs by Cory Provus, one of the team'sradio announcers and host of Cubs Central Pregame on WGN Radio.
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"We're recognizing the Chicago Cubs because of their ongoing support andcommitment to NRS, but also for the organizations it supports throughout theChicagoland area that help runaway and at-risk youth," said Maureen Blaha(http://www.1800runaway.org/about_nrs/maureen_bio.html), NRS executivedirector.
"We're honored to receive this award and proud to be a sponsor of theNational Runaway Switchboard," said Mike Lufrano, Cubs senior vice presidentof community affairs. "The work of NRS reaches youth in our city and aroundthe country and is so important to so many children and young adults who needa helping hand."
The Cubs community efforts include charitable donations, neighborhoodprotection activities and year-round community service involvement. Throughits Cubs Care fund, McCormick Foundation has granted more than $13 million tosupport deserving Chicago-area organizations. Grants help support non-profitorganizations which aid children with special needs, support youth sportsprograms, help victims of domestic violence, and assist social service effortsin the Lakeview community.
Chicago-based NRS has benefited from the generosity of the Cubs throughgrants and in-kind donations to support its mission of keeping America'srunaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. And since 2005, the Cubs,Cubs Care and NRS have teamed up annually to provide a Thanksgiving dinner forrunaway and homeless youth in Chicago. Each year at the event, Cubsexecutives, broadcasters and staff volunteer to prepare and serve the meal.
Tonight's event raised funds for NRS programs and services that benefitrunaway and at-risk youth and their families throughout the country. PatTomasulo, sports anchor and reporter of WGN-TV's Morning News, served asmaster of ceremonies. Sponsors included Platinum Sponsors Michele and GaryLehman, and United Airlines, and Gold Sponsors Greyhound Lines, Inc., Hugh M.Hefner Foundation, and Radio Flyer.
For more information on NRS visit http://www.1800RUNAWAY.org.
SOURCE National Runaway Switchboard
