Cougars Foundation Donates $542,000 Locally, Announces Charitable Partners for 2016
The Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. raised more than $542,000 for local charities last year and has set its community outreach partnerships for 2016.
The Cougars Foundation this week presented its first Annual Report to the Community detailing the charitable outreach completed in 2015. The report lists the extensive accomplishments of the foundation and the many notable programs coordinated by the Cougars each season.
The Rush Copley 50/50 Raffle and the Acres Group Pitch-In for Charity are two in-game programs from which a portion of proceeds benefit specific charities selected by the Kane County Cougars Foundation each season.
In 2015, these two programs generated over $28,000 to support local causes such as Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment Centers, Project Backpack (Elgin Community College Foundation), DuPage Pads, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Family Shelter Services and the Rush-Copley Foundation.
Ozzie’s Home Run and Walk 5K generated funds for the Ozzie’s Scholars program, which awarded $3,000 in scholarships to local students as well as to the Waubonsee Community College Foundation. The Cougars’ Legacy Brick program shares proceeds with the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Kane County Cougars Foundation was happy to present the Wounded Warrior Project with $4,410 in 2015.
Each year the Cougars’ reading program encourages over 140,000 local area students to meet reading goals by incentivizing them with game tickets, food vouchers and a take-home prize (a drawstring bag in 2015). In-kind donations for Ozzie’s Reading Club totaled $448,247.29 last year.
Through a variety of military organizations including the Illinois National Guard, Operation Support our Troops, Rolling Thunder, and Veteran Tickets Foundation, the Kane County Cougars Foundation gave in-kind donations for Military Recognition totaling $14,553 in 2015.
Through various other in-kind donations, community appearances, high school seminars, clinics and events, the Kane County Cougars Foundation added to the overwhelming donation total supporting organizations in Kane County and the surrounding area. The Cougars hope to continue this outreach and remain active in giving back to its supporters and community members.
“We look forward to generating funds supporting our local charitable partners again this season,” said General Manager, Curtis Haug. “As an organization, we feel it’s incredibly important to give back to the community that we call home.”
“The Cougars organization is proud to share this information with our local community,” said Cougars owner, Dr. Bob Froehlich. “We look forward to continuing efforts to improve our community and support the initiatives of our charitable partners.”
For more information on the Kane County Cougars, fans are encouraged to visit kccougars.com and follow the Cougars on social media. The 2016 season kicks off on Thursday, April 7 for a 6:30 p.m. start against Clinton.
Cougars Announce Community Outreach Partnerships for the 2016 Season
The Kane County Cougars have announced a community outreach partnership for the 2016 season in which four organizations will receive a portion of the in-game 50/50 raffle proceeds through Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc., the Cougars’ charitable arm. Those four organizations are Public Action to Deliver Shelter — Hesed House Aurora (April/May), West Suburban Community Pantry (June), People’s Resource Center — DuPage County (July) and Anderson Animal Shelter (August/September).
Also, through their partnership with Acres Group, the Cougars have announced that the YWCA Victim Support Services of Naperville will be the recipient of the charitable proceeds from this season’s “Pitch-In For Charity” promotion in which fans, following select games, purchase and throw numbered tennis balls onto a target in order to win a prize.
Public Action to Deliver Shelter — Hesed House Aurora (hesedhouse.org) is a national model for ending homelessness – one person, one family at a time. The Aurora location is a Comprehensive Homeless Resource Center with highly skilled professionals collaborating to provide the tools necessary to help individuals and families.
West Suburban Community Pantry (wcpinc.org) offers food for the hungry and resources to empower persons to improve their quality of life. Their vision is a community without hunger.
People’s Resource Center — DuPage County (peoplesrc.org) provides food, clothing, job skills programs, and much more to help neighbors in need in DuPage County.
Anderson Animal Shelter (andersonanimalshelter.org) is committed to an adoption guarantee for all healthy and treatable animals in their care. They work to improve the lives or pets and people through service, education, and advocacy.
YWCA Victim Support Services (ywcachicago.org) provide assistance to victims of assault, educate about the effects of violence in our community, and promote general health and wellness through their victim support services.
“Since the franchise’s inaugural season in 1991 and continuing through our upcoming 26th season, the Cougars’ organization has strived to be the best possible neighbor by giving back to the community in many ways,” said Cougars Vice President/General Manager Curtis Haug.
“Through these types of initiatives, fans can see our deep commitment toward helping others in need, particularly in our local community,” said Cougars owner Dr. Bob Froehlich.
Added Cougars owner Cheryl Froehlich: “We are reminded more than ever that the Cougars organization is aware of how much support has been shown to us over the years and how critically important it is to give back.”
For more information on the Kane County Cougars and the organization’s upcoming 26th season, which begins on April 7, fans can visit kccougars.com. Fans are also encouraged to follow the Cougars on social media for updates and the most current promotions.
SOURCE: Kane County Cougars news releases
