CHICAGO CUBS TO BE AWARDED 2008 SPIRIT OF YOUTH AWARD
CHICAGO (February 28, 2008) – Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs are being honored with the 2008 “Spirit of Youth” award from the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) for its work and dedication in helping America’s youth. The announcement was made Wednesday evening at NRS’ Spirit of Youth Launch Party in Chicago.
Since 1991, the Cubs support of Cubs Care has resulted in grants of more than $12 million to Chicago non-profit organizations. Cubs Care is a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. Grants help support non-profit organizations which aid children with special needs, provide youth sports programs, assist victims of domestic violence and serve the Lakeview community.
NRS, headquartered at 3080 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago, has benefited from the generosity of the Cubs and Cubs Care through grants and in-kind donations to support its mission to keep America’s runaway 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 for runaway and homeless youth in Chicago. Each year at the event, Cubs executives, broadcasters and staff volunteer to prepare and serve the meal.
“We’re recognizing the Chicago Cubs and Cubs Care because of their ongoing support and commitment to NRS, but also for the organizations it supports throughout the Chicagoland area that help runaway and at-risk youth,” said Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director.
The Chicago Cubs will be presented with the Spirit of Youth award on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, in Chicago.
The National Runaway Switchboard, established in 1971, serves as the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. Recognized as the oldest hotline of its kind in the world, NRS, with the support of more than 150 volunteers, handles an average of 100,000 calls annually – more than 3 million calls since the organization’s inception. NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Over 10,000 youth have been reunited with their families through the NRS Home Free program done in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc. The NRS crisis hotline is 1-800-RUNAWAY. For more information, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org.
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