Christmas came early for nearly 500 people on Tuesday, December 11 when the Chicago Bears, Bears Care and United Airlines hosted the annual "Making Holiday Wishes Come True" party in the United Club at Soldier
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| Bears fullback Evan Rodriguez. |
Field. The 2012 Bears Rookie Class, including Joe Anderson, James Brown, Derek Dennis, Isaiah Frey, Brandon Hardin, Alshon Jeffrey, Dale Moss, Evan Rodriguez, and Aston Whiteside, along with Staley Da Bear and many Bears executives and staff members, volunteered at the party and helped brighten the spirits of deserving children and families from the Chicago area.
Guests took part in a wide variety of activities, including bingo, musical chairs, "Pilot Says," a football toss, cookie decorating and crafts. Kids could have their picture taken with Santa, pick out new books from Mrs. Claus's Book Shop, try on a full Bears uniform at the "Be a Bear" station, and have their faces painted. The players took turns leading groups of guests in fitness activities with the HOPSports equipment, and spent a lot of time visiting and taking pictures with all of the families in attendance.
For the fifth consecutive year, Bears staff, coaches and players, along with United Airlines employees, had the opportunity to "adopt" a child or family and grant their holiday wishes by purchasing items on their wish lists. The non-profit organizations that benefitted from this initiative in 2012 included DCFS, Facing Forward to End Homelessness, Illinois Action for Children, James Jordan Foundation, Mercy Housing, New Moms, Inc., Teen Living Programs, Primo Center and WINGS.
The Chicago Bears extend special thanks to SMG, Sportservice, Blondie's Cookies, and HOPSports for their generous support of this holiday party.
