BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES THROUGH BAY AREA NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIPS
49ers Community Relations strives to build stronger communities through partnerships with Bay Area nonprofit organizations forging the path for positive change. Through hands-on service, 49ers players, alumni, and ownership volunteer their time to support and encourage marginalized youth and families, those facing medical and mental health crises, at-risk individuals and social justice efforts.
In addition to being champions for youth, the 49ers supported real-life heroes through NFL programs including the Inspire Change social justice initiative, the Crucial Catch cancer awareness campaign presented by Dignity Health, the Salute to Service military appreciation program and My Cause My Cleats presented by Shoe Palace, which highlighted the inspiring work nonprofits are accomplishing for causes players are most passionate about. The 49ers are proud to support those dedicated to serving and unifying our Bay Area community.
2022 NUMBERS
PROGRAMS
BACK IN THE COMMUNITY
This year, the 49ers hosted over 100 community events and programs throughout the season, connecting 49ers players, personnel, and corporate partners with local community leaders.
Here are just a few of the highlights from our year.
Crucial Catch Fashion Show
Presented by Dignity Health
The 49ers hosted the fourth annual 49ers Crucial Catch Fashion Show presented by Dignity Health. The American Cancer Society and Okizu selected fifteen cancer warriors to be escorted down the runway by 49ers players, all dressed in style with apparel donated by Levi’s®. The cancer warriors, frontline heroes from Dignity Health’s oncology departments, and cancer researchers from the American Cancer Society also had the opportunity to participate in a halftime ceremony during the 49ers vs Rams Monday Night Football game.
Inspired Futures Trip to Atlanta
The 49ers and United Airlines partnered to bring 10 students from 49ers Social Justice grantee, San Jose African American Community Service Agency (AACSA), on the trip of a lifetime as the team took on the Atlanta Falcons. The students are part of the AACSA’s Leadership Academy which empowers African American youth for the journey of young African American servant leaders by connecting real-life to reality for their participants. The students enjoyed a full itinerary of activities alongside 49ers Alumnus Lee Woodall and his wife Terri, exploring historical sites and HBCU campuses enabling the students to learn more about the possibilities of attending an HBCU. From visiting Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University to touring the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and National Center for Civil & Human Rights, the trip connected these youth leaders to an inspired future.
Wisdom Wednesdays
Presented by United Airlines
For the third year, General Manager John Lynch and the Personnel Department hosted the 49ers Wisdom Wednesdays Mentorship Program presented by United Airlines in partnership with social justice grantee 100 Black Men of the Bay Area. Each mentorship session focused on a different conversation topic including financial literacy, professional etiquette, mental health best practices, and entrepreneurship mindsets.
Social Justice Grant Recipients
The 49ers announced seven Social Justice grant recipients as part of continuing the team’s 10-year, $5M investment in Bay Area social justice work producing tangible results. The team welcomed two new nonprofits, RYSE, Inc. and Urban Ed Academy, to its existing cohort of organizations receiving social justice grants: Californians for Safety and Justice, Dream.Org, Operation HOPE, San Jose African American Community Service Agency, and Student Program for Academic & Athletic Transitioning (SPAAT).
Photo from UrbanEdAcademy.org
Find Your Anchor Resource Box Build
The 49ers partnered with Find Your Anchor for a Suicide Prevention resource box building event. After participating in a box build in 2021, 49ers players requested that the event be brought back in 2022. Nineteen players joined Jenna York and Mara York to assemble over 500 boxes filled with suicide prevention and mental health resources, including hand-written notes of encouragement.
Read for Justice
Presented by Newfront
For the third annual 49ers Read for Justice presented by Newfront, 4,750 elementary students in Santa Clara Unified School District received a copy of the book The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi which demonstrates the importance of diversity and inclusion. Arik Armstead joined students at Scott Lane Elementary School for a reading and discussion of the book. The books were purchased from black-owned bookstore, Marcus Books, in Oakland, CA. The 49ers hope is that by providing a book to these students and sharing this reading, we can instill an early love for education and open the dialogue for important lessons around diversity, inclusion and equity.
Feast with the Niners
Presented by U.S. Bank
The 49ers and U.S. Bank held the annual Feast with the Niners in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley Alviso Clubhouse. Nine 49ers players participated in Thanksgiving-themed activities and football drills with nearly 100 youth while 49ers Family members and Jenna York and Mara York packaged hundreds of warm meals and desserts for over 300 Boys & Girls Club families, staff, and volunteers.
Hope for the Holidays
The 49ers hosted the annual Hope for the Holidays event to support underserved families through the holiday season. The team invited 175 families in partnership with seven Bay Area nonprofits. Each family received numerous resources hand delivered by 49ers players and their families, employees, Jenna York and Mara York, and GM John Lynch at the drive-thru distribution. Items included groceries from Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley, products from PepsiCo, Clover Sonoma, and Peet’s Coffee, charcoal from Kingsford, glasses from Zenni Optical, shoes from Shoe Palace and toys provided by Toys for Tots.
Salute to Service
The 49ers and U.S. Bank welcomed military veterans, service dogs, and their families from the nonprofit Operation Freedom Paws for a breakfast and practice visit at the SAP Performance Facility. The same group was treated to a private viewing experience of the Week 10 Salute to Service game and received a surprise visit from the Kittle Family. During the game, U.S. Bank announced a $20,000 donation to Operation Freedom Paws to provide the funds necessary to train a shelter dog and match them with a veteran on Operation Freedom Paws’ waitlist.
MLK Day of Service
Presented by Bridgestone
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., 49ers players joined volunteers from African American Community Service Agency (AACSA) and Urban Ed Academy for MLK Day of Service presented by Bridgestone. Players and volunteers toured the 49ers Museum presented by Foxconn Industrial Internet’s newest exhibit, The Long Game, which examines Bay Area sports icons who have elevated social justice into mainstream conversation. The group assembled 400 kits with school supplies that will be delivered to students across the Bay Area. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Participating players included Nick Bosa, Oren Burks, George Kittle, Trey Lance, Jordan Mason, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, T.Y. McGill, and Jason Poe.
My Cause My Cleats
Presented by Shoe Palace
During Week 12, nearly 30 players and nine coaches/staff took to the field in custom cleats and shoes that amplified over 30 causes and nonprofits close to their hearts for My Cause My Cleats presented by Shoe Palace.
49ers Wish
In partnership with organizations such as Make-A-Wish and Okizu, the 49ers welcomed back 49ers Wish for the first time since the pandemic, hosting nine families throughout the season. Through this program, 49ers players, coaches, and personnel enrich the lives of individuals with life-threatening medical conditions. Participants received a tour of the facility, met their favorite players, broke down the huddle at the end of a private practice visit, and enjoyed a VIP gameday experience.
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