Chicago Bears Center Roberto Garza Teams Up with United Way to Draft Volunteers to Help Kids Graduate

Across the country, National Football League players are teaming up with United Way in an effort to recruit NFL fans as volunteer readers, tutors and mentors.  This week, ROBERTO GARZA, #63 Center/Guard for the Chicago Bears, officially joined United Way TEAM NFL – a core group of college-educated, civic-minded NFL players committed to helping United Way recruit one million volunteers to help kids stay on track and graduate high school on time.

 “Education is the driving force to doing something with your life and for me it was football…but whatever you choose, you can accomplish it though education.   Education is the way to achieve your goals,” says Garza.  “When I got the opportunity to play for the Chicago Bears [and be part of Team NFL], I knew I had to spread my message to tell kids to stay in school, to believe in themselves, and to always take the right steps in achieving their goals and dreams.”

Every year, more than 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States.   One thousand of those are from Lake County, IL alone.  “I am very impressed with United Way of Lake County’s focus on education programs to help kids get ready for kindergarten, read at grade level and graduate high school on time.  I’ve seen their results and know these programs work, but we need to reach more kids,” Garza stated.

Research proves that caring adults working with kids of all ages have the power to help kids learn and reach their potential.  That’s why players like Garza are reaching out to fans to get involved.  Each player has a goal to recruit 3,000 volunteer pledges as part of the game plan to cut the high school dropout rate in half by 2018.

“Any one of us could be the difference between a kid graduating or not, said Garza.  “I want to be part of helping kids reach their potential so I’ll be asking Chicago Bears fans to join my team.”  Garza is kicking off the effort with fans on Friday, June 21st at Six Flags Great America from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Fans who join TEAM GARZA that day will win a chance to ride one of Six Flags’ roller coasters with Garza.

To learn more about TEAM GARZA and to take the pledge to volunteer, visit www.pageitforward.org.