The gift continues the Spanos’ family commitment to the San Diego community. A commitment recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ San Diego Chapter in July which named the San Diego Chargers the Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation for its upcoming National Philanthropy Day. For the eleventh year in a row, this contribution through the team’s Chargers Champions program ranks as the largest privately-funded education gift in San Diego County. Chargers Champions makes a strong commitment to improving physical fitness in San Diego County schools by providing grants for new facilities and equipment.

“Schools throughout California need our support,” Spanos said. “The main goal of our program is to provide students with the necessary means to living a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness.”

Since the program’s inception in 2000, the Spanos family has donated more than $4 million to San Diego’s schools and students through Chargers Champions.

“There is absolutely no way in the world any of these schools would have seen a fraction of this kind of money for fitness projects in the current budget climate,” said Jim Esterbooks from the County of Education Office. “We are incredibly lucky to have a community partner like the Chargers.”

The educational grants ranged in amounts from a $55,000 grant to Escondido High School to a $14,000 grant given to Alcott Elementary School.

Nine San Diego-area schools received grants to improve physical fitness, athletic or nutrition programs on school campuses.

$55,000….Escondido High School, Escondido: Weight room equipment
$30,000….Carlton Oaks Elementary, Santee: Outdoor fitness structure
$30,000….Highlands Elementary, Spring Valley: Outdoor fitness structure
$29,000….Lindberg-Schweitzer, San Diego: Sixteen spinners
$28,000….Howard Pence, South Bay: Flooring/installation for new fitness structure
$21,000….San Pasqual Academy, North San Diego County: Athletic equipment
$20,000….Hoover High School, San Diego: Fitness equipment
$20,000….Julian Middle School, Julian: Climbing wall
$14,000….Alcott Elementary, San Diego: Fitness activity room

This year’s Chargers Champions’ recipients will be honored on the field during the Chargers-Raiders game on Sunday, December 5, at Qualcomm Stadium.

Funds allocated to Chargers Champions are administered through the Chargers Community Foundation, the San Diego Chargers’ charitable foundation. The Foundation was established in 1995 by Dean and Alex Spanos to “help” San Diego build on its strengths by supporting individuals, activities and organizations that work to make the city a better place to live.

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