COMM. RELATIONS ADMINISTRATION COACHES STAFF PLAYERS DRAFT PICKS 2009 REVIEW RECORDS & RESULTS. Community Relations HISTORY ATLANTAFALCONS.

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1 3 Community Relations

2 2010 ATLANTA FALCONS // IN THE COMMUNITY BEYOND FOOTBALL: ATLANTA FALCONS IN THE COMMUNITY The Atlanta Falcons create a winning team off the field by building a strong bond in the community. Each year the club typically logs more service hours and makes more community appearances than most other NFL teams. Through the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation, the team contributes more than $1 million to promote fitness and fight youth obesity in Georgia. Players, coaches, cheerleaders, associates and the Atlanta Falcons Women s Association all contribute to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. HOMETOWN HUDDLE 2009 ATLANTA FALCONS CHEERLEADERS ATLANTA FALCONS YOUTH FOUNDATION Established in 1985, the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation (AFYF) serves as the philanthropic arm of the Atlanta Falcons. Since Arthur Blank acquired the club in 2002, AFYF has grown to be the largest owner-funded foundation in the National Football 4 League, providing more than $16 million in grants to non-profit organizations across Georgia. AFYF is taking the issue of childhood obesity head on by investing in non-profit organizations statewide that are moving school-age kids to spend

3 and First Tee of East Lake, to create opportunities for more young people to experience youth development through golf. AFYF investments also brought the Cal Ripken Sr., Foundation into Atlanta, where it is partnering with the After- School AllStars and the Metro Atlanta YMCA to engage young people in physical activity and wellness programming. Also in 2009, AFYF partnered with Kids & Pros to bring a week-long football camp to kids living in downtown Atlanta. Run by former Falcons players and other former pros, the camp teaches character and development through sports. more time every day in organized physical activity. Its signature program, Falcons Fitness Zones, works in partnership with the Metro Atlanta YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County and other select organizations to expand existing physical fitness programs for youth and to create new opportunities that move kids from sedentary to active. Presently, there are nearly 50 program sites operating across five Fitness Zones, reaching more than 10,000 youth year-round. Falcons players and cheerleaders make regular visits to the Fitness Zones, where they engage kids in physical activities and emphasize the benefits of exercise and proper diet. As role models for many of the children in the Zones, Falcons players and cheerleaders can have a strong influence in changing the behaviors that lead to childhood obesity. There are four Fitness Zones in the City of Atlanta and one in Hall County, home to the Atlanta Falcons ATLANTA FALCONS // YOUTH FOUNDATION AFYF also provides grants to non-profit organizations that are focused on improving the physical development of Georgia s youth and increasing the amount of time kids spend in organized physical activity year-round. These grants support youth football and cheerleading programs, other sports and fitness activities and healthy lifestyle programs. Key investments in 2009 include grants to the First Tee of Atlanta 5 FALCONS FITNESS ZONE SITE CENTENNIAL PLACE FAMILY YMCA

4 FALCONS FIRST DOWN FOR FITNESS In its fourth year, the Falcons First Down for Fitness program is designed to challenge students in grades three through seven to participate in fitness activities and lead a healthy lifestyle. In collaboration with the American Heart Association, the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association and the NFL s Play 60 campaign, this incentive based program rewards participants for being active at least 60 minutes a day, three days a week for two months. In 2009, nearly 33,000 students and over 150 teachers across the state participated in the program. FALCONS FITNESS FLAG CREW During each Atlanta Falcons home game, 60 participants are selected to assist in unfurling an oversized 40 yard by 40 yard Falcons flag as a part of the Falcons game day experience right before kickoff. These participants are made up of schools, military bases, youth football teams and civic/ non-profit organizations. The Falcons Fitness Flag Crew offers individuals the opportunity to partake in pre-game aerobic activities led by the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, an on-field rehearsal and the opportunity to visit Falcons Landing. By the conclusion of each experience, participants log nearly two miles of walking. FIRST DOWN FOR FITNESS ATLANTA FALCONS TRAINING CAMP YOUTH WEEKEND Hundreds of young fans participated in Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Youth Weekend during the first weekend of camp. Activities were open to children ages 17 and under and held one hour before each open practice. In 2009, Youth Weekend activities included: daily autograph sessions with Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, Look 6 A TLANTAFALCONS.COM

5 YOUTH FOOTBALL The Atlanta Falcons players made over 700 community appearances around the state of Georgia during the past year. A few of the most unforgettable visits included a fishing excursion off of Lake Lanier Islands with Purple Heart recipients and a Black Hawk helicopter ride to Fort Benning Army Base to thank the military for their service. Additional visits throughout the community included: neighboring elementary and middle schools, Atlanta area hospitals, numerous homeless shelters and local libraries. 7 Dating back to 2003, the Extra Yard Partnership Program provides an opportunity for Atlanta Falcons players to connect directly with military groups, youth groups and non-profit organizations throughout the State of Georgia. Through the Extra Yard Partnership Program, a player or player s foundation purchases 40 season tickets and t-shirts for a charity group. In 2009, 34 Falcons players participated. PLAYER APPEARANCES EXTRA YARD PARTNERSHIP This season marked the 11th year of the NFL and United Way s partnership and celebration of Hometown Huddle. On this day, all 32 teams around the league participate in several community and volunteer activities. The entire Falcons roster and several Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders made surprise appearances at eight stops around downtown and the metro Atlanta area. Four stops included schools where players and cheerleaders participated in physical fitness activities with students and the other four stops included a retirement community and local landmarks around the city. The Atlanta Falcons conduct Gatorade Junior Training Camps in schools and parks across Georgia with a special emphasis on introducing youth to the fundamentals of football through basic drills as well as exposure to hydration maintenance. In 2009, nearly 40 camps were conducted across the state and an estimated 5,000 children had the opportunity to participate. HOMETOWN HUDDLE Like A Pro where children had the chance to try on authentic Falcons equipment, Show Your Spirit Day, which offered children wearing a football jersey or cheerleading uniform a mini-football or pom-pom, Jersey Frenzy, which allowed young fans the chance to win an autographed jersey and Hats Off, which allowed young fans the chance to win an autographed authentic helmet. HOMETOWN HUDDLE

6 FALCAN FOOD DRIVE ATLANTA FALCONS WOMEN S ASSOCIATION As a standing tradition, each year the Atlanta Falcons partner with the Atlanta Community Food Bank for the annual FalCan Food Drive. In 2009, the Falcons extended its partnership by teaming up with Publix Super Markets. In total, nearly 4,500 pounds of food and just over $6,000 were collected to help provide groceries to those in need during the holiday season. This past season was filled with several events and volunteer opportunities for the Atlanta Falcons Women s Association. The season kicked off with a luncheon at Chateau Élan that featured the latest fall fashion trends provided by Macy s Department Stores. Over the course of the season, members had major roles in the following initiatives: annual t-shirt and pillowcase paint at Children s Healthcare of Atlanta, Falcons Football Academy, the FalCan Food Drive and the Toys for Tots Drive. ATLANTA FALCONS CHEERLEADERS Everyone knows that the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders perform at each home game, but what most may not know is that in 2009 the cheerleaders appeared at over 350 community events across the state of Georgia. These events included stops at hospitals, schools, homeless shelters and even military bases to name a few. BALL BOY MENTORING PROGRAM In its eighth year, the Ball Boy program has provided opportunities for teenage boys from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County to assist the Falcons equipment staff and interact with players during training camp and throughout the season. Falcons players serve as mentors to these young men through regular meetings that provide boys the opportunity to talk to the players about schoolwork, home life and other things that may be affecting their lives. Falcons fans supported the 2009 Atlanta Falcons Toys for Tots Drive in record fashion. With donations of over 2,000 toys and more than $23,000, together the Atlanta Falcons and the U.S. Marine Corps were able to provide deserving families with special toys during the holiday season. FREDDIE FALCON Fan favorite and team mascot, Freddie Falcon, made over 250 appearances in 2009 not only in his hometown of Atlanta, but all over the country. He represented the Atlanta Falcons in Miami at both the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIV TOYS FOR TOTS PRESENTED BY O REILLY AUTO PARTS TOYS FOR TOTS 8

7 COMMUNITY QUARTERBACK AWARD The Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award honors volunteers in Georgia (ages 13 and over) who exemplify leadership and dedication to bettering their communities. Many organizations rely on quality volunteers to create and facilitate programs that benefit countless lives throughout Georgia. The Community Quarterback award is designed to recognize and reward these volunteers. Four winners are recognized on-field during a home game and each winning organization receives a $2,000 grant. PLAYER HOLIDAY OUTREACH The holiday season is filled with various opportunities for Falcons players to get involved and give back to the less fortunate. During the 2009 holiday season, there were several events. The Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club, sponsored by United Healthcare of Georgia, served a special Thanksgiving meal to those less fortunate at Crossroads Community Ministries. They also treated several children from the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta and Minds in Motion Inc. to a holiday shopping spree at a local Wal-Mart. The Atlanta Falcons offensive line also hosted its inauguaral Shop with the O-Line event. This event treated 40 children from a local shelter to a shopping spree and a special holiday meal. and even went to Hong Kong with the NFL for the Chinese New Year. Freddie s visits include pep rallies, assemblies at local schools and children s hospitals. ATLANTA FALCONS JUNIOR CHEERLEADERS In 2009, girls ages 5-16 had the opportunity to cheer for their home team by participating in the Atlanta Falcons Junior Cheerleaders Program. Participants of the program receive many great things including: a game day uniform, pom poms, a practice t-shirt, three instructional clinics taught by the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and a tailgate party on performance day. Nearly 300 girls performed in front of tens of thousands of fans during halftime of a Falcons home game. Participants also helped support Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research, a change collection program, in which all the proceeds directly benefit childhood cancer research. The girls collected nearly $900 that helped support the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. 9 FALCONS JUNIOR CHEERLEADERS