San Diego Chargers Kicker Nate Kaeding (10) and Punter Mike Scifres (5) Ready to Get Kickin’ for Third Annual Kicks for Kids Program Launch

(San Diego, CA) (July, 2010) -- San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding (#10) and punter Mike Scifres (#5) are kicking to help make life easier for families with seriously ill children again this year with the third annual Kicks for Kids pledge drive for the Chargers 2010 football season to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of San Diego (RMHSD). San Diegans are asked to pledge $1, $5, $10, $20 or more for each field goal kicked by Kaeding and each punt inside the 20 made by Scifres during the 2010 regular season games, or, to make a one-time donation. All contributions are tax deductible. Last year Kaeding kicked 32 successful field goals and Scifres made 23 successful punts inside the 20 yard line. New this year, seven local eateries will serve as Kicks for Kids headquarters during the Chargers away games. Fans who make a pledge are invited to exclusive Chargers watching parties, and take advantage of special food and beverage discounts. They’ll also be entered into a drawing to win Chargers gear signed by Nate and Mike.

The Kicks for Kids Chargers watching party schedule is:

Pre Season

August 27 Q Restaurant and Sports Bar -- 5:00pm

September 2 Henry's Pub -- 7:00pm

Regular Season

September 13 Bennigan's -- 7:15pm

September 26 Q Restaurant and Sports Bar -- 1:15pm

October 10 Henry's Pub -- 1:15pm

October 17 Gordon Biersch -- 10:00am

November 7 The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole -- 10:00am

November 28 Q Restaurant and Sports Bar -- 5:20pm

December 26 McGregor's Grill & Ale House -- 5:20pm

January 2 Henry's Pub -- 1:15pm

“Seeing the families at Ronald McDonald House firsthand, I realize how important it is for the community to help these families in medical crisis,” said Kaeding. “My field goals count for the Chargers and for families in need and I encourage everyone who can to help through Kicks for Kids.”

“The kids need us and the families need us to help make their life easier while they take care of their sick child. For us, it’s great knowing our kicks are doing more than just scoring points and helping the team. We’re doing good off the field, too..” said Scifres. “Please make a pledge to help these families.”

Sponsors for this year’s Kicks for Kids include: The San Diego Union-Tribune, KPRI radio and Toyota.

Donations can be made by visiting the Kicks For Kids campaign website at www.sdkicksforkids.com or by clicking on the Kicks For Kids link from the San Diego Chargers website at www.chargers.com. Community members are asked to complete and submit an electronic pledge form found at the website. Supporters who pay by credit card will be charged at the end of each month during the season to fulfill their pledge donation. For each pledge, donors will receive:

An exclusive Kicks for Kids membership pin (for every pledge of $1 or more per field goal)

Food and beverage specials at local eateries

Automatic entry into game day drawings

Invitations to Kicks for Kids parties at local eateries

Invitations to Kicks for Kids tailgating parties

For more information on Kicks For Kids pledging, party locations, directions and discount offers, visit www.sdkicksforkids.com or call (858) 467-4750.

About Ronald McDonald House of San Diego:

For 30 years, San Diego’s RMHC has provided more than 140,000 nights of lodging for more than 14,000 families whose children face life-threatening illnesses and are receiving treatment at area hospitals. With the opening of the new House located atop a six-story parking garage across from Rady Children’s Hospital, the new 47-bedroom Ronald McDonald House quadrupled the size of the old 12-bedroom House. It features a new Family Care Center that is open daily to anyone with a child in an area hospital and will serve the needs of 20,000 families each year. The Center offers dining services, a computer lab, arts and crafts room, children’s play room, teen center, play yard, faith room, outdoor play areas, laundry, day resting rooms and shower facilities. RMHC is a 501(C) (3) non-profit that receives 10 percent of its funding from local McDonald’s Restaurant owners and operators. The remaining 90 percent needed to operate the house and serve families must be raised through private philanthropy. For more information, go to www.rmhcsd.org or call (858) 467-4750

Home for the Holidays

Mike Scifres Takes Care of Home for the Holidays

December 16, 2008 | New Orleans, LA

With the holiday season of giving in full effect, Louisiana’s very own Mike Scifres of the San Diego Chargers helped stock a teen playroom at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans with over $10,000 worth of merchandise, featuring recreational and educational items, made possible by The Mike Scifres Foundation.

Due to the NFL season, Scifres was not on hand to dedicate the gifts. However, he enlisted his mother as well as four guys from the state-championship football squad at Destrehan High (his alma mater) to attend in his place and spend time with the young patients.

Scifres, who was a childhood patient, credits Children’s Hospital in New Orleans for saving his life and his career, and is eager to give back. Growing up, Scifres developed severe allergies and eczema and was hospitalized after developing blood poisoning due to a dangerous leg infection that if it progressed any further would threaten his life. No one knew that by saving Mike’s leg, the doctors would be saving his career, as 23 years later Mike was drafted to play for the San Diego Chargers, and has now earned a reputation as one of the top punters in the NFL.

By sponsoring a teen playroom in the hospital, Scifres hopes to provide sick teenagers with a social, creative and motivational outlet through the donation of arts, crafts, music, movies, video games, technology, activities and more.

“I wanted to create an environment that inspires young teens and gives them a chance to focus on something other than being sick, especially during the holiday season,” says Scifres. “I am blessed to be where I am today and am committed to using the many resources that I have gained through my NFL career to give back to the community.”

 

Game Day Ticket Donations

New and Once in a Lifetime Experiences are Provided through AFE’s Tickets for Tomorrow Program for Youth

2008 | San Diego, CA

In 2008 AFE through Chargers Players Kassim Osgood (50), Luis Castillo (20), Mike Scifres (10), Steve Gregory (10), Jeromey Clary (10), Tra Battle (10) & Jacques Cesaire (10) donated 120 total tickets to schools & organizations that provide services to low-income families & at-risk youth to all 10 Chargers home games.

AFE’s Tickets for Tomorrow Mentorship Program is an incentive driven program which collaborates with teachers & program administrators in San Diego & North Counties creating educational programs to track improved academics & citizenship within the school & organizations. AFE rewards children for achieving academic and citizenship goals set by their teachers.

Since 1996 AFE has created programs with local professional athletes to partner with local businesses and corporations to provide opportunities for more than 15,000 youth & families to attend professional sporting and recreational events. These events include: Chargers & Padres home game tickets, concerts, trips to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Disneyland, SeaWorld and more.