Seattle, WA , November 27, 2006 – Football was back in action for seventy kids in the North Seattle Boys and Girls club. After seven long years without access to football due to lack of funds, students from low-income and minority families ranging in age from 8-10 were provided the funds by the Putnam Foundation to play on the North Seattle Boys and Girls club 89ers football team in the Ballard Football League.
This year's season ran from August to mid-November and included thirty youth from the community on the 89ers team, lead by Coach "Al" who was named Coach of the Year. Coach "Al" said "The team in and of itself brought back a tradition at the North Seattle Boys & Girls Club and instilled a renewed sense of pride for our members, staff, and community." The Executive Director of the North Seattle Boys and Girls Club, Derek Smith, said "The Putnam Foundation has restored a piece of our past at North Seattle and provided a new opportunity of our youth to grow and succeed." One of the boys involved in the program said that he liked football the best because it needs every single player and he felt he learned about teamwork and trusting others during the season.
The funds for this year's football program were provided by the many supporters' at last year's second annual Hats and Bats Gala where over $13,000 was pledged to bring back football to North Seattle. This year the Putnam Foundation's Annual Gala will be held on December 31, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Downtown Seattle. More information about the football program and the Hats and Bats Gala can be found @ www.putnamfoundation.org
About the Putnam Foundation
The Putnam Foundation is a NW based 501 c3 non-profit organization committed to honoring the life of Peter Putnam through the development and expansion of youth sports programs. We are committed creating opportunities to play for every child and strengthening communities by putting supporters' dollars at work within their local community. For More information, please check us out @ www.putnamfoundation.org or contact our Executive Director, Chris Turnley, 206-790-1315, cturnley@putnamfoundation.org