About the Foundation

Since it's inception, the Junior Seau Foundation has distributed nearly $4 million to organizations providing services to children and young adults. This amount includes funds designated to an endowment fund which benfits, in perpetuity, programs supporting youth with the desire but not the means to improve their lives. Also included is a $400,000 in scholarships distributed through the Scholars of Excellence program and over $330,000 towards Junior's Shop With A Jock^® program.

While each of the foundation programs are unique, all satisfy the Foundation’s overall mission: To educate and empower young people through the support of child abuse prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, recreational opportunities, anti-juvenile delinquency efforts and complimentary educational programs.

Junior Seau Foundation Ranked 13th Largest Foundation

The Junior Seau Foundation was ranked the 13th largest Professional Athlete Foundation by the Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2007.

Junior SEAU Foundation Receives $900,000 Grant

Fujitsu awarded the Junior Seau Foundation a $900,000 grant. Lorne Wilson, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing of Fujitsu, and Junior teamed up to support local organizations that meet the mission of the Junior Seau Foundation. The grant is part of one of the largest corporate grants ever distributed in the United States. Fujitsu believes in the accountability of the Foundation.

Scholars Of Excellence

Junior Seau understands that by positive role modeling and encouragement of education, the most vulnerable youth will aspire to better his or her situation through higher education. Underwritten by the NFL Charities (National Football League), the Scholars of Excellence program was created to recognize young men and women who are dedicated to both personal and academic excellence. Financial assistance is granted to scholars who have the desire, but not the means to achieve their dreams through higher education. Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $1,000 for each college academic year in which the student is enrolled as a full-time student. Currently, 16 scholars are receiving recurring support from the foundation.

A current scholar stated: “It’s always a pleasure to receive the care and support from an organization such as the Junior Seau Foundation. They gave me encouragement and gave me the confidence necessary to continue pursuing my goals. They also helped my family pay for my education. I feel blessed.”

Junior stated:" The goal of our Scholars of Excellence Program is to give youn gpeople a chance; a chance to get an education, a chance to better themsleves, a chance to succeed. We are acheiving our goal because of the generosity of our donors and NFL Charities. Congratulations to the 2009 Scholars - we are proud to be a part of our future."

Primarily funded by by the NFL Charities, The Scholars of Excellence Program is also funded by donations from generous businesses such as : Fujitsu, EDCO Disposal, Qulacomm Inc., Viejas Enterprises, The Bradley Foundation, the Wilber May Foundation, Verari Systems, teh Bretibard Family Foundation, Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort, adn DC Shoes.

The following schoalrships were awarded this year:

· Two $10,000 Fujitsu Scholarships – Nadia Farjood (Torrey Pines), Noor Makou (El Cajon Valley)

· Two $ 5,000 Wilbur May Foundation Scholarships – Natalie Hart (Christian), Adriana Vargas (El Camino)

· Two $5,000 EDCO Disposal Scholarships – Hygan Baghoyan (Rancho Buena Vista), Elizabeth Lopez (Mar Vista)

· Two $5,000 QUALCOMM Scholarships – Harmony Palmer (El Camino), Tadiyas Alemu (Helix Charter)

· $ 5,000 Bradley Foundation Scholarship – Allan Powell (Mission Hills)

· $ 5,000 Robert and Lillie Breitbard Foundation Scholarship – Chantal Creighton (Fallbrook Union)

· $ 5,000 Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians Scholarship – Dadiva Garth (La Costa Canyon)

· $ 5,000 Verari Systems Inc. Scholarship – Olivia Ortiz-Dugan (El Capitan)

· $ 5,000 Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort Scholarship – Vanessa Houston (Hoover)

· Ten $ 2,500 NFL Charities Scholarships – Ivette Armenta (Orange Glen), DeAndra Morris (Mount Miguel), Dan Nguyen (Orange Glen), Brett Rasmussen (Fallbrook Union), Thanh Nguyen (Kearny High School of International Business), Desislava Kalcheva (University City), Maria Macias (Kearny Digital Media and Design), Macy Olivas (Preuss School UCSD), Brianna Ortiz (Oceanside), Ryan Frisella (Patrick Henry).

Shop With a Jock^®

The Junior Seau Foundation teams with Target, corporate sponsors and individual donors for the Annual Shop with a Jock^®. During the holiday season, SHOP gives 200 underprivileged children from Boys and Girls Clubs the opportunity to shop for gifts for their loved ones. To make this a night these children will never forget, each child enjoys a festive dinner, a visit with Santa, and many fun-filled games and activities. The children are then paired with their favorite athlete who accompanies them on a holiday shopping spree throughout the store. The Shop With A Jock^® experience is best described by one of the children:

“If I had $100 I would buy a gift for my little sister…she can’t hear at all. I’m the one who watches over her and takes care of her. I would buy her something just to see the look on her face.”
Rene, age 13

Junior believes that it is important for children to learn about giving during the holiday season – he hopes the children will experience the true meaning of the season as they shop with their jock for gifts for their families.

Thanksgiving at SEAU’S the Restaurant

On Thanksgiving, dinner is prepared and served at SEAU’S The Restaurant for over 700 clients of non-profit agencies including homeless shelters, rehab centers, victims of domestic violence, and military families. This day exemplifies Junior’s belief in giving back to the community. It is a true celebration of thankfulness.

The Junior Seau Celebrity Golf Classic

The Foundation’s largest fundraiser is the three-day Junior Seau Celebrity Golf Classic, which includes the TEAM Seau Dinner and Auction, the Legends Party at SEAU’S The Restaurant and the Golf Tournament. The event takes place during March at the world famous La Costa Resort & Spa where National Football League’s “Legends” play with the sponsors. Each year a Legend is honored for commitment to family, to sportsmanship and to community. Past Legends are Sid Brooks, Lance Alworth, Sid Gillman, Don Coryell, Marcus Allen, Deacon Jones, Bobby Ross and Warren Moon. Sixty foursomes played both the North and South courses at La Costa.

Over 100 NFL Legends and Celebrities attended the various weekend events including:
Warren Moon, Reggie Bush, Natrone Means, Frank Brickowski, Greg Lloyd, La’Roi Glover, Ronnie Lott, Andy Macdonald, Jay Fiedler, Dermontti Dawson, Seth Joyner, Randy Jones, Sergio Mora, Marcus Allen, Drew Brees, Vencie Glenn, Rod Martin, Eric Dickerson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Chili Davis, Dennis McCoy, Kevin Robinson, June Jones, David Binn, Eric Fonoi, Aaron Taylor, Hugh Campbell, Christian Okoye, Andre Reed, Sid Brooks, Dave Stewart, Tina Mickelson, John Carney, Deacon Jones, Vaughn Parker, Darren Bennett, Marlin Briscoe, C.S. Keys, Willie Buchanon, Steve Hegg, Jim Laslavic, Mike Whitmarsh, Charles Dimry, Doug Wilkerson, Pete Shaw, Calvin Sweeney, Brad Daluiso, Darren Carrington, Ben Higgins.

The Teammates Luncheon

Each year the Junior Seau FOundation honors a San Diego athlete for their dedication to the comunity. Hundreds of distinguished business people from Southern California enjoy a lunchtime affair recognizing the efforts of an All-Star athlete for their commitment to helping those less fourtunate. A poertion of teh proceeds are dedicated to a charity of theHonoree's choice.

Junior Seau's appearances on behalf of San Diego's children

Junior Seau’s endorsement and presence at a fundraising event ensures success for the organization. During the off-season, Junior generously donates his time and talent to non-profits whose mission’s focus on children.

In addition to local charities, Junior partners with his NFL colleagues to raise funds for charitable endeavors. Traveling throughout the country, he attends golf tournaments, benefits, luncheons and galas for worthwhile causes.