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Sound the Charge

THE BOLTS RETURN to the gridiron for the start of the 2007 season with the September 9 home opener against the Chicago Bears. Sports analysts are already positioning the 2006 AFC West Champion Chargers as Super Bowl contenders. But for many of San Diego’s neediest residents——especially youth——the blue-and-gold shines even brighter off the field.

Steamrolling linebacker Shawne Merriman is an even heavier hitter when it comes to helping the homeless through his Lights On Foundation. He recently hosted the Lights On Comedy Jam, a two-day charitable event benefiting the San Diego Salvation Army and the Alpha Project for the Homeless. Merriman and NFL friends offered a free football clinic to more than 200 kids and restored the Children’s Learning Center at the Door of Hope transitional living home for homeless mothers and their children.

Other players leading the charitable charge include Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates, who is a big supporter of youth literacy and the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Every week, special-teams standout Kassim Osgood visits local schools to encourage kids to set goals and become productive members of the community. His foundation, Team K.O., is a partner with Athletes for Education (AFE), whose objective is to foster self-esteem and self confidence in youth. Each season, Osgood hosts 80 children per game in the Community Corner.

Offensive tackle Roman Oben founded the Roman Oben Foundation to promote positive development of youth through football, literacy and other community outreach projects. Defensive end Luis Castillo also teamed with AFE to mentor Hispanic kids through his Cargadores. Quarterback Philip Rivers is the spokesman for the popular Toss for Tots program benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital, where fans donate funds for each touchdown the Chargers score during the season.

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