NFL HEALTH UPDATE -- DEC. 17, 2014COWBOYS BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO LOCAL CHILDRENS HOSPITALSFor the 26th year, the conducted their annual children's hospital holiday visits on Dec. 9, spreading a little cheer and delivering toys. The entire roster, Cheerleaders, mascot Rowdy, executives and significant others divided into groups to visit hundreds of children at four area hospitals: Children's Medical Center, Medical City and Texas Scottish Rite in Dallas, as well as Cook Children's in Fort Worth. Each child received an authentic game sock stuffed with goodies courtesy of the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation. The annual initiative is a favorite of the both for players and staff, putting smiles on faces and offering some much-needed distraction for young patients and their families.PATRIOTS HOST 21ST ANNUAL CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY Garret Wallow Jersey PARTYFor the 21st consecutive year, the Kraft family and the Charitable Foundation hosted a holiday party at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 26 for children in need. More than 250 children from the Salvation Army and community centers acro s New England were invited. players joined cheerleaders and Pat Patriot to help serve dinner, sign autographs for the children and take part in a variety of holiday-themed games, including build-a-tree, where the players and special guests were decorated with garland, ornaments and other items to resemble a Christmas tree. The night was capped with presents for all of the children, their choice of a variety of teddy bears and a special visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus."It's special," said tight end . "I mean coming here, helping out the kids, giving back to the kids is a great experience."PANTHERS AWARD $55,000 GRANT TO NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONThe awarded the North Carolina High School Athletic A sociation (NCHSAA) a $55,000 grant to support the Heads Up Football initiative. The grant was announced during the NCHSAA's 2014 state high school football championship pre s conference in Chapel Hill. "The NCHSAA is a national leader in promoting safety for its schools and student-athletes," said director of community relations Riley Fields. "The share similar values and are committed to enhancing player health and safety at the youth and high school levels. We are pleased to partner with the NCHSAA to provide new opportunities for high schools."During the past two seasons, nearly 1,000 high schools have adopted Heads Up Football, including the Wake County Public School System and Pitt County Schools.CHARGERS OFFENSIVE LINE KICKS OFF SEASON OF GIVINGThe offensive line kicked off the holiday season on Dec. 8 by taking children shopping at Macy's. Each child was given $400 to purchase family Christmas gifts. The children were selected by STAR/PAL, a non-profit organization that provides more than 10,000 youth services annually in inner-city neighborhoods throughout the county of San Diego.Offensive line coach Joe D'Ale sandris initiated the event when he joined the . Throughout the season, the O-line is "fined" for certain indiscretions, such as wearing a hat in a position meeting. They pay the "fine" and at the end of the year the amount raised is used for this event."It's great to see the smiles on their faces," said. "I enjoy being here. Cedric Ogbuehi Jersey I didn't really see many gifts as a kid, and it's funny because one time I raised gifts for a needy family, and none of us knew that the family ended up being my own! So it feels great to give kids tonight things that I didn't have."TEXANS AWARD PLAY 60 GRANTS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS president Jamey Rootes and general manager Rick Smith recognized the four schools who received PLAY 60 grants from the team in a check presentation during the Nov. 30 game between the and . Grants totaling $40,000 were awarded to Clifton Middle School, DeZavala Elementary School, J. R. Reynolds Elementary School and Pro-Vision Academy. Nearly 50 schools in the area applied for grants worth up to $10,000 to help purchase the equipment they need to get kids moving during the school day. The participate in several programs throughout the year to help further the PLAY 60 me sage and to help kids acro s Houston get active and stay active.BILLS TOYOTA ROOKIE CLUB HOSTS ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY FOR CHILDRENThe Toyota Rookie Club hosted 100 children from 10 local organizations at the winter-wonderland themed Jim Kelly Club at Ralph Wilson Stadium for the annual Holiday Party for Children.After enjoying dinner with the children and sharing their favorite holiday memories, more than 20 rookies and veterans, including , and , pa sed out presents to each child in attendance with the help of Santa Claus."The Toyota Rookie Club Holiday Party for Children is always one of our favorite events of the season. The excitement our guests exhibit over the gifts they receive and the players they meet is something we truly value," said Gretchen Geitter, vice president of community relations. "We are thrilled to welcome back our guests and to continue to work with the local agencies that are doing such wonderful things for our local youth."DETROIT LIONS SURPRISE FAMILY WITH FULLY FURNISHED HOMEThe , in partnership with Warrick Dunn Charities' Homes for the Holidays (HFTH), presented a brand new, fully furnished home to a family in Detroit on Dec. 9. staff, players, and members of the Women's A sociation had one week to purchase home dcor and furnishings Vincent Taylor Jersey and stage them for the final presentation. partners Gardner White, Meijer and Subway were also on hand to a sist with filling the home with furniture, dcor and groceries.The family arrived on that morning to a large crowd of staff, volunteers, players, and alumni to welcome them. players , , , and alumni Herman Moore and Lem Charlie Heck Jersey Barney presented the Harris family with a check to use toward the down payment of their new home before handing over the keys.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES' DR. PETER DELUCA HONORED BY OTHO DAVIS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATIONThe Otho Davis Scholarship Foundation (OSDF) recently awarded the third annual Dick Vermeil Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Peter Deluca for his outstanding contribution and dedication in the field of sports medicine. Dr. Deluca is in his 18th season with the and 13th as the head team physician and head Orthopaedic Surgeon. He is also the head team Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Philadelphia Flyers.Harold Carmichael, President and Trustee of the Otho Davis Scholarship Foundation, praised DeLuca, r saying, "He always takes exceptional care of the players on the , and is my and my family's doctor as well." Mr. Carmichael went on to say that DeLuca's, "'training table' side manner is second to none. He puts our players first and is a real pro. We are delighted to be able to honor him with the prestigious Dick Vermeil Award this year.""It is an honor to be the recipient of the Dick Vermeil Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of the care that I have and will continue to provide to athletes," said DeLuca. COLTS PACK ONE MILLION NUTRITIOUS MEALS WITH KIDS AGAINST HUNGER TO "SACK" HUNGERMore than 4,000 volunteers gathered recently at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the fourth annual Million Meal Marathon. Volunteers packed nutritious meals that will be distributed through Gleaners, Midwest Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana to help end hunger for the one in four Hoosier children who are food insecure. players , , , , and as well as Cheerleaders volunteered at the Whitney Mercilus Jersey event.Redding said, "I don't think any kid should go to bed hungry. Events like the Million Meal Marathon help us get closer to the goal."By mobilizing the energy and compa sion of Indiana children, teens and adults to package these meals, Kids Against Hunger creates an experience whereby volunteers are taught how they can make a difference in the lives of the poverty-stricken worldwide.FALCONS TAKE LOCAL CHILDREN SHOPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS quarterback and the Rookie Club, sponsored by UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, hosted "Shop with a Pro," on Dec. 16. It is a program offering disadvantaged and homele s children the opportunity to bond while shopping with profe sional athletes during the holidays. The players provided 35 children from Atlanta Action Ministries each with a $150 gift card and accompanied them at a local sporting goods store at the Mall of Georgia in Buford, GA for an evening of shopping and holiday fun. BALTIMORE RAVENS INTRODUCE GAMEPLANEARTH INITIATIVE players , , , , and joined staff and partnered with Parks & People Foundation to plant trees and remove litter in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of Baltimore. The tree planting was followed by an environmental information se sion, attended by , and er, and led by Healthy Harbor, a Waterfront Partnership Initiative whose goal is to create a cleaner, greener future for Baltimore's streams and harbor. The first part of the se sion included a discu sion of the "State of Baltimore's Harbor." The group went outside to see how oysters are grown for the Healthy Harbor Oyster Partnership and walked to the Inner Harbor Water Wheel, where inventor and operator John Kellett spoke and answered questions. The events were part of the ' GamePlanEarth, a week of environmental initiatives led by the to help make Baltimore a more sustainable city.-- NFL Communications