Although we reside in a city of millions, we are not immune from experiencing the thrill of each personal success and the pain of each individual’s trials.

When one of our neighbors triumphs, we rejoice in his good fortune. And when one falls, we instinctively reach to lift him up. Through a variety of community outreach programs, we aspire to lift the spirits and burdens of our neighbors by extending helping hands, no matter how big or small the task may be.

Near West Side Community Relations

In 2000, the United Center pledged $1 million to support The Home Visitors Program (HVP) – an initiative that focuses on transitioning residents in Henry Horner Homes. At the close of 2003, the program was responsible for assisting over 500 residents with their transition from the high-rises into new housing. By helping these families find employment, resolve non-compliance issues with the Chicago Housing Authority and connect with social services, HVP brings stability to struggling families. The United Center continues to support the initiative with significant financial donations each year.

In addition, we join forces with the United Center for other initiatives on the west side in an effort to strengthen the community and improve the lives of its residents. In 1999, the United Center contributed $100,000 to rebuild St. Stephen’s Church after it was destroyed by fire. Over $1.6 million has been invested by us and the United Center in educational and athletic programs at Malcolm X College located just south of the arena.

North Chicago Project

In the fall of 2002, the Bulls partnered with Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk to answer the call of the North Chicago community. After losing two of their young men to teen violence, the northeastern Illinois neighborhood was desperately in search of after school and athletic programs. To assist them in developing a safe environment for youth basketball leagues and tournaments, we donated $100,000 and the design to renovate two of the Park District’s deteriorated outdoor basketball courts. The resurfaced courts were created in the likeness of the Bulls’ home court at the United Center and provide safety with outdoor lighting, bleacher seating and newly-installed fencing. The courts were officially opened in April, 2003, and host children of all ages for recreational play as well as numerous tournaments and leagues during the warm weather months.

Each year, the Bulls coordinate a non-holiday food drive with the Food Depository to keep their food closets filled year round.

Chicago Gateway Green

In early 2004, we extended our “Expressway Partnership” with Chicago Gateway Green, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the beautification of the Chicagoland area. The goal of the program is to help transform expressways into parkways by removing litter and graffiti, managing the landscape and installing public art on area expressways. Our initial $43,000 pledge in 2001 financed the maintenance of a section of the outbound Kennedy Expressway near the United Center marked by a sign at the Milwaukee Avenue exit ramp. In 2004, we renewed our commitment by donating another $43,000 to continue the effort for an additional three years.

United Center Community
Economic Development Fund

One of our most ambitious undertakings in partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks and the United Center is the United Center Economic Development Fund. Formulated in 1995, the $1 million fund was developed to stimulate new business and create new jobs in the neighborhood. Through the fund, the three groups continue to offer assistance to businesses lacking traditional access to capital resources. In turn, jobs are created in the areas that need them most.

Food Drives

When the residents in our neighborhoods are struggling without life’s essentials, we are especially troubled and compelled to offer a helping hand. Those who are homeless, hungry and unemployed battle every day merely to survive.

Twice a year, we concentrate on the needs of the hungry in our own community by hosting food drives at our home games. Each December, we designate one game to collect food donations from employees and fans for holiday meals. Nearly two tons of non-perishable items are collected each year and distributed to Chicago-area food kitchens and shelters through the Greater Chicago Food Depository. In April, we coordinate a non-holiday food drive with the Food Depository to keep their food closets filled year round.

Donations

We receive countless requests from non-profit organizations, schools, hospitals and churches for items to assist fundraising efforts and provide student incentives. By donating autographed sports items and tickets, we help local charity groups raise over $125,000 each year. On top of that, we make numerous deliveries of merchandise and souvenirs on a daily basis. Those in-kind donations provide teachers, sports groups, after-school programs and other community organizations with incentives and prizes to assist with their daily efforts.

Bob Love, the Bulls' Dir. of Community Affairs, is available free of charge for speaking engagements throughout the year.

Bob Love

For 16 years, former Bull and three-time NBA All-Star Bob Love has served as our Director of Community Affairs. Once severely hindered by a significant stuttering problem, Bob travels the Chicagoland area and country to make over 300 annual appearances on behalf of the organization.

As a motivational speaker, Bob shares his story of fear and humiliation that lasted from his childhood through his NBA career because of his inability to verbally communicate with others. In discussing the obstacles he overcame to advance from living in silence to delivering hundreds of speeches a year, Bob eloquently verbalizes the message to our youth that any dream is a reality if it is approached with determination, discipline and diligence.

Along with lessons from his own personal experience, Bob assists in promoting the values of reading and education as part of our Read To Achieve program. He is available free-of-charge for appearances, speaking engagements and special events.

As a motivational speaker, Bob travels to schools and social agencies to deliver his inspirational message about overcoming a speech handicap impediment and his life as a professional athlete. Serving as the team's "goodwill ambassador," Bob represents the Bulls at schools, charity events, clinics, nonprofit groups and youth programs. Bob's comeback story inspires audiences and his speeches are often interrupted by laughter, tears, and standing ovations.

If you are interested in booking Bob Love, please fill out an official appearance request form. Bob is available to speak from Monday to Friday at locations within 45 miles of Chicago. Please note that Bob's schedule is based on availability and that a two-week advance notice is requested.

Team Mates

Team Mates is a philanthropic women’s organization made up of wives and family members of our front office employees, players, coaches and broadcasters along with female employees. During the season, Team Mates organizes fundraisers to generate financial support for the variety of causes to which they lend support. Over the years, they have made contributions to Children’s Memorial Hospital’s Injury-Free Chicago Program, West Side Future, Chicagoland Radio Information Services, Inc. (CRIS), the Better Care for Youth Clinic at Suder Elementary School, Alzheimer’s Association and several others. In addition to local efforts, the organization also supports the NBA’s national initiative, NBA Wives Save Lives, to encourage breast cancer awareness.

Wish-Granting Organizations

Make-A-Wish and Starlight Foundations are well-known for their efforts to make the dreams of critically ill children come true. When the wish of one seriously ill child is to meet one of our players or attend a game, our dream comes true. Several times a year, we are thrilled to open our home to these special guests and share an evening with them. To see the excitement in their eyes and the smiles on their faces is truly a reward.

PSAs

As professional athletes, our players and select members of the management team receive the opportunity to serve as spokespersons for a variety of causes. With their celebrity notoriety they possess the ability to deliver important messages with impact. We utilize that asset by producing a number of PSAs both for television and radio to drive messages of public importance or to help other nonprofit organizations gain public support.