The Philadelphia Eagles are teaming up with five new Eagles Care Partners as part of the organization's commitment to supporting a high quality of life for fans and citizens throughout the greater Philadelphia region.

The Eagles Care initiative connects the team with five local non-profits each year in an effort to jointly increase their positive influence on the community. Through these season-long strategic partnerships, the Eagles work closely with the charitable organizations on a variety of events and projects that aim to enhance the support they provide to their communities. 

"We are excited to work with these five charitable organizations who do incredible work throughout the Philadelphia region each and every day," said Eagles President Don Smolenski. "We are eager to engage with them and to assist in supporting their missions."

2015 Eagles Care Partners

• The Family Lives On Foundation supports the lifelong emotional well-being of children whose mother or father has died. The Family Lives On Tradition Program supports parentally bereaved children and teens in continuing traditions they shared with their deceased parent. Although the Family Lives On Foundation is locally based and focused, the Tradition Program is available nationally. For more information, please visit www.FamilyLivesOn.org.

• Greener Partners connects communities through food, farms and education by increasing and strengthening public access to fresh, seasonal and local food; training new farmers in resilient farming techniques and achieving success in the growing local food economy; and educating people of all ages about the origins of their food to empower them to create healthy communities. This is done through Farm Hubs, Community Supported Agriculture (farm memberships) and education programs. For more information, please visit www.GreenerPartners.org.

• The mission of Little Smiles is to put smiles on the faces of children in hospitals, shelters and other like-facilities. With the guidance of local professionals such as doctors, nurses, child life specialists and social workers, Little Smiles strives to help kids escape their unfortunate circumstances, even if only for a short period of time. Little Smiles is a volunteer-driven, non-profit that serves counties in both Philadelphia and Delaware. For more information, please visit www.LittleSmiles.org/PChapter-home-page.

• Northern Children's Services supports the healthy development of children, while stabilizing their families to build stronger communities. Northern Children's was founded during the Civil War era and has more than 160 years of service to children. The organization believes that their six core values – service excellence, trust, respect, hope, integrity and innovation – are most effective in their service to children and their families. For more information, please visit www.NorthernChildren.org.

• Steppingstone Scholars is built on the belief that children deserve access to an education that allows them the opportunity to make the most of their talents. Students with the potential and a community of support are prepared for admission to and success at the best public, non-public and independent college preparatory schools through a program of academics, mentoring and support. Steppingstone Scholars works with families, students and partner schools to create opportunities that lead to college degree attainment, social mobility and leadership in society. For more information, please visit www.SteppingstoneScholars.org.

"This is a pivotal time for Family Lives On," said Christine Cavalieri, Executive Director of the Family Lives on Foundation. "We're so excited for the opportunities to increase awareness and support for all the children and teens whose mother or father has died. This transformative partnership will provide access to the talent and organizational effectiveness of the Philadelphia Eagles. The capacity building will fuel the expansion of our services so that no child or teen ever has to grieve alone."

Now in its third year, the Eagles Care network continues to grow. At the end of their season-long partnership, each non-profit partner will become part of the Eagles Care network and will continue to collaborate with the Eagles and each other on a number of community outreach events and campaigns.

"Being an Eagles Care partner this last year was transformative for The Center for Grieving Children at every level," said Darcy Walker Krause, Executive Director, The Center for Grieving Children. "We learned about how corporate funders view our work, ways we can improve our business model and how we can creatively ask for support. The Eagles are committed to making the city of Philadelphia a stronger place, and the meaningful relationships that they're building with non-profits in our community make real, lasting impact and change."

In 2014, the Eagles partnered with the Center for Grieving Children, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia and Simon's Fund. The inaugural year of the Eagles Care initiative in 2013 included Bringing Hope Home, Cradles to Crayons, the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and the Riverbend Environmental Education Center. For more information on the Eagles and their charitable endeavors, please visit www.PhiladelphiaEagles.com/community.

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