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Payne Praises $2 Million in NFL Legacy Grants

January 31, 2014

Newark, N.J. –Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) praised the Super Bowl XLVIII Legacy Grants the NFL Foundation has provided to New Jersey. Every year, the NFL Foundation donates $1 million, which is then matched by private and local donations for a total of a joint $2 million initiative, toward Super Bowl legacy grant programs. In choosing its recipients, the NFL works with the local Super Bowl host committee to identify and fund projects that will enhance the lives of those in the local community. Four of the NFL Legacy Grant recipients are organizations within New Jersey’s Tenth Congressional District.

“The Super Bowl is one of America’s biggest events,” Rep. Payne, Jr. “This year it is special because of the work that is being done off the field for the young people of New Jersey. These Super Bowl Legacy Grants will go to improve and create safe and exciting areas for our young people to play and learn about camaraderie and team work. A lasting impression will surely be left long after the Super Bowl has ended. I want to thank the NFL Foundation for its tremendous our community.”

The details of the joint grants and the funding provided to the four organizations in New Jersey’s Tenth Congressional District are as follows:

· The Boys and Girls Club (Central Ward, Newark, NJ) received $50,000. It was built in 1971. The Super Bowl Legacy grant funded many capital needs and improvements – including the renovation of the welcome area, game room, visual arts room, technology center, dance and fitness studio, instructional kitchen and garden, gymnasium, and aquatics center.

· The Caven Point Field (Jersey City, NJ) received $180,000. Caven Point Field is an extremely busy field used 10 months out of the year. The Super Bowl Legacy grant will help provide high efficiency lights in order for increased usage for practices and night games.

· The Rahway Community Action Center (Rahway, NJ) received $50,000. It is a large multi-purpose play room that was ruined in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. The Super Bowl Legacy grant will aid in funding the removal of old carpeting and installation of child-friendly flooring as well as ceiling tiles and other equipment that was badly damaged

· TEAM Charter Schools (Newark, NJ) Rise Academy received $225,000. TEAM Charter Schools is building a turf football field. The Super Bowl Legacy grant will support the construction of this field, which will support many of the athletic activities that are offered to TEAM students. TEAM Charter schools serve of 1,800 children.