Prior to stepping onto the Gridiron for pre-season action, San Francisco 49ers players, management, coaches and Silicon Valley executives were busy donning aprons, serving as celebrity waiters for the sold-out, sixth annual Pasta Bowl at the Santa Clara Convention Center on July 26.
Mingling and smiling widely with attendees, players seemed to be having as much fun as event patrons, getting a well-deserved break from the practice fields at the family-style charity dinner, presented by Sandisk in cooperation with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
Sold out for the sixth consecutive year, raising more than $100,000 for the San Francisco 49ers Foundation in support of City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley and Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY), the 49ers Foundation presented both organizations with checks for $50,000 at the event.
Emceed by Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area’s Dave Feldman, the unique event also included a premier wine tasting reception sponsored by U.S. Bank, with 15 vintners from the Napa Valley and Sonoma region, hors d’oeuvres, a silent raffle and balloon pop for prizes, youth activities, Sourdough Sam, Gold Rush Cheerleaders, Niner Noise and photo opportunities.
City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley is a dedicated volunteer corps serving children in school classrooms and in after school programs, inspiring youth to make positive choices, leading volunteers into transformative service and developing leadership skills.
Fresh Lifelines for Youth helps troubled teens learn to make healthy decisions, providing at-risk and disadvantaged youth with vital information regarding the decisions they make in their lives.
The 49ers Foundation is the non-profit community funding extension of the San Francisco 49ers. Now in its 20th year, the 49ers Foundation supports development programs for underserved youth that keep them safe, on track and in school. A significant portion of the foundation’s funding goes toward family violence prevention programs and activities that teach youth leadership and respect. Since 1992, the Foundation has donated $18 million to local non-profit organizations, including over $2 million in 2011. Visit http://www.49ers.com/community/foundation.html for more information on the 49ers Foundation.