To celebrate the San Francisco 49ers’ history of exemplifying the power of teamwork to accomplish goals, the team will honor an exceptional non-profit agency, youth football coach and a current 49ers player who has demonstrated a commitment to promoting unity and giving back to the local community with the fourth annual Perry/Yonamine Unity Awards. The award is named after former 49ers players Joe Perry and Wally Yonamine – two individuals who demonstrated the power of unity to make a difference on the field and in the community.
The winner in each category will receive a $10,000 grant award that will be donated to their represented organization.
The selected 49ers player will select their preferred nonprofit organization.
All completed applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, September 30th, 2011 to be eligible for consideration. Winners will be notified on Friday, October 14th. The award winners will be honored on the field on Sunday, November 13th during the game vs. the New York Giants.
Nominations should include information stating why the nominee should be considered. The following success indicators will help the selection committees evaluate the impact of the program, services, initiatives or related activities of the nominees:
- Inclusion: Include examples of how the nominee demonstrates accessibility and opportunities for unity while providing a safe and welcoming, culturally diverse outreach environment.
- Fairness: Demonstrate how the nominee promotes fair and ethical programs which translate into a positive experience for participants. Values such as respect, fairness, and unity are engrained in the philosophy and implemented in community programs, initiatives, services or related activities.
- Excellence: Highlight the nominee’s impact on the greater community relative to the size, scope and scale of those efforts.
- Impact: Describe how the nominee promoted unity through their community service/outreach efforts.
- Nominations will be received by the 49ers Community Relations Department and checked for completeness and eligibility.
- The 49ers selection committee will review all nominations and rank each submission based on the factors described in the previous section (“Indicators of Success”).
* The selected 49ers player can choose a non-profit of their choice
Please send an email to brandon.moreno@niners.nfl.com for additional information or questions about the Perry/Yonamine Unity Award program.
2010 Unity Award Winners
Category: Youth Football Coach
Skip Cain coached the Offensive Line at Irvington High School for over 40 years, developing young players into young men by providing stable and positive guidance.
Category: Non-Profit
Silicon Valley FACES, a pioneer in youth leadership development, building communities of respect, social justice, and diversion from high-risk behaviors. Accepting on behalf of Silicon Valley FACES is Ron Muriera.
Category: 49ers Player
Named by 49ers players and coaches was #94, Justin Smith. Justin selected Camp Okizu to receive his grant for their work providing support, respite, mentoring and recreational programs for families affected by childhood cancer. Accepting on behalf of Camp Okizu is John Bell.
