Public high schools and middle schools in Oregon in need of financial help for their sports programs may now apply for a 2016-17 California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant. Qualifying teams can score up to $3,000. Applications must be received at www.calcasathleticsgrant.com by January 15, 2017.

The grant is named after California Casualty Chairman Emeritus Tom Brown, who is a firm believer that lessons taught on the playing field – teamwork, confidence and sportsmanship – help develop youth who are more engaged in the classroom and the community.

Since its inception in 2011, over $500,000 has been awarded to more than 400 high schools across the nation. Last year, Hood River Valley High School, Nyssa High School, Roosevelt High School (Portland), South Jetty High School (Warrenton) and Wallowa High School shared $6,000.

The Oregon schools used the funds for:

• Uniforms and a shooting machine that will benefit both the boys and girls basketball teams at Hood River High  
• More team pants so the JV and varsity football team at Nyssa High won’t have to share them on game nights
• Uniforms and warm-ups for the Roosevelt High girls track team
• Equipment and uniforms for the South Jetty High basketball team that serves youth housed in a detention facility
• New helmets and shoulder pads to enhance player safety for the Wallowa High football team

“All students should be guaranteed a great education and also a chance to pursue their sports dreams. We are dedicated to helping educators in both pursuits,” said Doug Goldberg, Senior Vice President.

This year, middle schools are now eligible to apply. Applications are now being taken at www.calcasathleticsgrant.com. The deadline for consideration is January 15, 2017, with 2016-17 recipients announced in April.

California Casualty has other initiatives that give back to educators for all their hard work including the $2,500 Academic Award, www.calcasacademicaward.com, and $200 Help Your Classroom grants, www.calcas.com/help-your-classroom.

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