The Huntley Farmside

              354^
Volume 40 No. 39
Your hometov^n newspaper
Thursday Sept. 28,2000
© 2000 Press-Republican Newspapers
Book'Bear'er
Chicago lineman Jim Flanigan tackles illiteracy
(Above) Chicago Bear Jim Flanigan offers his insight on illiteracy during a Huntley Area Public Library 'meet and greet' event to further the efforts of the Flanigan Foundation. (Right) Members of the Huntley High School football team and area residents take In Flanigan's message - to perform as well in class as on the field.
Liberty photos by Joel Garretson
by Jessica St. James
Correspondent
The Huntley Area Public Library was host to Chicago Bears defensive lineman Jim Flanigan Monday evening, Sept. 18,
Flanigan came to the library to com¬ memorate its grand opening and to speak to locals about his campaign against illit¬ eracy. He had originally intended to speak closer to the actual opening of the library, but a bout with appendicitis pre¬ vented him from doing so.
Flanigan is not only a star player for the Bears, he is a star to many children, adults and Illinois school districts alike. Weighing in at 288 pounds, the founder of the Jim Flanigan Foundation is responsible for the donation of tons of books.
The foundation donates 99, to repre¬ sent his jersey number, books to a needy organization each week of the football season.
In addition, Jim himself traverses the country in an interstate book drive, col¬ lecting and distributing more than 500,000 books. The Great American Book Drive travels between Chicago and Washington D.C, and at each stop along the way the foundation gives an excel¬ lence award to an individual who has made a local effort to fight illiteracy.
The Notre Dame graduate said he loves to read, and that "libraries are marvelous, wonderful things."
Some Huntley residents are now among the many who have had the opportunity to hear Jim's inspirational
"If you want to accomplish
something, you have to start
from within and believe in
yourself"
Jim Flanigan
Chicago Bears defensive lineman
words, as he spoke to comrnunity mem¬ bers and the Huntley High School foot¬ ball team Monday night. He said "read¬ ing will pay dividends for the rest of your life."
To the young athletes in attendance, he stressed that grades are important but it is possible to play sports and crack the books at the same time. He himself earned the title of valedictorian of his high school class, while simultaneously being recruited by a number of notable universities for his football skills.
"If you want to accomplish something, you have to start from within and believe in yourself," he said.
Flanigan opened up the floor for ques¬ tions early in the evening, and responded to a multiplicity of questions asked by young and old alike. Some of the ques¬ tions dealt with literacy, but most, how¬ ever, were about football.
Huntley residents were treated to an inside look at professional football, being a Chicago Bear and Jim Flanigan himself. Later there was time for a game of trivia and autograph signing.