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For the second consecutive year, Qwest and the Vikings teamed up to host a blood drive benefi ting Memorial Blood Centers at the Qwest Communications Minnesota Headquarters. Nearly 100 units were collected—including units from BRIAN DANIELS and JOHN SULLIVAN!

BEN LEBER, CHAD GREENWAY and Qwest Minnesota President John Stanoch thanked JOHN SULLIVAN for donating blood.

CHAD GREENWAY led the way and was joined by teammates HUSAIN ABDULLAH, CHRIS CLARK, BRIAN DANIELS, BEN LEBER, GARRETT MILLS, JOHN SULLIVAN and FAHU TAHI.

DARREN SHARPER thanked the students for their donation of books.

DARREN SHARPER, The Cat in the Hat and TYRELL JOHNSON.

In 2008, every player on the opening day roster took part in a community event. Tuesday is the only day the players have off during the season. But it’s not a day of rest and relaxation for many Minnesota Vikings. Instead, it’s a day Vikings players volunteer by participating in the team’s Community Tuesday program.

Throughout the season, players helped in numerous ways and at countless events to make a difference in the lives of others.

DARREN SHARPER kicked off our season-long “Community Tuesdays” presented by Qwest at the Seed Academy/Harvest Preparatory School in North Minneapolis. Qwest Pioneers along with players TYRELL JOHNSON, GARRETT MILLS and BOBBY WADE participated in a “Readers for Life” school assembly thanking the students for donating books to be shipped to Africa through the Books For Africa program. After the assembly, the players and Qwest Pioneers (volunteers) visited individual classrooms and read to the students.

COMMUNITY TUESDAY - A DAY DEVOTED TO VOLUNTEERING

QWEST IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS COMMUNITY TUESDAYS.

MEMORIAL BLOOD CENTERS/QWEST BLOOD DRIVE

READERS FOR LIFE “The Qwest Pioneers and the Minnesota

Vikings forged a great partnership to instill

the importance of being a life-long reader.

Through the Readers for Life project, students

at Seed Academy/Harvest Preparatory had an

opportunity to hear about the value of reading

from respected adults and were each given a

brand new book.”

– Karen Jothen, Community Affairs

Manager, Qwest

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Qwest and the Vikings partnered on our annual United Way-Hometown Huddle in 2008. Vikings United Way spokespersons PAT WILLIAMS, TARVARIS JACKSON and MATT BIRK, along with teammates GUS FREROTTE, OTIS GRIGSBY, FRED EVANS, BENNY SAPP and THOMAS TAPEH, hosted a clothing and household goods drive at Winter Park to benefi t the United Way funded Arc Greater Twin Cities.

UNITED WAY - HOMETOWN HUDDLE

ADOPTION FAMILY FUN FEST

The ROB BRZEZINSKI and RICK SPIELMAN FAMILIES once again hosted their Family Fun Fest for adoptive families from the Children’s Home Society and African American Adoption Agency. More than 400 people crowded into the Winter Park Fieldhouse where the children were put through football drills by AUNDRAE ALLISON, BRIAN DANIELS, ERIC FRAMPTON, MAURICE HICKS, MARCUS MCCAULEY, SIDNEY RICE, JOHN SULLIVAN, CHESTER TAYLOR, DONTARRIOUS THOMAS and ELLIS WYMS.

The players were introduced to the families.

CHESTER TAYLOR AUNDRAE ALLISON

SIDNEY RICE

QWEST IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS COMMUNITY TUESDAYS.

1212QWEST IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS COMMUNITY TUESDAYS.

Kicker RYAN LONGWELL and punter CHRIS KLUWE teamed up with the Radio City Rockettes and Vikings Cheerleaders to host an exercise-themed assembly at Hilltop Primary School through the NFL Play 60 initiative. Play 60 is the NFL movement aimed at getting children to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.

CHAD GREENWAY helped kick off Xcel Energy’s corporate United Way drive.

TORAH ACADEMY

CHRIS KLUWE, JOHN SULLIVAN, BRIAN DANIELS and SID HARTMAN visited Torah Academy in St. Louis Park to thank the students for a successful toy drive benefi ting those in need during Hanukkah.

THE SALVATION ARMY - $15,000 FITNESS ZONE

NFL PLAY 60

UNITED WAY/Xcel ENERGY CORPORATE CAMPAIGN

FRED EVANS, BRYANT MCKINNIE and his mom MICHELE GREEN put the fi nishing touches on a new Vikings-themed Fitness Zone at the East Lake Street Salvation Army in Minneapolis. Through NFL Charities, the Vikings contributed $15,000 for the new facility.

1313QWEST IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS COMMUNITY TUESDAYS.

Quarterback TARVARIS JACKSON visited Blue Heron Elementary School in Lino Lakes as part of the “NFL Take a Player to School Day” presented by JCPenney. Blue Heron 5th grade student Nick Henke was this year’s winner and Jackson accompanied him to school for the day, complete with a limo ride from his home.

TARVARIS JACKSON - NFL TAKE A PLAYER TO SCHOOL DAY

At the St. Paul Public Library Youth Volunteer Service Awards, Vikings linebacker DONTARRIOUS THOMAS, along with St. Paul City Council members PAT HARRIS and MELVIN CARTER III, recognized youth volunteers who had logged thousands of hours at local libraries.

ST. PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY YOUTH VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS

GARRETT MILLS, along with ROBERT FERGUSON, CHARLES GORDON, CHRIS KLUWE, JOHN SULLIVAN, ALBERT YOUNG and Vikings Athletic Trainers TOM HUNKELE and ROB ROCHE, held an American Heart Association “What Moves U” fi tness and life camp at Catholic Charities’ St. Joseph’s Home For Children.

ST. JOSEPH’S HOME FOR CHILDREN

To kickoff the school year, Vikings V.P. of Legal Affairs, Chief Adminstrative Offi cer KEVIN WARREN, along with wife, GRETA, and children, PERI and POWERS, donated more than 400 backpacks fi lled with school supplies to Lyndale Community School in Minneapolis. The Warrens selected the school because of the diversity of the student population, the dedication of the staff and the strides they are making academically with their students.

THE KEVIN WARREN FAMILY FOUNDATION

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For the second consecutive year, CULLEN LOEFFLER led the Vikings annual visit to the Veterans Home to visit the residents and play several spirited games of bingo. Joining Cullen were GARRETT MILLS, JOHN SULLIVAN, Vikings Director of Security and Vietnam veteran KIM KLAWITER and members of the Rogers VFW.

MINNEAPOLIS VETERANS HOME

All-Pro KEVIN WILLIAMS visited Children’s Hospitals and Clinics – Minneapolis and brought smiles to the faces of the young patients facing life challenges.

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL – MINNEAPOLIS

For the third consecutive year, Pro Bowl offensive lineman STEVE HUTCHINSON and his wife LANDYN made Thanksgiving a little more enjoyable for children by hosting an early Thanksgiving meal at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview. Steve and Landyn were so touched by the youngsters that less than a month later they provided an early Holiday meal and gifts for the patients and families. BEN LEBER, a regular visitor to the children’s hospital, also attended…as did Santa.

STEVE AND LANDYN HUTCHINSON HOSTED THE HOLIDAYS

QWEST IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS COMMUNITY TUESDAYS.

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While it is rare to have two brothers playing in the NFL, it is even more exceptional to have two brothers playing on the same team—and we have that with E.J. and ERIN HENDERSON. As good of football players as they are, they are better people off the fi eld. E.J. and Erin hosted more than 100 youngsters for a free showing of The Express—the story of Ernie Davis—the fi rst African American Heisman Trophy winner through the “NFL Day at the Movies” program. In addition, E.J. and Erin distributed more than 200 turkeys for the Holidays to families in need in North Minneapolis through the E.J. Henderson Urban Youth Outreach program. E.J. and Erin continue to train under served youth at their GameSpeed Football Academy and once again provided free shoes for the athletes they train through their “Kicks for Kids” initiative.

E.J. AND ERIN HENDERSON – GAMESPEED FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Halloween is one of Pro Bowl cornerback ANTOINE WINFIELD’S favorite days and in 2008 Antoine hosted his fi rst annual Boo Bowl for 200 area youth at GameWorks in Minneapolis. The event provided a warm and safe environment for the youngsters who were selected due to their strong participation in extra-curricular activities and school attendance. Dressing up and joining the Scarecrow (Antoine) were RUFUS ALEXANDER, RAY EDWARDS, MADIEU WILLIAMS and NAPOLEON HARRIS.

ANTOINE WINFIELD – BOO BOWL

JOHN DAVID BOOTY, along with JOHN SULLIVAN, JEFF DUGAN, GARRETT MILLS, Viktor the Viking and Vikings Cheerleaders, helped with the building process at a Habitat for Humanity home in Brooklyn Park. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with families who demonstrate a need and willingness to work with Habitat by helping to construct their own homes.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

QWEST IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS COMMUNITY TUESDAYS.

1616QWEST IS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS COMMUNITY TUESDAYS.

Vikings Cheerleaders, JOHN SULLIVAN, ERIC FRAMPTON, HUSAIN ABDULLAH, ROBERT FERGUSON and Viktor the Viking.

On Thanksgiving Day, BRYANT McKINNIE, along with GUS FREROTTE and his family and FRED EVANS and his family, visited The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center to help serve dessert and distribute coats to those in need.

BRYANT McKINNIE

For the second consecutive year, Defensive Line Coach KARL DUNBAR brought members of the defensive line to the Harbor Light Center to meet and greet the residents. The visit also promoted The Salvation Army’s “Ignore No More” campaign, addressing the growing number of Twin Cities residents’ need for assistance. Joining Coach Dunbar were Coach BRENDAN DALY, JAYME MITCHELL, FRED EVANS, OTIS GRIGSBY and LETROY GUION.

RAY EDWARDS partnered with The Salvation Army and KOOL 108 FM’s “Adopt-A-Family” program to bring Christmas gifts for the Kardor family.

“We are thankful for

the Vikings efforts to

embrace our neighbors in

need during this time of

increased economic strain.

Rather than turning away

from people in crises, the

team chooses to Ignore

No More.”

– Major Darryl Leedom,

Commander of the Twin

Cities Salvation Army

THE SALVATION ARMY COAT DRIVETHE SALVATION ARMY

SALVATION ARMY HARBOR LIGHT CENTER

IGNORE NO MORE CAMPAIGN ADOPT-A-FAMILY

In 2008, the Vikings partnered on several community events with The Salvation Army. Early in the Fall, players helped collect “Coats for Kids” at Kowalski’s Market in Eden Prairie. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the coats collected were distributed to The Salvation Army’s Hispanic Outreach Center in Minneapolis.

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Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year three fi nalists – MATT BIRK, KURT WARNER (represented by his wife Brenda Warner) and BRIAN DAWKINS, with CONNIE PAYTON and COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL. Warner was named the 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

2007 – MATT BIRK with his HIKE Scholars. 2008 – Growth physically, academically and socially.

“I’ve witnessed the impact Matt is

making on his HIKE Scholars. We

had them to Training Camp in 2007

to meet the team and the kids were

kind of shy, especially around these

huge football players. Then we

had them out to practice in October

of 2008 and they were so poised,

looking the players in the eye,

shaking their hands and standing up

straight. It was really moving to see

the impact that Matt is making.”

– Brad Madson, Vikings Executive

Director of Community Relations

MATT BIRK SELECTED FINALIST FOR NFL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Matt Birk has established himself as the Vikings community service leader over the past decade and in 2008 he was once again honored as the Vikings Community Man of the Year, the seventh consecutive season he’s earned the award. In addition, Matt was named one of three fi nalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

In 2002, Matt established the HIKE Foundation (Hope, Inspiration, Knowledge, Education) to help under served youth pursue their educational dreams. In 2006, Matt made a 12-year $500,000 commitment and added HIKE Scholars to his programming to provide children support as they go through the key transition points of elementary, middle, high school and college.

Matt also launched a youth football program, with support from an NFL Youth Football Fund matching grant, at Hope Academy located in an under served area of Minneapolis.

Aside from these initiatives, Matt also continued to serve as the Vikings United Way spokesman, Gridiron Geography spokesperson and consistently volunteers his time to assist with other teammates’ community efforts.

Matt’s passion to help others extends to the men who played in the NFL before him. Most recently, Matt made a $50,000 contribution to the Gridiron Greats, an organization that helps

former NFL players with disabilities who are struggling fi nancially and physically.

“We have benefi tted from the sacrifi ces made by the players of yesterday,” Matt said. “Sadly, the price paid by some of those who came before us has been costly. I’m going to fi ght for this cause. It’s in the best interests of everybody involved in this league.”

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Adrian Peterson’s community message is one of fi tness and participation. In 2008, Adrian established Adrian Peterson’s “All Day” Foundation. Organizations that have benefi ted from A.D.’s (his nickname since he was a youngster—short for All Day—because he had energy and was active All Day!) Foundation are Special Olympics Minnesota and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. In addition, in 2008 Adrian hosted the Adrian Peterson/Qwest Youth Football Clinic that was free for 150 area youth. Adrian has also been a great supporter of the Vikings outreach—including our You Made The Team Tour to Brainerd to participate in a school assembly of 2,000 youngsters for an NFL Play 60/American Heart Association “What Moves U” visit.

“We were so impressed with Adrian! He not only

made sure our youth football players had fun, but

learned how to play with the proper techniques. For

our kids to get to meet this superstar in person and

then get a gift bag from Qwest Communications fi lled

to the brim, was absolutely amazing!”

– Mary M. Tan, City of Brooklyn Park

Since arriving in Minnesota, ADRIAN PETERSON has immersed himself in the community. In just two years, he has established himself as a leader both on and off the fi eld. His efforts were recognized in 2008 by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness by receiving the “Lifetime Call to Service Award” prior to the November 30 Bears game from Dr. Edward Laskowski and Jerry Noyce of the Council.

A.D. hosted a Special Olympics Minnesota Punt, Pass and Kick Camp and enlisted the help of several of his teammates, including JEFF DUGAN and JIM KLEINSASSER.

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESSADRIAN PETERSON

ADRIAN PETERSON/QWEST YOUTH FOOTBALL CLINIC

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA

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“The 7-on-7 tournament was a good opportunity for our players to

get together and compete with some of the top programs in the state.

The life skills component reinforced what high school coaches stress

to their players. The tournament was a great chance for our team

to test their athletic skills and meet other players. The Vikings

organization did a great job with the event and it was a benefi t to the

many players involved from around the state. And, the New Orleans

trip was an experience our players will never forget!”

– Ray Tri, Head Coach, Eden Valley-Watkins High School

In 2008 the NFL selected the Vikings to host our fi rst ever 7-on -7 Tournament. Teams from throughout the state played for the right to compete at the National 7-on-7 NFL Tournament in New Orleans with all expenses picked up by the NFL. To qualify to play, every player and coach had to attend our Vikings/NFL Character Development and Life Skills session—part of the NFL’s nationwide High School Player Development (H.S.P.D.) program. The curriculum focuses on inspiring excellence in the classroom, community and on the playing fi eld.

Our 2008 winner was Eden Valley-Watkins, who defeated Minneapolis Washburn in overtime 48-41. In 2009, we look forward to expanding the tournament to afford more teams a chance to compete.

Teamwork is one of the life skills covered in the H.S.P.D. curriculum.

COACH CHILDRESS talked to Cooper High School players about perseverance and the joy of competing.

Eden Valley-Waktins defeated Minneapolis Washburn for the Championship.Teams from throughout the state got a chance to compete inside the Vikings Winter Park practice facility.

COACH CHILDRESS, along with tournament directors JEFF ROBINSON and BRAD MADSON, congratulated Coach Ray Tri and the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles as the winners of the Vikings inaugural High School Player Development 7-on-7 tournament.

VIKINGS INAUGURAL HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT 7-ON-7 TOURNAMENT