The Chicago Bears announced a $200,000 gift to charity groups assisting communities hit by the Aug. 11 storms as parts of Northwest Indiana and Chicago’s southern suburbs continue to grapple with widespread wind damage and lengthy power outages.
Relief funds directed to local agencies
The NFL team said it would split the donation evenly between two Catholic Charities organizations: $100,000 to the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary and $100,000 to the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Diocese of Gary serves parishes and residents across portions of Lake and Porter counties, areas that remain among the hardest hit by the storm.
"Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary has been responding to local needs from day one," said Robert J. McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary, in the Bears' news release. "The support from the Bears and many other partners will help elevate efforts to reach the most vulnerable in our communities."
Storm aftermath and ongoing needs
Utility crews and local officials are still restoring service more than a week after the derecho swept through the region. The storm left thousands of homes and businesses without electricity; according to state tallies, more than 33,000 customers across Northwest Indiana remained without power 11 days after the event. Several hundred residents in Hammond were still without electricity, and neighboring Gary reported thousands of customers in the dark.
Indiana has identified at least seven deaths connected to the storm, which also produced flooding in parts of Central Indiana. Local relief groups have reported ongoing needs for food, shelter, cleanup assistance and support for residents with special medical needs.
Donation context amid stadium relocation talks
The Bears' contribution arrives days after team chair George H. McCaskey confirmed the organization is "moving forward" with plans for a stadium in Hammond. Team president Kevin Warren has described the project as the Bears' "sole focus." The proposed move has sparked debate across the region because public funds and new local taxes would be used to support construction and infrastructure.
State and local proposals tied to the project include potential taxes that would help pay for the stadium and surrounding development. Estimates cited by state lawmakers indicate a proposed food and beverage tax could generate between $12 million and $18 million annually, while a proposed hotel tax might raise about $5.4 million a year. Proponents argue these revenues could support services and spur local business activity as fans patronize area restaurants, bars and hotels.
But some economists remain skeptical that public investment in sports facilities yields meaningful long-term economic benefits. Critics contend that stadiums often shift existing spending rather than create significant new economic activity and that the public risks shouldering costs that private development would otherwise absorb.
How the Bears donation will be distributed
The team’s announcement did not lay out detailed spending plans beyond naming the two Catholic Charities organizations as recipients. Local leaders say the money will be used to support immediate relief and outreach for vulnerable residents.
- Recipient breakdown: $100,000 to Diocese of Gary Catholic Charities; $100,000 to Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Charities.
- Primary uses: Emergency food, shelter, casework and support for those affected by power outages and storm damage (as directed by the charities).
- Geographic focus: Northwest Indiana communities such as Hammond and Gary, and parts of Chicago’s southern suburbs.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Donation total | $200,000 |
| Split | $100,000 / $100,000 |
| Customers without power (NW Indiana) | 33,000+ |
| Storm-related deaths in Indiana | 7 |
Local reaction and next steps
Bishop McClory praised the Bears and other partners for supporting relief work. Local officials and relief organizations have emphasized that donations — both large and small — remain vital as crews continue recovery and as families cope with damaged homes and prolonged outages.
Beyond immediate assistance, the broader conversation about a Bears stadium in Hammond is likely to continue. Lawmakers and county officials have pointed to potential tax revenue and increased commerce as reasons to back the project, while some economists and community advocates urge caution about long-term public commitments to sports facilities.
For residents seeking assistance, Catholic Charities and other local relief providers have been coordinating intake and distribution efforts. Officials have urged residents to consult official county and utility websites for the latest information on power restoration and to reach out to designated hotlines or charities for help with shelter, food or cleanup resources.
The Bears’ donation represents a tangible, short-term boost to relief work even as broader debates about public investment in a new stadium for Hammond continue to unfold.
