Teamsters, Former Bears Linebacker Tackling Childhood Obesity

Otis Wilson Charitable Association Improving Health, Fitness for Chicago Youth

Otis Wilson (center) visits President John T. Coli (left) and Vice President Terrence J. Hancock during the Joint Council 25 delegates meeting on Jan. 10.

With childhood obesity on the rise, the Teamsters have teamed up with a former Chicago Bears superstar to tackle the problem head-on.

Celebrated NFL veteran linebacker Otis Wilson founded his youth outreach program, the Otis Wilson Charitable Association, in 1995. The Chicago-based organization works to improve health, fitness and nutrition education in area schools and after-school programs. Since its inception, the OWCA has worked with more than 10,000 children.

“My goal is to make myself better and to put something toward our young people to make them better because they need to understand in times like these, you have options,” said Wilson, who helped anchor the vaunted 1985 Super Bowl-champion Bears defense. “You have to stay healthy and you have to educate yourself.

“When I look around, I see times are hard, but they’re still good—and by that I mean there are a lot of good people out there,” Wilson said. “There are people with good hearts who are willing to make the sacrifice to make our young people better.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. In 2008, more than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.

Teamsters Joint Council 25 President John T. Coli, Vice President Terrence J. Hancock, Recording Secretary Brian Meidel and Trustee Michael L. Yauger serve on the OWCA’s Executive Board, along with Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, current Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and several other Chicago-area business, sports and labor leaders.

“The Teamsters are committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Otis Wilson to support his organization and its accompanying charity events,” Coli said. “It is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts. We recognize how important young people are to the continued success and growth of our city and our union, and we are proud to champion this cause alongside a champion like Otis Wilson.”

The OWCA’s first major fundraiser of the year is the Big Game Celebration on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, at Excalibur Nightclub, 632 N. Dearborn St. in Chicago. The Joint Council 25 Executive Board has pledged to match up to $7,500 for affiliated local unions who donate to the event.

Wilson was on-hand during the Jan. 10 Joint Council 25 delegates meeting at Teamster City, where he thanked the Joint Council and its affiliates for their continued support of his organization.

“I sincerely want to thank John Coli, Mick Yauger and everyone in the Teamsters. I truly cannot thank you all enough for being part of the team to help me make a difference in peoples’ lives,” Wilson said. “With your help and continued support, we will make a difference.”

Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and northwest Indiana.

Download PDF

LATEST NEWS »