Our goal to become a championship organization extends far beyond the boundaries of a football field and transcends into the Minnesota community. The Minnesota Vikings ownership and organization share a passion and commitment to making a positive difference in the community. As one of the most prominent organizations in Minnesota, we use our influence to continue to make a strong and direct impact throughout the state.

The Vikings have a tremendous tradition of civic involvement. Each year our players, coaches and staff volunteer countless hours of their time to a wide range of nonprofit organizations. The Vikings also give generously to numerous charitable causes. The Vikings Children’s Fund (VCF) has donated nearly $8 million since its inception in 1978, including over $4.5 million to the University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics. Our devotion to giving continued in 2007 with the introduction of a new initiative called “Tackling Influenza,” a community-based program aimed at increasing childhood immunization. It is these types of programs and the good people working to implement them that will help us make a difference.

On behalf of our family and the entire ownership group, we are proud to be leading the Minnesota Vikings organization. We will continue to be relentless in our efforts to make a positive impact on the quality of life in our community and on the lives of Minnesotans. Please enjoy reading about the wonderful ways the Minnesota Vikings have touched our community this past year. Thank you for your support...You Made The Team!

Sincerely,

Zygi Wilf Mark WilfOwner/Chairman Owner/ President

TM

Mark WilfZygi Wilf

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“A good athlete, a professional athlete, believes that if you just keep pounding away at it then something good is going to happen. That’s the message that the Vikings players delivered today and it makes the kids feel good when they hear that. There’s the element that every day is such a tough day for these kids and that somebody that they think is famous would take time out of their day to hang out with them makes them feel better.”

— Meg Katzman Ronald McDonald House

“What better call can you get in an afternoon but from the owner of the Minnesota Vikings asking ‘How can we help?’ It is sometimes hard for nonprofits always feeling they are knocking on doors hoping for help - how refreshing to get pre-emptive action. We so appreciate the Vikings faith in our work.”

— Major Paul FleemanThe Salvation Army Twin Cities

“The Vikings have helped Make-A-Wish bring joy to so many children throughout the state. We are honored to be a charity the Vikings support. Their players, coaches and administration go above and beyond in creating magical experiences for children with life-threatening medical conditions.”

— Tom McKinneyMake-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota

“It’s not every day a Minnesota Viking football player walks into your school classroom and talks about the importance of reading. The Vikings support of Qwest’s “Readers for Life” program inspired kids across the state to love learning.”

— John StanochQwest Minnesota

“I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the AWESOME autographed items that you donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association! As you know, the items will be distributed among our outlying districts for various fundraisers. These items will definitely bring in top dollar! We appreciate all that the Minnesota Vikings family is always doing for us in our life-saving mission.”

— Trendy StanchfieldMuscular Dystrophy Association

Vikings Children’s Fund ................................. 2-5Playground Build ........................................... 6-7Coach Childress – Special Guests ......................8Community Tuesday .....................................9-17Youth Football .............................................18-20Cheerleaders and Viktor the Viking .................21Important Initiatives ........................................22Heroes Day ......................................................23Vikings Women’s Organization .........................24Man of the Year – Matt Birk ..............................25Volunteer Grants .............................................26Gridiron Gallop ............................................... 27Community Tour/Board of Advisors .................28Donation Procedure .........................................29

We give thanks and photo credit to Craig Dirkes, Scott Erdahl, Kimberly Fields, Rick Kolodziej, Brad Madson, Craig Odegard, Lew Wurdeman, and Mike Wobschall.

TABle OF COnTenTS

More community quotes throughout this report...

WHAT THE COMMUNITY SAYS ABOUT THE VIKINGS...

Adrian Peterson and Tony Richardson

“Every year, it’s a tradition for Pro Bowlers to come visit the kids (at Kapi’olani Medical Center). Adrian Peterson, Tony Richardson, Kevin Williams, and Pat Williams all took time out of their day to make the trip. Not a single player from another team made it, and four of them from your team made it. It was really impressive and very much appreciated by both the kids and the staff.”

– espn.com message board

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On-field results vary from year to year for the Vikings, but one thing that is constant is the organization’s steadfast commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of children.

In light of the organization’s commitment to community, the Vikings Children’s Fund (VCF) was established in 1978 and has since raised nearly $8 million to give back to those in need. The VCF is a means for Vikings players, coaches, cheerleaders, staff and their families to focus their community support to help children.

This year the VCF donated $170,000 to the University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics, increasing the total amount donated to $4.5 million.

To learn more about the VCF – or to make a donation – please contact Patrick Leopold at (952) 828-6500. If your charitable organization is interested in applying for a VCF grant, log on to www.vikings.com to download a grant application form. Grant applications for VCF Fall awards should be mailed by the end of March each year to:

Patrick LeopoldMinnesota Vikings9520 Viking Driveeden Prairie, Mn 55344

The Vikings and the University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics partnered to launch a community-based health program called “Tackling Influenza” in 2007. Funded by a three-year, $240,000 grant from the Vikings Children’s Fund, this new program is focused on increasing childhood immunization.

Joining Mark Wilf and Ben and Abby Leber to launch “Tackling Influenza” were offensive lineman Anthony Herrera, Viktor the Viking and Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. Also, Dr. Joseph Neglia, Interim Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, and other leadership of the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview were present at the event.

“On behalf of the Vikings, I’d like to personally thank the University of Minnesota and the Department of Pediatrics for partnering with the Vikings,” Wilf said. “Family and children are an important part of what we’re about as an organization and we have a long history at the Vikings of teaming with the University of Minnesota to make a difference in Minnesota. It’s a partnership we’re very proud of and we look forward to continuing it for a long time.”

Anthony Herrera, Ryan Cook, Brian Daniels and Brian Robison

A TRADITION OF GIVING

Abby and Ben leber

Ben leber and Mark Wilf

TACKLING INFLUENZA

2007 VIKINGS CHILDREN’S FUND GRANTS(A portion of the recipients are listed below)

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Each year Vikings players visit the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview. This past season, Ben and Abby Leber led the visits of players, wives and girlfriends. While the idea is to give a break in the day to children facing life challenges, our players draw inspiration from each child they visit.

A.C.E.S. – Athletes Committed to Educating StudentsAfrican American Adoption AgencyAin Dah Yung (Our Home) CenterAmerican Heart AssociationAnimal Humane SocietyAsian American Journalist Association of MNBecker High SchoolBoy Scouts of America – North Star CouncilBoys & Girls Clubs of the Twin CitiesBuffalo Lake Hector High SchoolCenter For Family UnityCheerful GiversChildren’s Home Society & Family ServicesChrysalisCommunity Violence Intervention CenterCornerstoneDiversity ConnectionFamilyMeansFisher HouseFraserGirl Scout Council of Greater MinneapolisGirl Scout Troop 2112 FSCSGlencoe-Silver Lake High SchoolGreater Minneapolis Crisis NurseryGreater Twin Cities United WayJabbok Family ServicesJunior Achievement of the Upper MidwestKaBOOM!Kids ‘n KinshipKinship Partners, Inc. Lundstrum Center for the Performing ArtsMake-A-Wish Foundation of MinnesotaMaple Grove High SchoolMercy & United Hospitals FoundationMetropolitan State University FoundationMilitary Veterans Family Assistance FundMinneapolis North Community High SchoolMinnesota Council of NonprofitsMinnesota D.A.R.E.Minnesota Football Coaches AssociationMiracles of Mitch FoundationMN Teen ChallengeMosaic Youth CenterNeighborhood HouseNormandale Community CollegeNorthfield High SchoolPage Education FoundationParenting With PurposePATH MinnesotaPeace FoundationPierz High SchoolRonald McDonald HouseSartell-St. Stephen High SchoolSave Our ChildrenSmile NetworkSpecial Olympics MinnesotaSpecial School District #1St. Croix Lutheran High SchoolSt. John’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Joseph’s Home for Children

VIKINGS VICTORY HOSPITAL VISITS

Dontarrious Thomas, Ben leber, Viktor the Viking, Vinny Ciurciu, Chad Greenway and Mike Doss

Heath Farwell and Ben leber

Spencer Johnson

One of the organizations that received VCF funding in 2007 was A.C.E.S. (Athletes Committed to Educating Students). Spencer Johnson, Conrad Bolston and Alex Guerrero, along with coaches Karl Dunbar and Derek Mason, visited Cityview Magnet School in Minneapolis for an A.C.E.S./American Heart Association “What Moves U” assembly. The after-school mentoring program promotes grade-appropriate skills in math, reading and writing through a series of sports-themed units.

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By nicole endres

When Sydney Scott was diagnosed with cancer at 13 weeks old, her parents, Mary and Kevin, were devastated.

The bad news kept coming. Sydney had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive type of blood cancer. About half of children with AML are cured, but a cure is less likely if the child is under a year old or has a high white cell count, which Sydney did. “It was all bad news,” Mary says.

After learning more about the standard protocol for treating AML in children, the Scotts didn’t like the odds it gave Sydney. They wanted another option.

A BETTER CHANCESoon they contacted the experts in the University of Minnesota’s world-renowned Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Since performing the world’s first successful bone marrow transplant in 1968, University physicians have been at the forefront of research to improve outcomes for children with cancer.

“We had a feeling they would approach this differently,” Mary says.

And they did. Pediatric oncologists John Wagner, M.D., and Brenda Weigel, M.D.—both members of the Department of Pediatrics faculty—offered Sydney a chance to participate in a clinical trial. Through this

study, Sydney would get the standard two rounds of chemotherapy, followed by an umbilical cord blood transplant with experimental mesenchymal stem cells.

Researchers believed these special stem cells would help the transplanted healthy cells “stick” in the bone marrow, improving the odds of a successful transplant—and Sydney’s survival.

Mary and Kevin decided to try the experimental therapy. “We took a leap of faith,” Mary says. “If the therapy improved Sydney’s odds at all, we wanted her to have it.”

WORLD’S FIRSTIn 2002, Sydney became the first in the world to receive these mesenchymal stem cells along with a cord blood transplant.

In the five years since, Sydney has done amazingly well—no relapses, no medications, and no special trips to the doctor’s office. “She beat every odd known to man,” Weigel says.

The Scotts are forever grateful for Sydney’s health and for the individualized treatment she received from Wagner and Weigel at the University of Minnesota.

“You say ‘thank you’ to someone who holds the door for you,” Mary says. “You say ‘thank you’ to someone who fills your water glass. ‘Thank you’ hardly seems like something you’d say to them … but there’s really no word for extreme gratitude. They’re our heroes.”

Families like Sydney’s are fortunate to benefit from the highly skilled pediatricians at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview, and breakthrough research in the Department of Pediatrics, which the Vikings Children’s Fund generously supports. To learn more about the department’s research, please call (612) 624-6900.

A LEADING-EDGE APPROACH FOR SYDNEY

Photos courtesy of Children’s Cancer Research Fund

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This annual event was held for the 13th time as Tony Richardson was joined by 15 teammates, including quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (pictured left), as well as Vikings alumni Carl Eller and Bob Lurtsema, Vikings cheerleaders and Viktor the Viking. The event was held at Andover Lanes with all funds raised donated to the Vikings Children’s Fund.

BOWL WITH THE VIKINGS

The 13th Annual Minnesota Vikings Arctic Blast Snowmobile Rally was held in February and once again raised thousands of dollars for the Vikings Children’s Fund. Participating in the event were current players Aundrae Allison, Brooks Bollinger and Chris Kluwe, Vikings alumni Pete Bercich, Carl Eller, Bud Grant, Paul Krause, Scott Studwell, Doug Sutherland and Stu Voigt, Vikings cheerleaders and staff, along with hundreds of dedicated Vikings fans.

ARCTIC BLAST

The 13th Annual Minnesota Vikings Ride For Life was held last summer and was attended by over 3,000 riders. The participants gathered in Hinckley, with all proceeds benefiting the VikingsChildren’s Fund.

RIDE FOR LIFE

The long-standing Vikings Children’s Fund Golf Tournament was held once again this past summer at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove. Participants included more than 40 current and former Vikings players, all of the coaches, team executives and the Vikings cheerleaders. Many on-course activities, along with food and beverages, were featured at the sold-out event.

The Vikings celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant being named the team’s head coach with an evening recognizing Grant’s lifetime achievements in athletics and outdoors. The dinner was held at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota campus and featured some of Grant’s closest friends, including former Viking Jim Marshall, close, personal friend Sid Hartman and legendary college basketball coach Bob Knight, as speakers.

The Vikings Children’s Fund is able to raise a large portion of its funds through fun, fan-oriented activities. The willingness of Vikings players, coaches, staff and executives to participate in these events along with the passion and charitable spirit of Vikings fans allow the VCF to remain generous in its commitment to benefiting children.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

VCF SPECIAL EVENTS

BUD GRANT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT DINNER

Brad Childress

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Children attending the American Indian/World Cultures Magnet School (A.I.M.S.) in St. Paul now have a new playground to enjoy thanks to the efforts of over 200 volunteers, including Vikings excutives, staff, players and coaches as well as Toro employees. The project was completed on June 8 under sunny skies. It was conducted in collaboration with KaBOOM!, an organization that uses an innovative community-building model to bring together business and community interests to construct new playgrounds.

The new playground’s design is based on drawings submitted by children who attended the Design Day in April and will use the new structure, with total cost of the construction of the playground being split by the Vikings and our community partner Toro.

To complete the project, the entire Vikings team and the volunteers spread mulch, poured cement, laid sod, planted trees and painted a mural. The day concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the new playground.

VIKINGS, TORO TEAM-UP TO BUILD PLAYGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES

“I think it was a great opportunity for Toro to be a good corporate citizen. Our giving program is

full of beautifying and enhancing the outdoor environment, along

with helping our communities and making people better. We’ve really enjoyed working with the Vikings

and this is our second year of building a playground with them.

We hope to do many more in the future.”

– Sandy Meurlot, Toro Operations Vice President

Adrian Peterson

Pat WilliamsTony Richardson, Steve Hutchinson and Rick Spielman

Martin nance

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“I can’t remember a more exciting day in my six years here. The Vikings Playground Build shows what teamwork can accomplish.”

— Mary WeyandtWorld Cultures Magnet School Principal

Steve Poppen and Kevin Warren with St. Paul City Council President Kathy Lantry.

Coach Childress led the ribbon-cutting ceremony with St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen.

lester Bagley and his Vikings and Toro teammates.

“The number one question all week has been ‘Is today the day the Vikings are coming?’ The excitement has been in the air and you could just feel it. The kids have smiles on their faces,

so what a great thing to have the Vikings and Toro come in here

and help us out.”

— Brenda Peltier American Indian Magnet School

Principal

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Bryan’s Make-A-Wish request was to be the “Vikings Coach for a Day.” On September 29, Head Coach Brad Childress granted that wish and Bryan encouraged the team as he worked the play call sheet aside Coach Childress at the Vikings private practice. Later, Bryan inspired the team as Coach Childress had him end practice in the team huddle. The following day Bryan and his family enjoyed the Vikings-Packers matchup from the Metrodome field.

In 2007, Coach Childress continued his unique program of hosting at a private Saturday practice children who are facing special circumstances and individuals who have gone above and beyond to help others. Those selected ranged from families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, to local veterans of the Tuskegee Airmen, to a special student incentive program. After watching practice and gathering a hearty collection of autographs and pictures, each group spent time with Coach Childress as he provided insight into the next day’s game.

MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA

Ronald McDonald House Orono Middle School

Tuskegee Airmen

SATURDAY MEMORIES

Chester Taylor