Crosstown charity

The Granato family, of Naperville, stops by the Naperville Blackout for Easter Seals crosstown charity game last fall with Theresa Forthofer, Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley Region president and CEO, left, and Chris Roy, of Naperville. Two members of the Granato family, Nora and Abby, use Easter Seals services. (Courtesy of Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley)

Administrators from Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools plan to present a check to representatives of the Semper Fi Fund on Friday as the two schools play each other in football after a fundraising campaign to benefit veterans. (Courtesy of Neuqua Valley High School)

Marching band members, veterans and first responders stand at attention before a Sept. 11, 2015, football game between Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools, when both teams raised money for the Semper Fi Fund. This year’s rivalry game Friday at Waubonsie will also be a fundraiser for the veterans charity. (Courtesy of Neuqua Valley High School)

PREVIOUS IMAGE

Image

NEXT IMAGE

By Marie Wilson (mwilson@dailyherald.com)

There’s a feeling in the air, and maybe a bit of a chill, too.

There’s a marching band on the field, the national anthem giving way to two teams ready to duke it out.

Maybe it’s Wheaton Warrenville South vs. Wheaton North, or Glenbard East against Glenbard West, or Willowbrook playing Addison Trail.

It’s a rivalry game, and it’s one of the highlights of the high school football season for players, families and fans.

But during at least two rivalry games, there’s another reason for high energy, too — another current of purpose to the games pitting Neuqua Valley against Waubonsie Valley and Naperville Central against Naperville North.

It’s something Naperville values as much as sports — if not more. Charity is an element of these crosstown games as teams raise money for two community causes.

Veterans and children with disabilities benefit from funds raised through T-shirt sales and sponsorships around these two gridiron classics — Waubonsie hosting Neuqua at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Naperville Central hosting Naperville North on Oct. 7.

Here’s how these teams incorporate philanthropy to strengthen the impact of their fight for bragging rights ...