Eden Prairie,MN — Minnesota D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Inc.’s 2011 nomination for the Minnesota Vikings Community Quarterback, Jim Gilliam, received this year’s award. At a special presentation at the Viking’s Winter Park training facility, Coach Leslie Frazier awarded Jim an honorary football and a donation to Minnesota D.A.R.E., Inc. in his honor.

Jim Gilliam is the president of SUPERVALU’s Northern and Western region. He serves on the Minnesota D.A.R.E., Inc. Board of Directors and has been involved with D.A.R.E. for approximately six years. When he was appointed as the new president of the Northern Region of SUPERVALU, he was told about the region’s past involvement with D.A.R.E. He contacted Minnesota D.A.R.E. and asked to become personally involved. Jim was appointed to the Board and immediately began doing whatever his region could do to help out.

The Northern Region of SUPERVALU expanded their support by serving as the host for the annual gala and golf scramble. SUPERVALU/D.A.R.E. tractor trailers can be seen throughout Minnesota and have been in parades and special events statewide. Food has been donated not only to D.A.R.E. events, but also for law enforcement to distribute in areas where disasters have occurred in Minnesota. Children and families have felt the impact of their contributions, statewide, as the D.A.R.E. program reaches approximately 70,000 students annually. Jim states, “SUPERVAU is a community oriented company and we want to be there for our Minnesota families.” At a personal level, Jim added; “I support D.A.R.E. because of my family. Anything I can do to protect the health and safety of our children, I see as invaluable. Just imagine what a difference we could make in the world if we always put children first.”

Jim does not stop at D.A.R.E. He is also chairman of board for Second Harvest Heartland, is a former advisory board member for Immaculate Heart of Mary School and is involved with organizations like the United Way and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In addition, he is very active in coaching his children’s sports activities.

The Minnesota Vikings have also been a long-time supporter of Minnesota D.A.R.E. They have assisted in sponsoring training, grants, and tickets. Brad Madson, Executive Director of Community Relations of the Vikings stated, “We are thrilled to name SUPERVALU’s Jim Gilliam as our 2011 Minnesota Vikings Community Quarterback Award winner. I have had the pleasure of working with Jim on special D.A.R.E. projects and he is a most deserving recipient of this award.”

The NFL sponsors the Community Quarterback Award and each team makes the selections in their region to an outstanding community leader.

Kathi Ackerman, Executive Director of Minnesota D.A.R.E. made the nomination. “Jim is an incredible role model for our children. When he sees an opportunity to make a difference, he takes it!”

The Minnesota D.A.R.E. program is taught by specially trained, uniformed law enforcement officers. Approximately, 300 officers present the program in our Minnesota schools. For more information contact Minnesota D.A.R.E., Inc. at 1-800-990-DARE(3273) or MNDARE@aol.com