Below are some charity events and programs that are run through professional sports organizations. These events are usually linked with an already established charity/ foundation. The link between local or global charities and a professional sport organization creates a broader awareness of an issue. These events have to be well organized due to the participants involved and safety of the athletes that make special appearances.
National Football League:
Play It Smart- Youth program that provides educational programs and events to student athletes.
Pro Bowl Outreach- NFL charities present funding to Hawaiian nonprofit organizations every year during the Pro Bowl.
NFL Disaster Relief Fund - Responds to September 11th- provided $10 million
Super Bowl Outreach- Throughout the week of the Superbowl the NFL stages events assist the host city.
Andre Kirckland at Race For A Cure
Zack DeOsse at The Ronald McDonald House
National Basketball Association:
NBA Cares- Charity that provides donations and community service through UNICEF, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis
Read To Achieve- Program aimed at combating global illiteracy by hosting read-aloud events in arenas and community centers.
Nothing But Nets - Grassroot campaign which distributes insecticide-treated bed nets in Africa for each $10 donation
NBA Players in Africa for "Basketball Without Borders Fund"
Kelenna Azubuike and Thunder at a “Rescue Recess Event” sponsored by NBA Cares
Major League Baseball:
FanFest- 40 baseball-themed attraction event that provides fans a chance to experience being a MLB player.
Baseball Tomorrow Fund - Funds programs, fields and equipment purchases for youth baseball
Breaking Barriers - Events that teach children the value and traits they need to deal with barriers and challenges in their lives

Matt Beise helping with local exercise and out-reach events

Paul Konerko helping at Habitat for Humanity
National Hockey League:
Hockey Fights Cancer - Charity for national and local cancer research institutions
Hockey's All-Star Kids - Foundation that links the hockey community with young victims of cancer and other diseases
Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation - Charity contributes financial resources to non-profit organizations that benefit children’s health, education and inner-city services
Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month is in October. Clubs will wear logos on their helmets. Garth Brooks at Teammates for Kids event
Related Links:
Below is a link to a video recap of FanFest in 2007:
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A//a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/2007/open/as07/preview/070807_make_a_wish_400.wmv&pid=gen_video&cid=mlb&v=2&mType=w&urlstr=&mUrl=&type=v_free&_mp=1