Former Chicago Bear to read to Heartland Head Start students Monday

Posted on January 29, 2024

*Babatunde “Baba” Oshinowo, Jr., the former Bears defensive tackle, will be the special reader for the first Homeroom Huddle of the 2024 season. (Photo courtesy PNC Bank)*

BLOOMINGTON – A former Chicago Bear will make a virtual appearance at Heartland Head Start on Monday to read to students.

Babatunde “Baba” Oshinowo, Jr., the former Bears defensive tackle, will be the special reader for the first Homeroom Huddle of the 2024 season organized by the Bears and PNC Bank, according to Maria Pasic with PNC Region Corporate Communications.

The Homeroom Huddle is part of the Bears’ and the PNC Foundation’s program to boost children’s passion for learning and encourage literacy.

Since 2018, PNC and Bears volunteers have visited over 120 preschool classrooms around the Chicagoland and Central Illinois areas, said Pasic.

Heartland Head Start is a preschool that serves children and families in McLean and Livingston Counties. The school provides comprehensive child and family development programs to children aged infant to five years old, women receiving prenatal care, and their families.

Some of the recent Chicago Bear readers in Central Illinois have been Lucas Patrick and Nick Roach at Tazewell Headstart.

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