PURCHASE, N.Y., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The votes are in and more than 500,000 fans have spoken - Drew Brees is the winner of a $100,000 Pepsi Refresh grant that will help New Orleans-based Hope Lodge provide rooms for cancer patients and their caregivers. This past week, fans had the opportunity to cast their votes at www.nfl.com/PepsiRefresh or via text by typing the player's first name to P-E-P-S-I (73774) for the idea they believed should be awarded a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware also campaigned for votes for their ideas to further projects important to them - Sanchez: building awareness around the signs of type 1 or juvenile diabetes and Ware: providing a safe environment for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Although their idea didn't receive the most votes, Pepsi is awarding each a $25,000 Refresh Project grant to help make a difference in America's communities.

"I'm thrilled that $100,000 will be going to the Hope Lodge, which will provide cancer patients and their caregiver's rooms through the Pepsi Refresh Project," said Brees. "We're all winners in this project. These grants will help make a real difference in our communities. Thanks to the fans who voted, the support has been outstanding for all of us."

The Pepsi Refresh Project is a groundbreaking effort to foster innovation in social good that will award more than $20 million this year to fund great ideas that improve America's communities. Throughout 2010, Pepsi will fund ideas that will move the world forward in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education. The Pepsi Refresh Project will feature significant social engagement around people and the power of ideas. Pepsi Refresh Project launched on Jan. 13 and exceeded expectations by receiving the monthly limit of 1,000 submissions in less than seven days. People are encouraged to submit their ideas and cast a vote for their favorite projects at www.refresheverything.com.

NFL Player arrangements made by NFL PLAYERS, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association.

SOURCE: Pepsi

Web site: http://www.pepsi.com/