2015-16 jaguars community report

2015-16 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
PRESENTED BY
Navy family with Mr. Khan
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
I am so proud to be a part of Jacksonville’s
wonderful story! This city and all of its
surrounding communities are incredible
places to live, work and raise a family, and
the entire Jaguars family is so much a part
of every fabric in the community.
The Northeast Florida/South Georgia area supports and
has created a vibrant corporate community and extensive Navy and other military installations. Jacksonville
is home to one of the most attractive retirement locations for civilian and veteran retirees alike, and that’s a
great claim for all of us to make.
My own story with Jacksonville began more than 25
years ago at the Port of Jacksonville working with automobile companies importing their cars and trucks to the
United States. Today, as the owner of your Jacksonville
Jaguars, I am privileged to share in the story of Jacksonville’s progress.
As you read through these pages in our community
report, you will find stories of six incredible individuals
who represent what makes our city so great - perseverance against tough odds, courage, hard work and determination, No easy task for any of us, but all the harder
when life throws you into difficult situations.
The Jaguars Foundation works closely with our partners
and donors who help support local issues and programs
that are important to our community’s progress and
well-being. We work diligently to help ensure that each
home, child, veteran and organization has the necessary
tools and resources to aid in their advancement. At the
core of the Jaguars’ mission, it is our responsibility to
strive for excellence on the football field and in the
“field of life.”
Along with the entire Jaguars organization and Florida
Blue - the Jaguars’ official community partner - and all
of our nonprofit, corporate and individual partners, we
thank you for sharing in the Jaguars’ and Jacksonville’s
story. Together, we continue to create the wonderful
story of this great community!
Sincerely,
Shad Khan
left: Mark Lamping, Jaguars President
Shad Khan, Jaguars Owner
Peter Racine, Jaugars Foundation President
Nicole Gray
Being brave in the face of despair
only begins to describe my life. How
can a person who served honorably
in both the United States Navy and
Army for a total of 14 years become a
homeless veteran?
Well, my reality became exactly that.
Military Support
For me, despair began at a young
age, growing up in Chicago with
parents who were drug addicts.
I remember my childhood like it
was yesterday- waking up every
morning in a dark and unstable
home environment, going to bed
hungry every night and seeing
my parents in a state that no
child should have to witness at
that age was the life I was dealt.
I might not have described myself as brave back then,
but those years of distress led to me leaving home at
the age of 17, adopting a self-sufficiency I was not
ready for. At that time, I had to choose between my
family or saving my own life and I chose my life.
Nicole’s church family at Mt. Zion
Missionary Baptist Church
left to right : 1st Lady Steve
Norris, Pastor Samuel Norris,
Nicole Gray, Sister Mamie Johnson
and Deacon Sammie Cosby
When I decided to enlist in the military, my father, who
was a Vietnam vet, was dead-set against it. Although I
was terrified, I knew this was my opportunity to create
a new life for myself- a life in which I could wake up
and not feel as though I was being chained down, and
be able to see the light to my future.
As I planted my feet on the Navy grounds,
an overwhelming feeling came over me
and for the first time in my life I felt a
sense of purpose and knew right then I
was right where I needed to be. This was
God’s plan for me. However, while life in
active duty began to feel normal, during
that time both my mother and father died
and my husband told me he was looking
to get a divorce. Life sure had a way of
knocking me down but every time I would
pick myself back up. Having gone through
military training, I was better equipped
to deal with anything that came my way.
Military training gave me the strength,
discipline, determination and bravery I
needed to keep pushing forward.
Transitioning into civilian life did not
come easy. One thing that the military
gave me was security and although they
train you to go in, I wasn’t prepared to
come back out. I lost my initial job after a
month and found myself without a stable
income for the first time since I joined the
military. Unable to find fulltime employment and desperate not to fail, I packed
up all that I could carry and drove to
Jacksonville, Florida to stay with a friend
until I could get back on my feet. My stay
turned out to be temporary, and before
long I was living and surviving in my car.
For three months, living in the solitude of my car, I
would find a safe place to park, lock my doors and just
pray for daylight. Nights were cold and terrifying, and
I eventually lost all bearings. I experienced first-hand
how solitude is effective as a torture tactic. But every
morning I would get up and continue my job search.
After what seemed like a lifetime, I found out about the
Jacksonville Veterans Resource and Reintegration Center
at City Hall. There, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program became my life-line. I was immediately
assessed by a veterans outreach representative and was
provided with the guidelines of the job focused program. The team provided me with a myriad of services
such as career counseling, resume assistance, soft skills
training and educational information. I began the process of putting the pieces of my life back together.
Less than a month later, I was offered a position as the
director of housekeeping at an assisted living facility.
A rush of joy filled my heart knowing God had answered
my prayers. Today, as a leader of my department, having
a permanent place to live, and an unbelievable support
system at my church, I am enjoying life again. I have
also started my own non-profit, “Got Your 6”, in hopes
to give other women veterans the same opportunity
that the Jacksonville Veterans Reintegration Program
gave me.
Looking back, bravery is a term I like to use because for
me, bravery is having the courage to not allow anything
to stop you. Once you know your path, you fight until
you reach the finish line. I have had battles all along
the way, whether it was on the battlefield or in my personal life, but I have always tried to be brave, knowing
there is always a “light at the end of the tunnel” if you
keep trying.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
The Khan family and the
Jaguars have made a
$1 million commitment
over five years to the City of
Jacksonville to support
veterans and active-duty
service members transitioning to civilian life.
Along with the opening of
the Jacksonville Veterans
Resource and Reintegration Center at City Hall,
the Foundation launched
the Jacksonville Military
Veterans Community Partnership Grants program,
which distributes grants to
organizations that support
service members, veterans,
and their families.
Honoring Our Troops
In-game recognition
In partnership with UPS and the USO, the
Foundation provides more than 100 tickets
each home game to local families with children
who have a parent on deployment. With their
game day ticket, they also receive a T-shirt and
lunch as part of their game day experience. In
addition, the team provides 1600 discounted
tickets to military veterans and their families.
For the Military Appreciation Game, more than
7,000 complimentary tickets are distributed.
We honor our military men and women at every
Jaguars home game. Active military and veterans
participate in pregame and halftime activities
during the Salute to Service game. Also at every
game, the Jaguars present a Hometown Hero
video tribute and honor the Kangaroo Express
Veteran of the Game. An active member of the
military who has been recently recognized for an
act of valor or who has recently returned from
deployment rings the Jaguars bell four times to
usher in the 4th quarter, which starts the military tribute to thank all members of our military,
active and retired for their service.
Military Support
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
At the age of five, I
lost my best friend,
my idol and my father
all at once. His loss
came unexpectedly
and just like that he
was gone.
RJ Higgins
Health & Fitness
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I came home from
school and my mother sat my brother, sister and me down with a
terrified look on her face. As she muttered the words, I couldn’t
believe what I was hearing. The man I looked up to for everything
was gone and never coming back? Why did this happen? A million
questions rattled through my mind and the only thing I could do
was crawl in my shell and hope that the pain would pass.
I attended my first Jaguars Play 60 meeting
where they encouraged us to live healthier
lives by incorporating 60 minutes of activity
a day in hopes of tackling childhood obesity.
Looking around, kids were of all different
shapes and sizes, and all there for different reasons. I wanted to commit to being
challenged physically. The Jaguars Play 60
program had the answer for me: the First
Coast Kid’s Triathlon, and that’s when I took
on the challenge of my first race at the age
of six.
My mother, who was and is an amazingly strong woman,
comforted us and kept our focus on our studies and
after school activities. She enrolled us in The Bridge of
Northeast Florida, an after-school and summer program
that kept me focused on my academics and made sure I
always did my homework.
I was assigned a mentor on the first day. His name was
Mr. Tom. Mr. Tom took me in as if I were his own child.
He had a way of cheering me up and brightening my
day. We loved to talk sports and especially about Jackie
Robinson, my all-time favorite athlete. That’s when Mr.
Tom brought up the Jaguars Play 60 program, which
revolved around sports, health and education.
Mr. Tom, RJ’s mentor at The
Bridge of Northeast Florida
I had never heard of a triathlon
and honestly, I was just a beginner
swimmer and didn’t have a racing
bike. But to my surprise, the
Jaguars Foundation donated a bike
to each of us so we could compete
at a higher level.
The First Coast Kid’s Triathlon set up training grounds
for us at the YMCA two months out from the race. The
YMCA’s training was not easy when having to juggle
school at the same time, but I knew it was a goal I
wanted to achieve. Anytime I felt like quitting, I would
think of my dad and his courage to strengthen me.
On the day of the race, as a junior level athlete at the
time, I swam 100 yards, biked 3 miles, and ran a half a
mile. Now, at the age of 13, I competed in my seventh
First Coast Kids triathlon, as a senior level athlete,
swimming 200 yards, biking 6 miles, and running 1
mile. EverBank Field was the site for this year’s course
and finishing on the field with our faces on the world’s
largest video boards was an incredible experience that I
will never forget! I wish my dad would have been there
to see me finish in the top 100 out of 3,000 kids. I
know he would have been proud of me. He will always
be the light in my life and my inspiration to always
keep pushing forward.
The Bridge has also been an incredible
guide for me in keeping my focus on my
goals and my future. As a teenager now, I
have accomplished more than I could have
imagined at my age and feel prepared to
take on the next chapter of my life thanks
to the great people that I have been
surrounded by at The Bridge of Northeast
Florida.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
THE PLAYERS Center for
Child Health at Wolfson
Children’s Hospital and the
Jaguars Foundation have
made a major commitment
to improve the health and
well-being of our children
and youth. This has included providing more than
$1 million in fitness and
nutrition grants to tackle
childhood obesity.
The First Coast Kids Triathlon is the largest kids
triathlon in the country
with over 1,800 participants each year. After
the partnership with the
Jaguars Foundation, the
NFL endorsed the triathlon,
allowing the program to
expand to many other NFL
communities across the
country.
Jaguars Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60
NFL Play 60 is a national youth health and
fitness campaign focused on increasing the
wellness of young fans by encouraging them
to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. The
Jaguars Foundation, THE PLAYERS Center for
Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, and
the American Heart Association partner with
local area non-profit organizations by providing
Play 60 grants to encourage today’s youth to
live healthier, more active lives. The Play 60
Challenge engages more than 3,000 sixth-grade
students annually through Jacksonville and the
surrounding counties to be physically active and
make healthy eating choices.
The Jaguars also partner with the National Dairy
Council, the NFL, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help encourage today’s youth to lead
healthier lives through the Fuel Up to Play 60 inschool nutrition and physical activity program.
In Florida, 2.5 million students in 3,100 schools
participate in Fuel Up to Play 60.
Hometown Huddle
For more than 30 years, the NFL and the United
Way have partnered to help build stronger,
healthier communities. Each fall, the Jaguars
partner with the United Way of Northeast Florida
for a hands-on community service project
called Hometown Huddle. Children from United
Way programs in the Jacksonville area have a
chance to spend time with their favorite Jaguars
players as they participate in fitness activities
and community service projects to show the
importance of healthy living and giving back to
the community.
Health & Fitness
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
There comes a time in
your life when you hit
a crossroad and have to
decide which path you
are going to choose. I
reached this crossroad
at the age of 14.
Sanitra Fain
Education & Goals
When I look back now, it’s hard to believe that I’m the
same person. At 14, I was a good student with supportive
parents, but people only knew me as shy and introverted,
which held me back from many things I wanted to be a
part of.
My mother, who I looked up to for
just about everything, discovered
Journey into Womanhood, a program
by Empowerment Resources designed
to help young girls determine their
path and give them the resources to
begin embarking on their own personal journey, and ever since my life
has never been the same.
My transformation began from the first moment I met
Ms. Elexia Coleman-Moss, the director. Ms. Elexia is one
of those people who walks into a room and captures
the attention of every individual there. When she spoke,
there was a magnetic force that even I couldn’t escape
from. Her impactful words and vision of
success inspired and motivated me in ways I never felt
before.
Captivated by her words, I told myself that I needed
to be a part of this, I needed to follow her lead and
I needed to be around like-minded young women to
jump-start my future. At that moment, I made the
decision that I wanted to begin my journey into womanhood and from that day forward, Mrs. Coleman-Moss
became my mentor and my inspiration towards finding
my purpose.
The program taught young girls to be bold, to be ourselves and to not be afraid to put ourselves out there,
which in all honesty was the exact opposite of who I
was! Going from not participating in anything to participating in everything, I was now taking college tours,
going to seminars, taking SAT/ACT prep courses, participating in the Jaguars Foundation Honor Rows program
and volunteering; all with a personal vision to prepare
myself for college.
As a Jaguars Foundation Honor Rows participant
through Empowerment Resources, I was eligible to apply for a Jaguars Foundation/University of North Florida
“Community Scholar” four-year college scholarship. I
was chosen as one of two recipients for the scholarship
that year. The Jacksonville Jaguars invited me to EverBank Field for the Jaguars vs. Buccaneers game, where
I was presented with my UNF scholarship on the field in
front of thousands of fans. This was a thrill for me and
my family, but more important, it was my defining moment showing how far I had come as a young woman.
After receiving my Bachelors in Psychology from UNF,
I continued my education at FSU where I received my
Masters in Social Work. Today, I am a medical social
worker for patients on dialysis. As I look back to that
14 year old girl and where I am now; I thank my mom
and dad for their guidance, Ms. Elexia Coleman-Moss
and all of the wonderful people at Journey into Womanhood, without whom, I would not be where I am today.
Life is about the choices you make and having the right
people around you to help pave the way to your inner
happiness. As I continue into my ‘journey into womanhood,’ I can say that when life asks, “What’s next?,”
I now have the confidence to answer by searching for
the path that helps me continue to grow and live a
life of purpose.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
Honor Rows, presented
by “Alert Today, Alive
Tomorrow,” is a nationally
recognized program that
uses seats at Jaguars home
games as incentives for
youth to set and achieve
ambitious but realistic
goals in the areas of
academic improvement,
personal behavior, physical
fitness, and community
service. Honor Rows youth
also pledge to remain free
from illegal drugs, alcohol,
and tobacco. The Jaguars
Foundation partners with
40 Jacksonville-area
nonprofits to provide more
than 5,000 children with a
game day experience each
season. Approximately,
55,000 kids have participated in Honor Rows since
1995.
“Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow” is a campaign
in conjunction with the
Florida Department of
Transportation that is a
pedestrian and bicycle
safety initiative.
Education
& Goals
Andrew Jackson High School
Scholarships
Jaguars Owner, Shad Khan places a high priority
on education as a key foundation for success in
life. The Jaguars Foundation has adopted Andrew
Jackson High School, making a significant
investment in the students and staff including
an Honor Rows program, pep rallies, faculty and
staff functions, prom night, scholarships and
the Jaguars Reading Den. Each month during
the school year, as part of the PASS Program, the
Jaguars host 30 students from the school at the
Jaguars’ facility. During their visit, they have
a chance to meet professionals throughout the
organization, giving the students an opportunity
to see a variety of career paths they might want
to pursue when they go to college.
The Foundation continues to encourage scholastic achievement by funding scholarships through
the University of North Florida, Florida State
College at Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville
Public Education Fund. The Jaguars Foundation
has a $500,000 endowment at the University of
North Florida for eligible scholarship recipients,
as well as donating over $40,000 to the Jacksonville Public Education Fund in support of college
scholarships.
The Jaguars Foundation also sponsors City Year’s
supportive services at Matthew Gilbert Middle
School, the primary feeder school to Andrew
Jackson, to help students be high school-ready.
FOUNDATION
One Love Foundation
Empowerment Resources
In addition to the Foundation’s ongoing support
of local domestic violence shelters, including
Hubbard House, Betty Griffin House and Quigley
House, they have begun a partnership with the
One Love Foundation. Created to honor the memory of Yeardley Love, a college senior who was
beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend just weeks
short of graduation, One Love’s mission is to end
relationship violence. With their Escalation Workshops, they reach out to students and faculty
at high schools and colleges across the country.
Through a significant contribution from the Jaguars Foundation, it has become possible to offer
these workshops to all colleges, universities, and
high schools in the Jaguars market area.
Empowerment Resources is 1 out of the 40
nonprofits in the greater Jacksonville area that
participate in the Honor Rows program. Their
programs, such as Journey into Womanhood for
middle and high school girls, parenting education and life skills workshops positively impact
the entire family.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
I was diagnosed with breast cancer
November of 2010. At the time, I felt
the best I had ever felt in my life. I
had recently been certified to teach
Yoga, retired from the PGA Tour, and
had just arrived back in the states
from an amazing four month trip in
Southeast Asia.
Linda Altman
Women’s Health
All I could think about was my mother, who
had been diagnosed with breast cancer at
the age of 58 – I was the same age. My mom
only lived 2 years after being diagnosed,
and with that realization, fear set in wondering how many days, months, or years I
still had left.
My life partner and my sister were my biggest supporters. They reassured me that we were going to get
through this. I believed them and kept my faith. As a
performing artist, my partner put together a six-hour
track consisting of his original healing music, along
with my favorite affirmations and poems to play during
my double mastectomy surgery at Baptist Medical Center
Beaches.
After surgery, as you can imagine, I was in a great
amount of pain. I could not lift my arms and the discomfort was overwhelming. Thankfully, I was surrounded
by so much love and support, making my transition easier than expected. I healed very quickly, and within 3
weeks after my surgery I was teaching yoga once again.
My team of doctors at Baptist Hospital were amazed at
how quickly I had bounced back and began asking questions as to how. My discipline in meditation and yoga
that had been practicing years before being diagnosed,
gave me the balance and positive mindset that each
promotes, really giving me an advantage in preparing
me to deal with my illness.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
In seeing my progress, Baptist Hospital wanted to begin
offering yoga to their patients as they go through the
healing process and asked if I’d be willing to teach a
few classes a week at their facility. I was grateful to be
able to share my knowledge and strength to bring peace
and confidence to others who were fighting the same
fight. Before I knew it, I was teaching at Baptist, other
hospitals and facilities around town.
About a month after surgery, I found out I needed
chemotherapy. The thought of adding toxins to my body
was worrisome, but my oncologists reassured me that
the product they use is all-natural, one coming from the
bark of a tree and another from the fungus off of sheep
poo – I guess you can’t get more organic than that!
Every Saturday morning, Linda
Altman holds free yoga classes for
cancer patients and survivors at
In the Pink
The Reflection Room – A permanent memorial in honor of or
memory of someone with cancer.
Family members or individuals
can purchase a plank and paint a
mural symbolizing and celebrating
their life.
I knew through my teachings, I really had to change my
thinking on chemo. I could either think of it as toxins
going into my body or as little warriors going in and
killing the cancer cells. Knowing how powerful the mind
really is, I chose to be a warrior.
Before surgery the Baptist Breast Care Coordinator
referred me to a local non-profit organization unlike any
other in the country called In the Pink. Their boutique
helps men, women and children heal, cope and survive
the effects of cancer. One of the unique things that I
found was that In the Pink housed everything I needed
post surgery - all in one place. You can find post-surgery
garments, breast prosthetics, post-mastectomy bras,
lymphedema compression garments, wigs, scarves, head
covers and even skin care products for radiation and
chemotherapy patients.
These items, and Jeri Millard, the Founder of In the Pink
and a master prosthetic and lymphedema fitter, became
my lifesaver after being diagnosed with lymphedema a
couple months after my surgery. Jeri and her team really
understood my needs and provided me with the resources to smoothly transition back into the things I love to
do in life. They were truly amazing through it all.
Now, as a Yoga instructor at In the Pink, I am teaching
classes to cancer survivors, who I like to call “thrivers.”
One thing I always tell my students is “Loving and being kind to yourself is the greatest gift one can give.”
Baptist Health is the
regional leader in breast
health, offering comprehensive breast care with digital
screening mammograms
and advanced diagnostics, treatments including
minimally invasive options,
and innovations in reconstructive surgery. Regular
breast exams and screenings are important aspects
of a woman’s care. Their
screening and breast health
services are designed to be
convenient, comprehensive
and supportive.
In the Pink – In the Pink
opened it’s first location in
2009 in Jacksonville Beach,
Florida. The founder, Jeri
Millard, a two-time cancer
survivor, whose unique
vision blossomed and
has helped many cancer
patients and survivors
cope and transition back
into their everyday lives.
What makes In the Pink so
unique is their expertise
and the resources needed
to recover all in one place!
Women’s Health
NFL 101
J.A.G.Z. Event
The Jaguars, along with the Jaguars Women’s
Association (JWA) led by Joelle Caldwell, wife
of General Manager Dave Caldwell, and Michaela
Bradley, wife of Head Coach Gus Bradley, hold an
annual workshop for women at the stadium each
October. The Jaguars NFL 101 allows women to interact with Jaguars coaches and players to learn
the fundamentals of football. Each year the proceeds from the event benefit a local organization
that provides services for women to be checked
and treated for breast cancer, including Baptist
Health’s Hill Breast Center and In the Pink.
The JWA host a ‘Just Among Girlz’ event each
spring to benefit female pediatric cancer patients. This year 40 female patients from Wolfson
Children’s Hospital participated in the event
activities including dancing, makeup, painting,
manicures, and meeting Jaguars players and
Head Coach Gus Bradley. The event was created
to try and give them a day to feel great and to
spend with friends.
26.2 with Donna
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Jaguars are a proud supporter of the 26.2
With Donna National Marathon to Finish Breast
Cancer. This support includes being the
presenting sponsor of 26.2 with Donna 5K and
Family Fun Run, as well as helping to sponsor
400 Marathon High students that participate
in the half marathon. 26.2 with Donna is the
only national marathon to raise funds for
ground-breaking breast cancer research and
women living with breast cancer.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
in October, Jaguars coaches, players, and fans
all sport their pink gear. Zeta Tau Alpha also
distributes over 40,000 pink ribbons to fans as
they enter the gates during the Breast Cancer
Awareness game. During the pregame ceremony
and national anthem, breast cancer survivors
hold the American flag and large pink ribbon
across the football field in honor of thousands of
survivors in the Jacksonville community.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
Waking up at my grandmother’s house at the age of
36 as a single mother of three
is when life hit me and I knew
I needed a transformation.
Riquetta Wallace
Family & Home
All I could think about were
my children and their future.
As their mother, it was my
responsibility to be a
positive role model and give
them a life that prepares
them for success. How was
I to expect them to live
prosperous lives if I was not
exemplifying the same?
Left to right: Tori BenjaminDirector of Marketing for Ashley
Furniture HomeStores, Paul
Pugh - Sponsorships and Sports
Marketing for EverBank, Peter
Racine – President of the Jaguars
Foundation, Storm Johnson Jaguars running back, Carson
Tinker - Jaguars long snapper,
Wallace Family, Howard Fineman
CEO of the Jacksonville and
Brunswick Ashley Furniture
HomeStores, and
Mary Kay O’Rourke – President
and CEO of HabiJax.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
I dreamt of giving them a life and a home filled with
peace and love, a home where they could feel safe and
go to bed at night without a worry. The more I played
out this scenario in my mind, the more it became my focus and determination, no matter how long the journey.
Though I worked hard, money was always tight and often not there at all. My credit was poor and doors were
closed in my face, as banks said no to a mortgage loan.
Reaching my goal seemed light years away. The easiest
thing for me to do at this point was to quit, but every
day when I saw my children’s faces, I knew I needed to
stay focused on my goal of owning my own home.
In coping with everything, I began volunteering with
HabiJax, an organization whose mission is to rebuild
communities and give low-income families a chance
to purchase an affordable home. Although the answer
was right in front of me, I feared my credit score was
too low to ever be approved. However, after a year of
volunteering, the HabiJax staff encouraged me to look
into their program.
Fear can be all-consuming; fear of the unknown, fear
that my children would never have the life I wanted
for them. But this time, determined to keep taking the
steps necessary to reach my goal, I knew I couldn’t allow fear to control me anymore. I decided I would go to
a HabiJax meeting, just to check it out, even if nothing
came of it. At this point, I had nothing to lose.
The Wallace family received their
key and moved into their brand
new home July 8, 2015
After months of going through the process, the unthinkable happened; I was approved! I cried tears of
joy that I could now build a home for my family. My
children would each have a room to make their own
and a backyard to explore their wild imaginations. With
excitement, we drove past our property each week and
watched the carpenters along with volunteers build our
dream home; just as I was doing in my own volunteering to help others get into their homes!
Today, I am still volunteering with HabiJax as a
thank-you to the organization for changing my life.
My children now have a stable and safe home, no
longer moving from apartment to apartment or staying
with relatives. Building a home that they can always
look back on and remember the countless family
memories we created together, was all that I have
wanted for them.
Just when I thought I had received the greatest gift,
the Jacksonville Jaguars and EverBank surprised me in
letting me know that they had partnered with Ashley
Furniture to furnish my entire home! I was at loss for
words and crying tears of joy once again. After all these
years of instability, I couldn’t believe everything was
beginning to fall into place for my family. We are forever grateful to HabiJax for making it all possible, to the
Jaguars and EverBank for sponsoring our new home and
securing furnishing from Ashley Furniture to provide
my family with the comfort we’ve always longed for. We
now have a place to call home.
The Jaguars and EverBank
annually partner to sponsor
a HabiJax home together.
This year’s home is the
19th sponsored home
through this partnership. In
addition, Everbank supports
other HabiJax homes in the
First Coast area.
Jacksonville
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Bed giveaways
The Jaguars continue to team up with Ashley
Furniture HomeStore and A Hope to Dream to
participate in deliveries and donate free beds
to local kids in need. Donations included 100
beds at the third annual Stadium Sleepover at
Everbank Field, as well as 100 additional beds
at the inaugural Stadium Sleepover at Wembley
Stadium in London. With the Jaguars among the
top teams in the NFL for sacks, “Hit the Sack,”
the Jaguars/Ashley program that donates a bed
for every sack made during the season, generated 53 additional beds, totaling more than 350
free beds given by the Jacksonville area Ashley
Furniture HomeStores to First Coast children
since the program began.
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Taste of the Jaguars &
Holiday Food Distribution
Modeled after the national Taste of the NFL held
every year at the Super Bowl host city, the Taste
of the Jaguars is an annual event where fans
come together to support and raise funds for
Feeding Northeast Florida to combat hunger in
our community. A portion of the proceeds raised
at this event are used to provide food for 1,400
families, seniors and veterans during the holiday
season as part of a partnership of the Jaguars
Foundation, Feeding Northeast Florida, Publix,
and PepsiCo.
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2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
After School Program
The Jaguars Foundation supports after school
programs from Nassau County down to St Augustine to provide safe environments for children of
working parents. We partner with such organizations as The Boys and Girls Club, Heart For
Children, Communities and Schools, The Bridge
of Northeast Florida, Sanctuary on 8th Street,
MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, Tony Boselli Foundation and American Legion Post 194
in West St. Augustine who open their doors to
thousands of children who need homework help,
after school activities and an environment where
they can grow into respectful and responsible
individuals.
Family & Home
“Our support of the Jaguars Taste of the NFL at
EverBank Field provides thousands of meals for
families throughout the year,” said Jaguars team
president Mark Lamping.” And it’s especially
important for the Jaguars to help struggling
families, seniors and veterans during the holiday
season. We’re blessed to call Jacksonville our
home, and it’s a privilege to do our part to help
make the holidays a little brighter for those less
fortunate in our community.”
Dante’ Johnson
Bullied for my weight and
constantly under my own
microscope, confidence never
showed face growing up. But
my mom and coach saw a
leader in me that I myself did
not see or believe.
Youth Football
My mom saw my hard work and determination and with her guidance and
encouragement to get more involved
in school and sports, at the end of my
sophomore year of high school, I was
named captain of the football team.
Founder of 4th & 1, Daron Roberts,
and Dante’s long-serving mentor
After selecting me as a leader of his team, Coach Steven
Brown invited me to attend the 4th and 1 Football
Camp to expose me to new growth opportunities. As
much as I was hesitant, Coach always said if we seek to
change our situation or mindset, we need to shift our
focus. Hearing those words echo in my head, I realized
my focus was solely on what other people thought of
me, when in reality I had control of my reactions, my
situation and my everyday outcomes.
In taking Coach Brown’s advice, I joined 40 other student athletes on the campus of Jacksonville University
for the 4th and 1 Football Camp. Excited for the new
adventure, I woke up early on the first day of camp
anxious to get out of the dorm room and onto the field.
The first thing we did to kick off camp was Yoga. Yoga
at 6 a.m. was not my idea of football camp! The majority of us had never heard of downward facing dog, tree
pose or half pigeon but boy did attempting to mimic
these poses make for a good morning of laughter! This
set the tone for us; giving us a good idea that camp
was going to be more than just football. We would be
learning new things, getting out of our ‘comfort zones’
and becoming the leaders we were meant to be.
Every day, for six days, we went from yoga to the field
and ended our days in leadership and SAT/ACT prep
courses. On the field, we were exposed to college and
NFL drills focused primarily on agility training. Off the
field, we were expected to conduct ourselves professionally while going through interview training, money
management, etiquette, and life skills courses.
These activities required me to open up to my peers,
coaches and counselors, initially causing me great
anxiety thinking whether I would be judged or not.
With the help of Daron Roberts, the Founder of 4th &
1, and my camp leaders, I was able to push through my
own fears and uncover the leadership qualities I was
unaware I had.
It is amazing what one week can do. On the last day of
camp, I woke up and something felt different. I felt a
new light inside of me. All I could think about was my
future and the opportunities I had in front of me. It
finally dawned on me that I was selected as the captain
of the football team as an opportunity to improve myself and help influence my teammates to become better
players, friends, family members and professionals.
Before 4th and 1, I didn’t have a true sense of who
I was, or who I aspired to be, and I allowed others
to affect my self-confidence. Today, I can say I am
confidently leading my peers as captain of my team
and have never felt more secure in who I am. I became
the senior class treasurer and a member of the National
Honor Society. Through my achievements, I received
the Gates Millennium Scholarship and will be attending the University of Central Florida to pursue my goal
of obtaining a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering,
while fulfilling my dream of becoming an entrepreneur.
I attribute my success to my coaches, my incredible
mentor Daron Roberts and to the loved ones around me.
If it weren’t for those who pushed me out of my comfort
zone, helped me to see my own strengths and pushed
me into new experiences, I wouldn’t have been able to
escape the limitations of my own mind to get where I
am today.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
Under the leadership of
Tony Khan, the 4th and 1
football camp expanded
to the Jacksonville area
three years ago. The camp
was created to assist
student-athletes through
high school and college
by providing them with
individualized athletic,
academic, and professional
skills development.
Youth Football
Community Football Fields
Shad Khan has announced a major commitment
to support local youth football through the
renovation and construction of 10 new or refurbished community football fields in the Jaguars
market area in the next three years. This is being
accomplished by a partnership with the NFL,
LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)-Jacksonville, local city and county governments,
nonprofit organizations, and youth football
associations. To date, the Jaguars organization
has constructed nine community football fields;
this new initiative will more than double that,
providing safe and accessible fields throughout
Northeast Florida.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
7-on-7 Passing Challenge
Mom’s Clinic
Athletic Trainers Initiative
The Jaguars hosted their annual Jaguars 7-on-7
Passing Challenge with 16 area high school football teams participating in the tournament. This
event is designed to sharpen the skills of young
athletes while giving them an early dose of
competition as they prepare for the high school
football season.
The Mom’s Football Safety Clinic is an interactive and educational forum designed to educate
moms and their children about how the game is
being played safer and better than ever before.
This event provides an opportunity for moms to
hear from leading medical experts, get on the
field to learn USA Football’s Heads Up Tackling
techniques, and engage with other moms on
issues of mutual interest regarding youth
sports safety.
In a groundbreaking program, the Jaguars
Foundation is partnering with the NFL, Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program, Duval County
Public Schools, Jacksonville University and other
partners to embark on an ambitious initiative to
provide all 17 public high schools in Jacksonville
with full-time athletic trainers within four years.
Currently there are no full time athletic trainers
in any of the high schools. This project will
provide athletic trainers to each school who will
serve all of the school’s sports teams year-round.
As you have read in the stories of the
brave individuals featured in this annual
report, your support is changing lives for
the better throughout our community.
These stories represent the thousands of
children, women, families, military and
veterans who are positively impacted
through the initiatives of the Foundation
and our partners.
A Message from the Jaguars
Foundation President
This all happens because of the generosity of the Khan
family who provides a contribution from the team to
the Foundation of more than $1.2 million dollars, along
with Florida Blue, our official Community partner, our
incredible business community and wonderful fans who
share a vision of uplifting the greater Jacksonville area.
The Jaguars Foundation provided more than $2 million
dollars in grants and program support to area nonprofit
organizations this past year. Additionally, more than
$300,000 in charitable tickets, 500 Jaguars player and
ROAR cheerleader appearances, and well over 1,000
donated items have been donated to nonprofits for
auctions and raffles to benefit causes important to
our fans.
Whether you purchase a 50/50 raffle ticket
on game day; participate in the Jaguars
Golf Classic, Back to Football Luncheon or
Jaguars Stadium 5K Challenge; or buy your
Jaguars license tag, thank you for your
support.
On behalf of the Khan family, Jaguars team
President Mark Lamping and the entire
Jaguars family, please accept our utmost
appreciation for the opportunity we have to
share in the great story of Jacksonville!
Sincerely,
Peter Racine
Peter Racine provides a donation to
DLC Nurse & Learn at the opening
celebration of Edgewood Bakery
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE JAGUARS FOUNDATION?
Make a donation any
time. 100% of your
donation goes directly
to our work in the
community.
50/50 Raffle
Back to Football Luncheon
During every home game, the Jacksonville
Jaguars Foundation runs the 50/50 raffle where
fans can purchase raffle tickets with a chance
to be the big winner. Half of the net proceeds
will go to one winner. The other half will benefit
the Jaguars Foundation’s programs to positively
impact our community.
Every season, the Jaguars Foundation hosts the
Back to Football Luncheon where Jacksonville’s
business community and Jaguars Owner Shad
Khan, Team President Mark Lamping, General
Manager David Caldwell, Head Coach Gus Bradley
and Jaguars players come together to kick off
the season by celebrating valuable partnerships.
In purchasing a table at the luncheon, which includes a Jaguars player seated with your group,
your contribution benefits children and family
programs at the Jaguars Foundation and the Tom
Coughlin Jay Fund.
Prize Wheel
Spin a 10 foot wheel to play and you are guaranteed a prize! Located in the Fan Entertainment
zone every home game, fans can make a donation and get a chance to win sideline passes,
club seat upgrades, autographed merchandise
and more!
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE JAGUARS FOUNDATION?
Jaguars Golf Classic
The inaugural 2015 Jaguars Golf Classic, sponsored by Key Buick / GMC, hosted 24 foursomes
at the Slammer & Squire Course at the World
Golf Village. It was “Gridiron meets the Green”
as participants tried to out drive Josh Scobee,
throw an NFL ball down the fairway and tee off
wearing shoulder pads and a helmet. With Coach
Bradley announcing the start, Mark Lamping
and Dave Caldwell joined Jaguars players and
Coaches within each group for a full day of golf.
All of the proceeds from the event benefited the
Jaguars Foundation children’s programs throughout Northeast Florida. Be sure to purchase your
four-some early for next year’s event- these do
go fast!
Jaguars 5K Stadium Challenge and One
Mile Family Fun Run
Join thousands of runners for the Jaguars 5K
Stadium Challenge in support of the Foundation’s
youth sports and fitness programs in northeast
Florida. Held under the lights, the unique course
is entirely within and around EverBank Field and
the Florida Blue practice fields, ending with a
loop around the field while you are on camera
on the big scoreboards! In partnership with 1st
Place Sports, this uniquely designed and challenging course has become a fan favorite.
Jaguars License Plate
Show your pride in the Jaguars by purchasing
your Jaguars license tag today! Since 1996 the
Jaguars and the Florida Sports Foundation have
partnered in support of Florida’s youth and
sports. A portion of the proceeds from the
annual sale and renewal of every Jacksonville
Jaguars license plate benefits the Jacksonville
Jaguars Foundation.
2015 JAGUARS COMMUNITY REPORT
A Message from Florida Blue The Official Community Partner
of the Jaguars Foundation
“Florida Blue has a deep commitment
to give back to the communities it
serves. We are proud to partner with
the Jaguars and work together to
assist our neighbors to pursue health
and wellness and enjoy quality of life
on the First Coast.”
Darnell Smith
Market President, North Florida
Florida Blue
The Jaguars Community Report is
being provided to you courtesy of
Florida Blue.
jaguars.com/foundation-community
Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation
One Everbank Field Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 633-5437