The Jacksonville Jaguars raised $90,000 for tornado relief in Parkersburg, Iowa through donations from partners, coaches, players and staff and the sale of AP Falcons Tornado Relief Hats. A check for $24,000 will be distributed to the Aplington-Parkersburg High School Football Program while $66,000 will go to the Parkersburg Relief Fund.
Parkersburg is the home area of Jaguars center Brad Meester. A tornado struck Parkersburg on May 25 and several people were killed and much of the downtown was leveled in the city of 1,800. Aplington-Parkersburg High School was completely destroyed along with many homes and businesses in and around the community.
“I can’t thank the community of Jacksonville enough for their support,” Meester said. “Mr. Weaver along with the players, coaches and staff really stepped up and I hope they realize how much of an impact they will make in my hometown.”
Many players and coaches wore the AP hats throughout minicamp and 2,000 hats were sold at minicamp and on jaguars.com. The NFL matched each player or coach contribution up to $5,000 for the football program through the NFL Youth Football Fund. The funds will be used to replace damaged or lost equipment and to repair the football field and weight room facilities. The Parkersburg Relief Fund was set up for funds to go directly toward rebuilding homes and providing basic necessities to Iowa residents.