Tuesday, February 2, 2010
On Monday the Jaguars Foundation distributed 500 pairs of athletic shoes donated by Reebok to area low-income children, teens and young adults as part of the NFL/Jaguars Play 60 program. Jaguars owners Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver were joined by Jaguars players and members of The ROAR Cheerleaders in the Weaver Zone auditorium at The Bridge of Northeast Florida to distribute the shoes. Jaguars guard Vince Manuwai, safety Gerald Alexander and fullback Montell Owens were on hand for the event.
Delores Barr Weaver explained, “Through the NFL/Jaguars Play 60 Challenge program in partnership with Baptist Health, we encourage children to have at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, 30 minutes during school and 30 minutes after school. Having good athletic shoes is important for these children to be physically active.”
Wayne Weaver added, “Reebok is a major partner with the NFL and being part of the ‘NFL family’ here in Jacksonville has allowed the Jaguars organization to access this generous donation.”
Along with their own youth, The Bridge of Northeast Florida hosted youth from the Sanctuary on 8th Street, the NFL – YET (Youth Education Town)/Boys & Girls Club in Brentwood, MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation and Community Connections. Each child received a pair of new shoes at the event. The agencies will also take shoes to distribute to other youth at their program sites.
Other recipient organizations that already received donated Reebok athletic shoes include The Lost Boys of Sudan, Communities in Schools students at John E. Ford Elementary, and foster children at St. Augustine Youth Services and Touchstone Village at the Youth Crisis Center.