NFL Charities to Donate Nearly $1 Million in Recognition of Community Volunteers

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced today 10 local finalists for the NFL Community Quarterback Award, a volunteer recognition program that will donate nearly $1 million leaguewide to community organizations served by outstanding volunteers.

The 10 Jacksonville-area nonprofit organizations noted below will receive $1,000 grants on behalf of their volunteers who are eligible to be named the Jaguars Community Quarterback. The volunteer receiving the team award will have an additional $10,000 grant donated in his/her name to the charity for which they volunteer. Two runners-up will also be selected from the group below and receive additional $2,500 grants for their designated charities.

Jaguars owners Delores and Wayne Weaver will announce the team winner and two runners-up on December 19 at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon at The River Club. All 31 team winners become eligible for the national NFL Community Quarterback Award, to be announced later this month by a blue-ribbon panel appointed by the NFL. NFL Charities will make an additional $25,000 donation to the organization where the national winner volunteers.

Funded by NFL Charities, the NFL Community Quarterback Award recognizes community and youth volunteers who demonstrate leadership, dedication and a commitment to bettering their communities. The nomination process is fulfilled by charitable organizations that nominate their notable volunteers. NFL Charities will donate grants to the nonprofit establishments served by the award winners. A local nomination committee made up of team representatives and community leaders reviewed nominations in order to select the 10 finalists.

NFL Charities, created in 1973, is a nonprofit organization created by the member clubs of the National Football League to enable the clubs to collectively make grants to charitable and worthwhile causes on the national level. Since its inception, NFL Charities has made more than $45 million in grant commitments to more than 250 different organizations.

Finalists for the 2001 Jaguars Community Quarterback Award:

Ms. Leslie Allen, Duval County 4-H Program

Ms. Elizabeth Bay, Community Connections (formerly YWCA)

Ms. Mary Burt, The Bridge of Northeast Florida, Inc.

Ms. Patricia Cooper, North Jacksonville Youth Development Center

Ms. Victoria Drake, Duval County Public Schools

Mr. Sam Eisenberg, Jacksonville Housing Partnership, Inc.

Ms. Lillian Jordan, Volunteer Jacksonville, Inc.

Mr. Henri Landwirth, I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless

Ms. Vena Patton, Hubbard House

Mr. Michael Stephens, National Conference for Community and Justice

For more information, please contact the Jaguars Community Affairs Department at (904) 633-6582.