The Jaguars Owners' Circle announced the start of the "Touchdown for Reading!" community book drive at local high schools. The book drive is part of an initiative by the Jaguars Owners' Circle to promote reading and improve literacy on the First Coast. The Owners' Circle is made up of the major corporate partners of the Jaguars, including ALLTEL, Baptist Health, Clear Channel Television, Coggin Automotive Group, Cox Communications, Pepsi, Wachovia, and Winn-Dixie, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation.

The schools will collect new and gently used children's books, which will then be distributed to needy families, school and after-school programs, non-profit agencies and libraries. The book drive will run through October 3. The Duval County School Board public high schools will participate along with other area schools, including Clay High School in Clay County, Bishop Kenny Catholic High School and Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns County.

The high school that collects the most children's books will have the opportunity to have its marching band perform a Jaguars home game pre-game show onfield at ALLTEL Stadium. The marching band of the high school that collects the second-highest number of children's books will perform prior to a Jaguars home game in the Pepsi Experience area of ALLTEL Stadium. Peter Racine, executive director of the Jaguars Foundation, said, "This is a unique opportunity to get books into the hands of children who need them most, and at the same time highlight the wonderful talent of our local high school marching bands."

Members of the public can donate new or gently used children's books at any of the above high schools during regular school hours through October 3. For more information, contact Peter Racine at (904) 633-6216.