JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars, local charities and hundreds of volunteers teamed up Friday to help people in our community ahead of Sunday’s season opener.
The team hosted its second annual “community day" Friday morning.
More than 450 volunteers were inside the Flex Field to pack meals, care packages and collect school supplies to give to those in need in the community.
It was a busy morning but one they said they looked forward to.
One set of volunteers packed 1,000 meal kits and grocery bags for Feeding Northeast Florida to distribute throughout its coverage area.
Another group stuffed care packages that are going to 200 deployed troops via a charity called St. Michael’s Soldiers.
Whitney Meyer, the Jags’ senior vice president and chief community impact officer, said the team wants to be visible beyond what fans see on the gridiron.
“I want them to know that they are a part of the team, too,” Meyer said. “We all love the Jaguars. It is a unifying force right here in our community. I want them to know that they are a jaguar too, and they are a part of this community and we are happy that they are here.”
The volunteers also packed 600 hygiene kits for the homeless and those re-entering the workforce with Operation New Hope. They also collected 500 backpacks with school supplies for each student at Andrew Robinson Elementary School.
Mike Field has been a season ticket holder with the Jags since the team arrived in town. He volunteered because he thinks this brings people together.
“If you want to make a difference where you live live, and you love where you live, this is a great place to come and make an impact,” Field said. “The Jaguars make a tremendous impact to the community. Why not be a part of it? I went to school pretty close to where Andrew Robinson is now. I was just thinking about how when I was a kid how cool it would’ve been to get those school supplies that you may have needed to help you do your homework or go through your classes. It was really cool to be able to help kids out and learn.”
Following the event, the volunteers got to meet with two former Jaguars: quarterback David Garrard and line backer Kevin Hardy.
Meyer says she hopes this effort makes people who call the River City home feel included.
“We are so much more than a football team,” Meyer said. “People want to stay involved with us. It is not just about what happens on a Sunday or a Monday night or a Thursday night game. But what do we do 365 days of the year. This is just one of the ways that we like to bring people together.”
Last year, volunteers helped feed more 1,000 people and sent care packages to more than 200 local service members.
This year, more than twice as many volunteers signed up.
”It is always emotional when you get a letter from someone in the military saying ‘Thank you,’” Meyer said. “You get that letter, you open it up, we all come together as a team, and we read it. It gets emotional. We go back and actually visit the schools and see. Last year with the care packages, we did (Matthew) Gilbert (Middle). Seeing those teachers and seeing those students express the love and appreciation.”
Charities and organizations partnering with the Jaguars for the community day event include Florida Blue, CSX, Tito’s Vodka and Atlantic Self Storage. Season ticket holders are also among the volunteers.
Friday’s event was not open to the public. Everyone involved has already signed up. The team is working on plans to let more people volunteer in the future.