Weavers, players present $25,000 in NFL Charities grants

Don Hart, successfully nominated by Safe Harbor Boys Home as one of ten local finalists for an NFL volunteer recognition program, was named December 10 as the 2002 Jaguars Community Quarterback during a luncheon ceremony held at the Adam's Mark Hotel.

In recognition of Hart's volunteer commitment to the organization, Safe Harbor Boys Home received an $11,000 grant from NFL Charities. He joins the 31 other team winners in becoming eligible for the NFL's national award, which will be announced later this month and comes with an additional $25,000 charity donation.

For the last eight years, Hart has served as the agency's carpentry shop teacher, volunteering full days each Wednesday to help rebuild boats and other buildings used as lodging quarters and meeting space for the teenage residents. Safe Harbor offers troubled boys an alternative home setting and encourages them to become responsible, mature, and independent young men through spiritual, educational, and vocational training.

A panel of team and community representatives reviewed nominations in October and determined a team winner, two runners-up and seven additional finalists.

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. Across the league, NFL Charities will donate nearly $1million to support the program.

Jaguars owners Delores and Wayne Weaver, and several players including linebacker Danny Clark, quarterback David Garrard, linebacker Wali Rainer and running back Dan Alexander, presented grants totaling $25,000 to the following 10 non-profit organizations on behalf of their outstanding volunteers:

Winner:

$11,000 - Safe Harbor Boys Home (Mr. Don Hart)

Runnerup:

$3,500 - St. Gerard Campus - St. Augustine (Mrs. Caroline A. Wolff)

Runnerup:

$3,500 - FreshMinistries (Mrs. Nadia L. Mead)

Finalists - $1,000 each:

Inside/Outside, Inc. (Mr. Thomas P. Borland)

Chets Creek Elementary School (Mr. James Boyd)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Florida (Mr. Reggie Canty)

Project Special Care - St. Augustine (Ms. Denise Edwards)

The Bridge of Northeast Florida (Mr. Noah Henderson)

SAVE Program - Southside Middle School (Mr. Jonathan Hiott)

Community Asthma Partnership - Jacksonville (Dr. Sudhir L. Prabhu)