Jaguars veteran punter Chris Hanson has been named as the September honoree for the Jaguars/Morgan Stanley Community Leader Award, presented monthly during the NFL season to the Jaguars player that demonstrates exemplary community involvement.
In partnership with Morgan Stanley, a $500 donation will be made on Hanson's behalf to the Community Asthma Partnership, a Jacksonville organization dedicated to enhancing asthma education and care. Four players will be named monthly winners during the 2002 season. The program will conclude in December with a year-end luncheon at ALLTEL Stadium when an additional $3,000 charity donation will be made to the player selected as the 2002 Community Leader of the Year. The Jaguars 2001 Community Leader of the Year was strong safety Donovin Darius.
Hanson, who has battled asthma since he was a child, volunteers with the Community Asthma Partnership, appearing in a public service announcement and speaking to community groups about important steps in managing the disease.
Since March he has spoken at area elementary schools, participated in several charity golf tournaments, and has made special appearances to support the Boy Scouts and local military family readiness groups. In August, on a day off during training camp, he assisted with a food distribution sponsored in part by the Jaguars Foundation at Community Connections (formerly the YWCA).
