More than 400 youth and chaperones from the organizations listed below focused their energies in the past three months on activities such as building teamwork, performing various acts of kindness, learning how to play tennis, and diligently working to attain their respective HONOR ROWS goals. These dedicated youth and their parents/guardians are looking forward to a Jaguars victory over the Houston Texans.
Seated in the 300-level section of the North End Zone, these boys and girls earned their seat to the game by improving their academic skills, engaging in positive behavior, and participating in a variety of community service projects. In addition, all youth made and kept a "tobacco, alcohol and drug-free" pledge with support from their parents and mentors.
Note that at the end of the first quarter, Delores and Wayne Weaver will wave in congratulations to the youth and their agencies for persevering and earning their seat to today's game. Please join the Weavers and other fans in The Wave.
Now in its eighth year, HONOR ROWS is a unique program that uses seats at Jaguars home games as incentives for young people to set and achieve ambitious but realistic goals. The flexibility of the
program allows agencies to determine how best to use seats for their particular program.
In 2002, more than 4,000 seats have been awarded to 40 agencies with multiple programs. Each HONOR ROWS participant receives a special T-shirt, hat, free meal, certificate of achievement and recognition at the stadium during the game. But, the rewards of the HONOR ROWS program go far beyond the earned seats. The personal goals and skills each youth attains have a long-lasting impact on their future.
HONOR ROWS was instituted in 1995 during the Jacksonville Jaguars inaugural season, "The Season of Firsts." The Jaguars Foundation is sponsored by Reebok, with additional support by ALLTEL and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The United Way of Northeast Florida mobilizes game-day volunteers who ensure the safety and enjoyment of HONOR ROWS participants. The Jaguars Foundation received the 1996 Governor's Community Investment Award for this program and, through the Sports Philanthropy Project, the Foundation serves as a demonstration site for other sports leagues and franchises.
The following agencies will be present Sunday's HONOR ROWS game:
Boys Home Association – 13 (seats)
Clay County Behavioral Health Center – 30
Hubbard House – 20
MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation – 52
Sutton Place of Nassau County – 55
The Bridge of Northeast Florida – 240
For more information about The Foundation's Honor Rows Program or other Foundation initiatives, please contact Tarek Tabet or Peter Racine (633-6579).
