Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Joe Zelenka and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida employee Jill Gleason were recognized Tuesday at Garden City Elementary School as the 2004 Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida Community Champion.
The award recognizes a Jaguars player and a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Jacksonville-based employee for their community involvement, philanthropic commitment, and volunteer initiatives.
BCBSF, a Jaguars community partner, presented two $2,500 checks to local charities on behalf of the honorees.
The charities which have been named by the honorees to receive a financial gift from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida are BIGS in Schools and Kessler Mentoring ($2,500), and the Ronald McDonald House ($2,500).
Zelenka, a sixth-year veteran long snapper for the Jaguars, was honored for his work in the community.
He makes several unscheduled visits to The Ronald McDonald House and to Wolfson Children’s Hospital and also makes regular visits to elementary schools to talk to children about the importance of a good education.