by Fred Seely
Editorial Director
A Jacksonville Jaguars’ desire to do something for a few children is turning out to be something for a lot of children.
Three years ago, Donovin Darius was walking out of church and a teenager told him, “There’s nothing for kids my age. All the camps are for little kids.”
“I thought, ‘He’s right,’” said Darius. “There isn’t much available for a teenager.”
That was on June 1. Seventeen days later the first “Sharpen Your Skills” football camp took place. It was at Mandarin High School. There were 15 Jaguars players and 38 campers.
“It was hard to get the word out because school had ended,” recalled Darius. “We knew to start earlier the next year.”
But something else got started and today the Donovin Darius Children’s Foundation is reaching throughout the community.
“I saw that I could do it when I put on that first camp,” said Darius, a strong safety, after Tuesday’s Jaguars practice. “I’ve always been very detail-oriented. I knew people would support me, if only I show that I could do it right.
“It’s not rocket science. All I needed was a location. I figured I could get the kids, and I knew my teammates would help.”
Last year, there were 120 teens and 20 Jaguars at Ribault High School.
“It was better in every way,” he said.
Now, he’s reached far beyond the youngsters in an effort to make their camp a memorable experience, and a fulfilling one. Since that first camp, Darius has been working the community.
His reputation as one of the team’s defensive stars opens the doors and he has called over 200 business executives, met with the Chamber of Commerce, talked to other foundations, gotten his own foundation into the proper legal mode and soon will have the Internal Revenue Service’s 501(c)(3) designation, and is dreaming for the future.
This year’s camp will be June 15 at Raines High School. The first 150 to apply will be accepted and Darius expects to have 30-some fellow Jags on the field with him. Each camper will receive a duffel full of gifts, most donated by merchants and businesses, and he’s personally bought 25 computers for door prizes. He also has had other electronic equipment donated, including DVD players and television sets.
He’s already looking for next year, when he plans to have a three-day camp.
“The most important time will be the evenings,” he said, sitting in a stadium room and cooling off after the football team’s midday drills. “That’s when we can reach the kids to talk about accountability, credibility and respectability.
“We have time to do that now, but we need more time to do it properly. We need to be able to do role playing, to break out into groups and really get close to the kids.
“If we can get to just one kid, it’s worth everything.”
The foundation has become his off-season vocation. His wife helps with paperwork, their four children are cheerleaders and he works the telephone, setting up meetings with community leaders. He wants them to get involved personally and financially.
He’s visible, too. Tonight, he’ll have a table at the Chamber’s Business After Hours party at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. He’ll be available for photos and autographs, but be ready to hear about the foundation, too.
“I was dog tired the other night,” he said, “and my three-year-old gave me a big hug and said, ‘Daddy, I’m proud of you.’”