by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Jacksonville area children received special holiday gifts from three Jaguar players last week at Families First’s Children’s Holiday Party. The Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association chose Families First as the recipient of its annual Christmas project and invited defensive end Paul Spicer, offensive lineman Maurice Williams and former Jaguar Eric Curry to help hand out gifts of books, school supplies and holiday treats.
The Women’s Law Student Association of Florida Coastal School of Law joined JWLA to gather gifts for the event.
Stephanie Wally, community services director of Families First, said the event was very important because far too often children go without the things they need.
“The Jaguars are dedicated to improving literacy,” said Wally. “They are very supportive of us and the children enjoy it.”
Patty Dodson, JWLA president-elect and a Families First board member, said many of the children are involved in the Jaguars’ Honor Rows, an incentive program for children 9-16 years old in which they earn free seating at Jaguars games for completing activities including reading.
“It’s a big honor and motivation for the children to do their reading,” said Dodson.
All of the children were from Spanish Oaks Apartments or Gregory Cove Apartments, complexes owned by Families First.
Families First is an organization committed to providing community services and housing to low-income families in Jacksonville.
JWLA has been giving to charity for a number of years, but chose Families First for the second year in a row because of the cause, said Dodson.
“(Families First) has such a focus on education with their afterschool centers,” she said. “We feel it’s important to promote education so children have the things they need for the future.”