by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
“Which volunteer should I match with which celebrity at the golf tournament? Do I have all the information I need for the meeting with the people at TPC? Did I send out all the thank you notes? Can I get just 15 more minutes of sleep?”
It’s about 6 a.m. on a weekday and these are some of the thoughts bouncing around the brain of Jennifer Perkins, 37, executive director of the new Jack Del Rio Foundation, as she tries to coax herself back to sleep for just 15 more minutes.
“My brain will just turn on in the morning and I can’t get it to stop,” said Perkins. “I’ll still be in bed, but I have to get up because I can’t get back to sleep.”
After the Episcopal High grad wipes the sleep from her eyes, she walks over to her home office in Ortega with her assistant, a five-year-old yellow lab named Ellie, to handle the day-to-day business of the Foundation. The Jaguars head coach and his wife, Linda, officially launched the Foundation June 18 to help improve the lives of underprivileged children in Northeast Florida and further the message of “Something Greater Than Self.”
The primary beneficiary of the foundation will be Seamark Ranch, a faith-based children’s home for abused, abandoned, neglected and homeless children. Part of Perkins’ duties are to organize the foundation’s upcoming fundraisers, a celebrity party and golf tournament October 16-17, at the Stadium course in Sawgrass.
A lot of work has already been done before celebrities and athletes are asked if they can attend the fundraisers or hotel rooms are booked for their stay. Before the official launch of the foundation, Perkins got a logo designed and approved, set up a Web site (www.jackdelriofoundation.com), assisted in recruitment of board members, began identifying beneficiaries and promoting the foundation.
“Jennifer is the smartest, most talented and hard working person that we interviewed,” said Jack Del Rio. “We interviewed several people but having worked with her before made it an easy decision.”
Prior to being hired by the foundation, Perkins worked for advertising and public relations agency William Cook for eight years, and then she became head of marketing for the Jaguars. That time span also included the arrival of Del Rio and Perkins was responsible for introducing the new coach to the community.
“You really have to get close to people when you put together a promotional campaign and Jack was great to work with,” said Perkins. “Jack has always maintained a healthy relationship with all of his staff. (Jack and his wife Linda) would invite staff and players over to his house after a win.”
Perkins has been immersed in football for most of the decade despite not being a die-hard fan of the sport growing up. Her college years didn’t allow her to form an allegiance to a football program. She graduated from Hollins College in Roanoke, Va., an all women’s college.
“I was a football fan in the sense that it was what my father and brother would watch on the weekend,” said Perkins. “We rooted for the Falcons and Dolphins, but without a team in the area I really couldn’t get into it. It was exciting to see the impact of the Jaguars coming to town and the impact they had on Jacksonville.”
The team had another big impact on Jennifer’s life. She met and married the team’s video director, Mike Perkins.
“We had to keep it hush-hush while we were dating because we were working together,” said Mike, son of former NFL receiver and coach Ray Perkins. “We got married about a year after we started dating.”
Life was good for Jennifer and Mike after their 2004 wedding. They had good jobs with the most successful expansion franchise in NFL history, and they celebrated the birth of their son Tyler in 2006.
Jennifer was able to spend more time with Tyler after she was released from the Jaguars when the organization reduced its staff in the fall of 2007.
“The job search was getting a little discouraging,” said Perkins, a Jacksonville native. “(Jack and Linda Del Rio) knew I was looking for a job and they invited me over to their house on a Saturday to talk about the foundation. It all happened rather quickly.”
Perkins may have spent most of her career in marketing, but this is her first experience working for a not-for-profit.
“It’s trying to wrap your head around how a 501(c)(3) works from the IRS point of view,” said Perkins. “It’s a long list of rules you can’t deviate from. You also have to be smart with what you are spending money on.”
The process of the job isn’t the only new experience for Perkins. After she got involved with the project and visited the children at the Seamark Ranch, she discovered a different sense of fulfillment from her job.
“It’s rewarding knowing that you are making a child’s life better and providing them with the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life,” said Perkins. “When we sold out the stadium for the Jaguars and starting a waiting list, that was a great accomplishment. But it’s not as fulfilling as making a difference in a child’s life.”
As rewarding as her new career may be, it is not without its difficulties. The foundation has established Seamark Ranch as its main beneficiary, but other applications for assistance are starting to land on Perkins’ desk regularly.
“Our board of directors is currently reviewing three applications to see if they meet our criteria,” said Perkins. “The hardest thing will take place over the next few weeks. Not every group is going to meet our criteria and get funded. We haven’t had to turn anyone away yet but that will be difficult. The board didn’t want to box themselves in to a certain number of groups they could help. They want to help as many youths as they can.”
Despite the difficulties of being involved with the creation of a charitable organization, Perkins is glad she got involved at an early stage in her life.
“It’s an eye-opening experience, you really find out what is important in life,” said Perkins. “I’m glad that I have recognized that at age 37 rather than later in life, so I didn’t miss the chance to make a difference.”
Other Jaguar-related charitable organizations
356-2466