by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
It’s a motto that was shared by a community Monday as Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio spoke at the Meninak Club meeting.
The Meninak Club was originally founded in 1919 to “lend help where none is available for area youth,” and Del Rio related to that purpose by announcing the launch of the Jack Del Rio Foundation this fall.
“My motto has always been give something greater than yourself,” Del Rio said, “and it sounds like that is what you are doing here.”
The Meninak Club is involved in many charitable endeavors including its annual charity project that awards at least $30,000 to help meet the needs of young people through program support or capital construction, youth leadership grants which provide five $5,000 scholarships, the annual Ocean Marathon Swim, the Salvation Army Kettle Drive, the Holiday Toy Collection and HabiJax.
The Club and the coach are also linked through football. The Meninak Club hosted an annual football game from 1932-88 where a local high school team would play another team from the Eastern United States to raise money for the club’s charities.
The football game may not be a part of the club’s fundraising activities anymore, but it was on the minds of most of its members during the question and answer session.
Del Rio predicted a bright financial future for the team’s stock of talent.
“We are in a good (salary) cap position,” said Del Rio. “We haven’t mortgaged our future and we have managed our draft really well.”
However, there still isn’t an answer to whose name will adorn the stadium when the season kicks off.
“We are going to be featured in some high profile games that will feature whoever’s name is on the stadium,” said Del Rio. “It’s an opportunity that is really being missed right now.”
He may not have been able to recall how many speaking appearances he makes each year, but Del Rio said he enjoys an opportunity to spend time with the community he is a part of.
“I enjoy coming out and sharing my time with groups,” said Del Rio. “I try to give people a glimpse of me away from football.”
The community makes it easy for Del Rio and his family to give back.
“This is, without a doubt, the most charitable community we’ve ever been a part of,” he said. “We are definitely givers, and we enjoy being in that environment.”