by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The Jaguars may be on the road to start the season, but the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, North Florida Chapter, still plans to pack the Terrace Suite at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Sept. 13 with fans hungry for football, food and a cause.
The Southern Oak Insurance Company Tailgate Kick Off to a Cure will host Jaguars fans, a combination of 25 restaurants and caterers and live and silent auctions to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“It’s the best food in Jacksonville, free drinks and football, and it’s all for a good cause,” said Angela Costa, event coordinator. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The goal of the event is to help make life better for people with cystic fibrosis. This chronic disease affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S., according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The disease occurs when “a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.”
The best food from area restaurants will be available for attendees as well as an open bar and auction and giveaway prizes.
Best Buy will supply big screen televisions for fans to watch the Indianapolis Colts battle the Jaguars, and they will also donate a television to be given away at the event. First Coast Honda and Suzuki of St. Augustine has donated a pair of Honda Metropolitan scooters and PSS World Medical has donated four seats in its sky box and a parking pass for the Dec. 17 Jaguars game when the Colts come to town.
The Clara White Mission has been a partner for several years through Ashley Street Catering, but the current economy has made it more important for nonprofits to help each other out.
“The event gives our current students and grads a chance to use the skills they have developed, and gives them an opportunity to give back to a great cause,” said Ju’Coby Pittman-Peele, CEO of Clara White Mission. “With what’s going on with the economy, a lot of the nonprofits are working together to raise funds so we won’t have to compromise the quality of our programs.”
For more information on the event, contact Costa at 733-3560.
356-2466