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Weavers Receive National United Way Award
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| Also read about the announcement in The Florida Times-Union |
United Way of America selects award recipients that have demonstrated the following attributes in their community: leadership in volunteer service, creativity in devising new and better ways of meeting the community’s needs, sustained service over a period of years, community impact on a national or global level, inspiring others to work and serve, strong commitment to volunteerism, tangible impact from their efforts, and embodies the mission of United Way.
“United Way is proud to have Wayne and Delores Weaver as recipients of the National Tocqueville Society Award,” said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way of America. “They have a commitment to service and believe that philanthropy extends beyond generosity, it requires action. The Weaver’s action has improved the lives of countless children and families throughout the Jacksonville area and their example inspires leaders across the entire United Way movement.”
The Alexis de Tocqueville Society was inspired by the French historian who wrote about Americans’ unique spirit of philanthropy and voluntary effort for the common good. Tocqueville members contribute a minimum annual gift of $10,000. United Way of Northeast Florida Tocqueville Society was founded in 1987 with 20 members and currently has 317 members.
The Weavers’ philanthropic spirit and leadership continue to set the standard for giving to United Way of Northeast Florida. Delores Weaver has served six years on the Board of Trustees, playing an active role during the transformation from a fundraising organization to community impact organization. As 2004 Honorary Co-Chairs for United Way’s 2004 campaign, they guided the community-wide campaign to unprecedented growth during Jacksonville’s Super Bowl year.
In 1994, Delores and Wayne Weaver established The Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation. They wanted to impact the lives of economically and socially disadvantaged children in the greater Jacksonville area. Since its inception, the Foundation has allocated more than $9.5 million in grants to local agencies. In addition, the award- winning Straight Talk program, in partnership with seven local television stations and their affiliates, address the issues of teen pregnancy, AIDS, and increased male responsibility through broadcasts run each May.
Through the establishment of the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, the Weavers have assisted other NFL communities to develop their own philanthropic initiatives. The nationally recognized Honor Rows incentive program, which gives low-income youth an opportunity to earn a seat to a Jaguars home game, has been recognized nationally. NFL communities, including Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills have replicated the program or incorporated other elements into their own charitable tickets program. Studies have shown the Honor Rows program has a tangible positive effect on increasing a student’s self-image, self-determination and self-discipline. Students earn their game-day seat by setting and attaining volunteer service, academic and personal health goals.
The Weavers’ generosity of giving has inspired others to become involved in the issues that face our community. In 1999, they presented United Way of Northeast Florida with a one million dollar gift. As a result, the Weaver Challenge was established to increase Tocqueville Society membership and giving, which has increased by 150 percent with 181 percent growth in Tocqueville giving to $4.56 million. They pledged a second million dollar gift in early 2005, to continue the growth of the Tocqueville Society. With this commitment the Weavers became the first NFL team owners in history of the national United Way movement to give a second million dollar gift to a local United Way. In an effort to help those most affected by Hurricane Katrina, the Weavers stepped forward with another gift of $1 million in September 2005 to United Way of America’s Hurricane Response Fund. In addition to their contribution, they invited other Tocqueville Society members to partner with them in this effort.
In 2007, Full Service Schools, an initiative led by United Way that works to remove barriers to student family success, received more than $1.6 million; making this gift the fourth $1 million gift that United Way of Northeast Florida has received from the Weavers. As a result, a site in the Sandalwood High School neighborhood was established, bringing the total number of Full Service School sites in Jacksonville to eight, serving 59,602 students and families.
Delores and Wayne Weaver continue to embody the mission of United Way through their integrity, community impact, and service. They have committed themselves to helping families and young people on the First Coast lead self-sufficient, meaningful lives. Since arriving in Jacksonville, they have partnered with United Way of Northeast Florida in making their franchise accessible in mobilizing the region in support of the community impact work of United Way as well as the annual giving campaign.
“Throughout their careers, the Weavers have maintained a strong commitment to investing in their community and leading by example,” United Way of Northeast Florida President Connie Hodges said. “Their generosity has inspired others to not only give, but become personally involved in the issues and challenges that face children and families on the First Coast.” In 2008, The National United Way Tocqueville Society Award will be presented on November 20 at the St. Regis Hotel Ballroom, New York City, New York.
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Also read about the announcement in The Florida Times-Union >>
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