Boselli Foundation

The Boselli Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides opportunities for all Jacksonville children, especially those with limited financial resources, to reach their full academic and athletic potential. [ [ ] ] It is one of the older “celebrity” charitable foundations in the First Coast area and replaces programs started by the now defunct Otis Smith Kids Foundation.

In 1997, Boselli was named the "Jaguars True Value NFL Man of the Year" for his community involvement. The Boselli Foundation, which Jaguar left tackle Tony Boselli founded with his wife Angi in 1995, was the recipient of the $5,000 award. Helping children become champions at home, school, and on the playing field is the focus of all programs provided by The Boselli Foundation. Since its' inception, the Foundation has helped numerous agencies which serve underprivileged youth in Jacksonville, including the Ronald McDonald House, Down syndrome Association, Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs and the YWCA.

Activities

*The annual holiday "Shop with a Jock" event pairs 100 at-risk children with professional athletes, giving them a chance to spend time with positive role models for an evening while they shop for loved ones and experience the joy of giving.

*The Most Valuable Teacher Award (M.V.T.) was established in 1997 as an annual event to honor teaching and coaching excellence in public schools in the Jacksonville area. The first winner was First Coast High School's Martin Lee, who received a $6,000 grant to enhance his teaching and coaching programs. The other two finalists each received $2,000 grants for their school programs. [ [http://www.jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=665 Jaguars.com: November 04, 1997-Boselli Named Jaguars True Value NFL Man of the Year] ] The 2000 winner was Michelle Gaskins of Englewood High School, who received a $10,000 grant. Joey Wiles of St. Augustine High School and Tikm Worsowicz of Forrest High School received $5,000 grants. [ [http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2000/10/09/daily8.html Jacksonville Business Journal: October 10, 2000-Boselli Foundation honors local teachers] ]

*Christian Scholar-Athlete College Scholarships - On May 19, 2001, 10 full-tuition, four-year college scholarships were presented to deserving students on behalf of The Boselli Foundation. [ [http://www.jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=1346 Jacksonville Jaguars website: May 18, 2001-Community News 2001 Boselli Foundation Events Kick Off] ]

*Destiny, a new mentoring initiative.

*Youth Life Learning Center - The first one was created at Simonds Johnson Park on the Northside during the summer of 2007. The foundation rehabilitated the existing community center which had been vandalized, covered with graffiti and closed down. Initially, there was some controversy over whether a private entity should run a city-owned property, but the issue has been resolved. The Boselli Foundation provides free tutoring at the community center. Work on a second facility was begun in July, 2008 at Russell Bill Cook Park in the eastside neighborhood downtown. The Boselli Foundation teamed up with "Builders Care" and "Engle Homes" to renovate the current building and put up a convert|1000|sqft|m2|sing=on building next door. [ [http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=113979&catid=3 First Coast News: July 18, 2008-Former Jaguar Tony Boselli Opening Another Learning Center] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.bosellifoundation.com/ Boselli Foundation website]