Press Releases
New York Jets Making a Difference for Morris County Teens
NFL and United Way Help Transform Gym at Morristown Neighborhood House
Players scheduled to appear include: James Dearth, Eric Smith, Sione Pouha, Darrelle Revis, David Harris,Jacob Bender, and Dave Szott (alumni)
September 21, 2007 – Morristown, NJ – On October 9, 2007 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm players and representatives from the New York Jets will take part in the NFL’s annual Hometown Huddle, an NFL-wide day of service with United Ways across the nation. Jets players will conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating a newly renovated gym at Morristown Neighborhood House. The entire project, estimated at close to $85,000, includes the installation of a new 5,000 square foot gym floor, painting the gym with the Jets’ team colors, and new fitness equipment. The majority of the project was paid for by NFL Charities, United Way of Morris County, Realogy Corporation, Burgdorff Realtors ERA, and Morristown Neighborhood House.
The NFL/United Way "Hometown Huddle" is an NFL-wide day of service that provides NFL players, coaches, wives, and staff from each team the opportunity to participate in a variety of community-service activities, including such projects as building playgrounds, serving food to the homeless, visiting local military bases, and funding after-school programs for underserved children. Started in 1999 by the NFL and United Way, Hometown Huddle continues to help make a difference in local NFL communities.
Morristown Neighborhood House conducts a Healthy Lifestyles Program, in collaboration with Morristown Memorial Hospital and the Morris Center YMCA. This program is designed to educate over 500 Morris County residents and students on healthy eating and the benefits of daily exercise.
With a newly renovated gym, Morristown Neighborhood House will be offering much-needed, free access to teens throughout Morris County to participate in the Healthy Lifestyles program, as well as basketball, baseball and soccer leagues. Clinics will be offered to help improve and maximize sports performance and fitness. Additionally, residents from the community and surrounding cities also will be able to use the gym on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The sending school districts will be allowed to use the gym for practices of organized sports at no charge.
Jets players along with 10 volunteers from Burgdorff Realtors ERA will help complete the project, including painting and assembling newly purchased fitness equipment. Then, players and volunteers will conduct fitness drills with the teens, coordinated by the Recreation Direction of Morristown Neighborhood House. Players scheduled to appear include: James Dearth, Eric Smith, Sione Pouha, Darrelle Revis, David Harris, Jacob Bender, and Dave Szott (alumni).
The NY Jets will be leasing a 20-acre site in Florham Park, NJ, recently purchased by the New Jersey Sports & Exhibition Authority, for their new corporate headquarters and training facility. The project is slated to be completed in the fall of 2008.
About The NFL and United Way
In 1973, the NFL and United Way of America forged a partnership that has become the sports industry’s most visible and longest-running public service program, using players and other NFL personalities to promote community service through public service television ads. Throughout the years, United Way fundraising has soared from $800 million to $3.91 billion and the NFL-United Way partnership has evolved from a fundraising organization to a community services provider, on programs and services that far surpass the well-known television spots. Teams and their players support the local United Way chapters in their communities year-round through personal appearances, joint programs, and campaign contributions.
About United Way of Morris County
United Way of Morris County is dedicated to helping people and improving the quality of life for all residents. We address issues most critical to the future of Morris County by bringing attention, expertise, and resources to them. For more information, visit us on the web at www.uwmorris.org, or call 973.993.1160.
About Morristown Neighborhood House
The Mission of the Neighborhood House is to provide families and youth with a community-based support system which will strengthen their ability to cope in today’s rapidly changing and complex society by providing a broad range of community services relevant to persons of all ages and from every socio-economic, ethnic and religious background. We are a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers serving children, families and individuals who are confronting economic and social challenges by ensuring the existence of cultural, recreational, educational and social programs.
About New York Jets, Realogy Corporation and Burgdorff Realtors ERA
Programs funded by the New York Jets Foundation touch the lives of countless young men and women in the tri-state area. Realogy Corporation, a premier global provider of real estate and relocation services, and its subsidiary companies Burgdorff Realtors ERA and Cartus, are title sponsors for all of the Jets' community relations programs. Over the past seven years, the Jets and their charitable foundation have donated or contributed more than $7 million to promote youth health, fitness and education, particularly in disadvantaged communities. From fighting childhood obesity through the Generation Jets: Be Lean & Green initiative to launching a football team in a Harlem high school, urging students in the Bronx to eat right and move more or supporting the efforts of the Alliance for Lupus Research, the New York Jets make investments that make a difference in the lives of others. In addition to the Jets Foundation, which supports our own extensive youth initiatives, the Jets partner with numerous established charitable organizations and participate in causes sponsored by the NFL.
Contact
Andrea Conway
Marketing Communications
United Way of Morris County
973.993.1160, x110
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