The Mike Peterson Foundation
1320 Forestedge Blvd.
Oldsmar, FL, 34677
(727) 786-2223 (Phone)
(727) 786-8223 (Fax)
The Mike Peterson Foundation was formed to benefit underserved youth and socio-economically challenged families in his hometown of Alachua, FL and his former NFL community of Jacksonville. Peterson hopes to create a legacy by one day building a community center in the Alachua area just outside of Gainesville.
Since its inception, the Mike Peterson Foundation has sponsored a number of community events including:
BACK TO SCHOOL BACKPACK DISTRIBUTION
August signals it’s time to head back to school for children all across the country. Statistics show that 52% of youth in the City of Alachua are on the reduced fee lunch program, and these children often are not able to secure the supplies necessary to do well in school. With support from Office Depot, Peterson helped many children in Alachua County prepare for school in August 2006 by distributing 125 backpacks filled with school supplies to children at the Alachua Recreation Center.
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY DRIVE
The 2005 Thanksgiving season saw the Foundation team up with Millennium Bank to sponsor a food drive to benefit the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank and its constituents in Alachua County. Sante Fe High School, Mike’s alma mater, collected 760 pounds of food and received a visit from the linebacker during which time he spoke to the students about the importance of staying in school and out of trouble. The food drive collected enough donations to feed approximately 452 Alachua-area families.
Peterson continued the tradition of giving in 2006, as he worked alongside Hitchcock’s Supermarkets to provide 80 families with Thanksgiving meals. The families were identified through Alachua County Schools, and all were invited to pick up their dinners at Hitchcock’s where they received more than food as they got the chance to meet Peterson and get his autograph.
HOLIDAY GIFT PARTY
In December 2005, Peterson invited 75 Alachua Elementary students to the Alachua Recreation Center for a party complete with pizza, a visit from Santa Claus and gifts courtesy of the former Jaguars linebacker. The students were selected based on an essay each wrote titled “If I were Mike Peterson…” Peterson was on hand at the party to sign autographs, deliver gifts to the children and wish everyone Happy Holidays!
With help from Dick’s Sporting Goods in Jacksonville, Peterson hosted a holiday shopping spree for 50 youth in December 2006. The children, from the Alachua Recreation Center, as well as two youth agencies in Jacksonville, were divided into groups of five. Each group was then paired with a Jacksonville Jaguar who served as an escort as the children were allowed to select items from around the store. Jaguars who served as shopping buddies included
*Deon Grant
*Quinn Gray
*Nick Greisen
*Tony Gilbert
*Cortez Hankton
*John Henderson
*Brian Iwuh
*Greg Jones
*Daryl Smith
*Marcus Stroud
*Fred Taylor
*Marcellus Wiley
Each child received a picture with their player escort in addition to some memories that will last a lifetime.
GAME DAY TICKET PROGRAM
At three Jaguars home games each season, Peterson hosts youth from Hubbard House, the Boys & Girls Club and Pop Warner Little League.
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Good Afternoon,
My name is Geraldine Lochren and I am the Success By 6 Coordinator in Marion County Florida. The Early Learning Coalition’s Success By 6 program is a parent education initiative focusing on needs of parents with young children; birth to age 6. Parents are their child’s first teacher and what the parent do at home to enhance their child’s development in the early years sets a foundation for them to learn and succeed throughout their lifetime. We provide services for families free of charge due to funding we have received from the United Way as well as various grants and sponsors. I was writing you today to inquire if your foundation considers funding any projects for at-risk children in Marion County? Thank you for your time. I look forward to your response.
Geraldine Lochren, M.A.