MOLINE, Ill. – Feb. 2, 2005 – On Friday, February 4th, children from the Clara White Mission’s Greater Expectations program in Jacksonville, Florida, will enjoy Super Bowl weekend by having the opportunity to be honorary caddies to some NFL greats.
Mill Cove Golf Club and John Deere will be hosting the National Football Players Father’s Association (NFPFA) in a Living Legends Golf Tournament with lawn tractor raffle proceeds benefiting the Clara White Mission’s Greater Expectations youth program. The Clara White Mission’s Greater Expectations program targets school-aged youth residing in underserved areas in the Jacksonville community.
The program involves the children in positive activities such as a golf and tennis instruction program as well as academic tutorial. Children from the program will have the opportunity on February 4th to meet well-known NFL players, take pictures, participate in golf activities and receive autographs from some of football’s legends and stars that could include such names as Donovan McNabb, Dwight Freeney and Antwaan Randle El, depending on player availability and other Super Bowl commitments.
“The Clara White Mission has made a difference for young people in Jacksonville and we know that the children will enjoy meeting professional football players,” said Deborah Taylor, the associate director of global diversity at Deere. “More importantly, this encourages children to have an optimistic outlook for their future. It is exciting for John Deere to contribute to such a worthwhile program.”
John Deere donated the use of equipment to help Mill Cove Golf Club prepare its course for upcoming tournaments and will also raffle off an LT150 riding lawn tractor during several tournaments at Mill Cove the week prior to the Super Bowl. Raffle proceeds will be presented to the Clara White Mission at the NFL Living Legends tournament on Friday along with an additional $10,000 contribution from John Deere.
“The Clara White Mission is thrilled that John Deere is supporting our Greater Expectations youth program,” said Ju’Coby Pittman-Peele, CEO/President of the Clara White Mission. “Our children are excited to have the opportunity to meet their favorite football players. John Deere’s support will help us serve even more young people than we planned.”
Tickets for the raffle will be sold at the Mill Cove Golf Club during the week of January 31, 2005.
Mill Cove Golf Club is one of four African-American-owned courses in the United States and the only one in Florida. It is an Arnold Palmer Signature Design course. John Deere (Deere & Company (NYSE:DE)) is the world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural and forestry equipment; a leading supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care; and a major manufacturer of construction equipment.
Source: John Deere
