The Boselli Foundation is a

501(c)(3) non-profit organization A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 501 ...

based in

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the most populous city proper in the state and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020. It is the seat of Duval County, with which the ...

. It is intended to provide academic and athletic support for local children, especially those with limited financial resources. Founded in 1995 by

Tony Boselli Don Bosco Anthony Boselli Jr. (born April 17, 1972) is an American former football tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football at USC, where he received th ...

, then a player for the

Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The team play ...

, and his wife Angi, it is one of the older "celebrity" charitable foundations in the

First Coast Florida's First Coast, or simply the First Coast, is a region of the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida. The First Coast refers to the same general area as the directional region of Northeast Florida. It roughly ...

area and replaces programs started by the now defunct

Otis Smith Kids Foundation The Otis F. Smith Foundation (and later, the Otis Smith Kids Foundation) was a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that partnered with targeted Jacksonville, Florida elementary schools to provide programs and services to disadvantaged children in th ...

. In 1997, Boselli was named the ''Jaguars True Value NFL Man of the Year'' for his community involvement with the Boselli Foundation. "Helping children become champions at home, school, and in the community" is the focus of all programs provided by The Boselli Foundation.

Activities

*The annual holiday ''Shop with a Jock'' event. *The Most Valuable Teacher Award (M.V.T.) was established in 1997 to recognize excellence in local public educators. The 2000 winner was Michelle Gaskins of Englewood High School, who received a $10,000 grant. Joey Wiles of

St. Augustine High School The name St. Augustine High School could refer to: In the United States: * St. Augustine Academy (Lakewood, Ohio) * St. Augustine High School (Laredo, Texas) * St. Augustine High School (New Orleans), Louisiana * St. Augustine High School (San Di ...

and Tikm Worsowicz of Forrest High School received $5,000 grants. *Christian Scholar-Athlete College Scholarships - On May 19, 2001, 10 full-tuition, four-year college scholarships were presented. *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. 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 building next door.First Coast News: July 18, 2008-Former Jaguar Tony Boselli Opening Another Learning Center
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References

External links

*{{official website, http://www.bosellifoundation.com Non-profit organizations based in Jacksonville, Florida Children's charities based in the United States Foundations based in the United States Organizations established in 1995 1995 establishments in the United States