JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It has become a tradition in Duval County.
Former Florida State and NFL player James Coleman is bringing his annual community giveback weekend back to Jacksonville.
It’s the way he is celebrating his 41st birthday.
There are two ways Coleman hopes to make a difference for kids about to start school.
The first way is by handing out around 1,200 backpacks on Saturday morning outside Long Branch Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“Everybody likes to show their wins on social media,” he said. “But real life is real life. There are people who are struggling. When they come through this line, we know that the world has beaten people up. So we have to be extra positive, extra nice.”
Coleman played fullback for Florida State. He scored 10 touchdowns in his collegiate career before playing a year with the New Orleans Saints in the NFL.
Coleman will be sharing his talent on Sunday when he hosts a free youth football camp for boys and girls between 6 and 16 years old from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mandarin High School.
“I do believe in paying it forward,” Coleman said. “If I can do a little bit to impact the world that is around my kids, then the world would be a better place. I am raising good kids, but I want people to see the example.”
This year marks the third year the drive-thru backpack giveaway is happening at Long Branch Elementary.
The school is expecting to have around 325 students enrolled to start the school year.
Corie James, the assistant principal, says events like this go a long way for students and parents.
“Students are able to start the year with a level playing field, have all of the supplies that they need,” James said. “Not worrying about what someone may or may not have. That gives him the confidence that they need in order to perform at their best and be as successful as possible. Because I am a parent and an administrator, I think it allows us to focus on being able to start day one with instruction. Making sure students have what they need, teachers are not with the burden of trying to figure out how they are going to staff their classrooms with the supplies and materials that students may or may not need.”
Long Branch Elementary School’s Principal, Dr. Frank Graham, sent News4JAX a statement praising Coleman for this annual event:
“I believe students that receive the supplies from the James Coleman Drive are better prepared for the start of school. I believe that those students that do not have the supplies, sometimes, are not as mentally prepared for the start of school as others. I think this serves as a hindrance for students, and I’m very grateful for the James Coleman book bag drive and other giveaways they have done as well. They have supported over a 1000 students in the Long Branch learning community alone. And we are blessed to have to have their support! They have really helped level the playing field as it pertains students. Students having the ability to start a school with peace of mind and the tools necessary to succeed are very significant!”
Jacksonville is not the only city where Coleman holds these community givebacks. He does the same thing in Orlando and in Tallahassee, his hometown.
