11/04 – The Jets continued to strengthen their involvement in the community last week as they visited Morristown Neighborhood House for the second year in a row. Neighborhood House was founded in 1898 as a settlement house that helped Italian immigrants become acclimated to their new culture. Since then, the Morristown Neighborhood House Association has expanded and is now a private, multifaceted, non-profit agency that provides childcare and other services for children and their families in the Morristown, N.J., area. Cornerback Ahmad Carroll, quarterback Brett Ratliff, linebacker Jason Trusnik and offensive lineman Robert Turner were on hand and tossed footballs around with the youngsters before talking to them about being successful in life. The boys and girls excitedly lined up to catch passes from the players, streaking over the Jets emblem that marks the center of the gymnasium – a reminder of the generous contribution toward the refurbishing of the gym that the Jets made a year earlier. Carroll told the kids that while everyone may not grow up to be professional athletes, being successful in life means finding something you enjoy doing and working hard at it. He also stressed some fundamentals to the kids. “Listen to your parents. Make your bed. Brush your teeth,” he said before making the kids repeat the mantra thrice.” “For the children, anybody that comes to show some special attention to them really means a lot,” said Steven Neblett, assistant executive director of Neighborhood House. “But then, when you get a celebrity or a professional football player to come here, it’s just extra special. You know, like icing on the cake and something that’s forever etched in their minds. “What it does is it helps reinforce what we try to teach the children in terms of you have to give back to your community. Even when we get the fourth graders to help the third graders, or get the third graders to read stories to the kindergarteners, it’s those type of values that we try to instill in the children. Again, this is reinforcement for what we’re saying, to actually see people from TV reach back to the community and try to make a difference.” Turner told the kids he was an education major and history minor while in school, and that he has his teaching certificate even though he was pursuing football, stressing the importance of an education. “I think it’s important because we’re a part of this community,” said Turner. “We’re a new family member in this community family, so the more we can get to know them and understand the backgrounds of each individual neighborhood, the better understanding we’ll have and maybe the more we can help, whether it’s with future community events or fundraisers — anything that we can do to help promote positive things in the community itself.” The excitement was contagious throughout the day. Some kids had even been anticipating the players’ second visit since last year. “We didn’t know we had so many kids that actually follow the Jets and watch the games on Sunday, so they were really pumped,” said Neblett. “A lot of them also remember when some of the players were here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony almost a year ago today.” “They look up to us as role models, whether it’s football or whether it’s making it through your education," said Trusnik. "So I like to be a role model for these kids and also it makes me happy. It makes me want to come out here and put smiles on these kids’ faces because then in return it puts a smile on my face.” Programs funded by the New York Jets Foundation touch the lives of countless young men and women in the tristate 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 eight years the Jets and their charitable foundation have donated or contributed more than $8 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 to eat right and move more, and supporting the efforts of the Alliance for Lupus Research, the New York Jets invest in programs 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.

Returning to Morristown and 'the Neighborhood'

11/03 – From their home at the Atlantic Health Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., the Jets are engaged in public service projects, both in New Jersey and in New York City. In New York, the Jets organization again partnered with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to convey important messages about health, safety, education and voter awareness. “The 311 system has made it possible for millions of New Yorkers to navigate the municipal landscape and get quick action on their questions or concerns," said team executive vice president Matt Higgins. “Our players are proud to lend their voices to 311 by providing public service announcements." “Not only are each of these players role models on the field, but by lending their voices for important PSAs, they are providing a great service to our community and our city,” said Mayor’s Fund president Megan Sheekey. “We are grateful to the New York Jets for once again helping to get the word out about important issues and public services.” “Being asked to participate in this program again this year was an honor,” said Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson. “Through these messages about very important topics, I hope that we are helping to change the lives of many New York City residents.” The public service announcements, which will air on Radio New York (91.5 FM), Radio NYC and possibly other networks, feature Jets players James Dearth, Nick Mangold, Brandon Moore, Kerry Rhodes, Brad Smith, Chansi Stuckey, Wallace Wright and Ferguson. For many of the players, it was their second time volunteering to share their voices for this city outreach effort. In New Jersey, the Jets have donated their time and voices to build awareness for 2-1-1 First Call for Help, a statewide information and referral service implemented through a strong partnership with United Way. These public service announcements support the community by directing residents to 2-1-1 for help in gaining access to resources and necessary services. “It is an honor to participate in this program,” said Mangold, who recorded a public service announcement as part of this effort. “These topics are not only important to the residents of Morris County, but many of these issues we all face every day.” An easy-to-remember, universally recognized telephone number, 2-1-1 provides New Jersey residents with a free and confidential connection to the services they need. Multilingual certified call specialists are also available to make appropriate referrals to community-based organizations and governmental agencies. Each year thousands of New Jersey residents are connected to health and human services, community resources, and government assistance thanks to the services provided by 2-1-1 First Call for Help. United Way of Morris County will be reaching out to local radio stations to air these announcements featuring the Jets with the goal of reaching as many New Jersey listeners as possible. The New York Jets take pride in playing an active role in making a year-round commitment to our community. Programs funded by the New York Jets Foundation touch the lives of countless young men and women in the tristate area. Realogy Corporation, a premier global provider of real estate and relocation services, and its subsidiary company Burgdorff Realtors ERA are title sponsors for all of the Jets' community relations programs. Over the past eight years, the Jets and their charitable foundation have donated or contributed more than $8 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 to eat right and move more, and supporting the efforts of the Alliance for Lupus Research, the New York Jets invest in programs 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.

Jets Helping People to Dial Up Help in NY, NJ

11/03 – The New York Jets in conjunction with Burgdorff Realtors ERA and A-1 First Class-Viking Moving and Storage will hold their annual food drive to benefit the Interfaith Nutrition Network on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Meadowlands before the Jets' 1 p.m. kickoff against the St. Louis Rams. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations that will be collected at all gates upon entering the stadium. The Interfaith Nutrition Network (The INN), founded in 1983, addresses the issues of hunger and homelessness on Long Island by providing food, shelter, long-term housing and supportive services in a dignified and respectful manner for those who seek their help. They are a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization with a dedicated staff, a broad base of community support and a commitment to educate the public about these issues. WHO: New York Jets and their loyal fans WHAT: Non-perishable food drive to benefit the Interfaith Nutrition Network WHERE: The Meadowlands WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. WHY: To benefit the Interfaith Nutrition Network and help the fight against hunger Programs funded by the New York Jets Foundation touch the lives of countless young men and women in the tristate 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 eight years, the Jets and their charitable foundation have donated or contributed more than $8 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 and supporting the efforts of the Alliance for Lupus Research, the New York Jets invest in programs 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.

Make a Donation at Jets' Annual Food Drive