What impact has Greater Pensacola
Jets had on the Pensacola community
in the last year?
We have sponsored many charitable
events such as Sacred Heart Children’s
Hospital Christmas Toy Drive, Backpacks
for the Homeless (fi lled with toiletries,
clothing, and snacks) in early December,
we played in an annual Stop the Violence
basketball game that benefi ted at risk
youth, and we volunteered at the annual
DCF (Department of Children and
Family Services) Spring Fling. We offer
community service hours for approved
citizens who are trying to get their life
right.
What are some of the greatest
challenges your organization faces?
Funding and sponsorships is the biggest
challenge. The cost to run the team is less
than $6,000 a year, but we are so focused
on giving back to the community that
the players have to pay a fee each year so
that we can have an effective season, and
it would be nice to have that covered. We
do have sponsors that help us out, but of
course, a little more help is needed.
What is the most rewarding part
of your involvement with the
organization?
Seeing these young men succeed in life,
whether it’s playing college ball, or in the
Pros, or just to have gainful employment
and being a productive citizen. Also
to know that we help out people less
fortunate than us is a big payoff.
Describe a situation working with the
organization that really stood out and
touched you.
A couple of years back I was diagnosed
with soft tissue Sarcoma. I didn’t have
any insurance at the time due to a job
change, and the team and their families
raised money to help with the costs of
treatments, but I did not accept it because
there was a little angel named Sara who
was 10 years old battling Leukemia and
I gave it to her family because they were
struggling. My thoughts were, I have
lived a decent life so she deserves a chance
to live a long one as well.
Is Greater Pensacola Jets involved in
any upcoming events?
We will be volunteering at the Pensacola
double bridge run and at The Mardi Gras
Downtown Parade with the Krewe De
Gumbeaux. We will also be volunteering
at the Black Water Multi Festival at Bear
Lake in November.
Interview with Fred Barnett, Sr.
Founder, Owner, and Head Coach ~ Greater Pensacola Jets
Fred strives to teach the young men to succeed in life
and make it to the next level in everything they do.
March 3
March 10
March 17
March 24
April 7
April 14
April 21
May 5
May 12
May 19
Mid-State Vikings
@ Louisiana Tigers
Alabama Tigers
Metro Eagles
@ Tuskegee Arymen
Emerald Coast Scorpions
@ Gulf Coast Gators
@ Port City Saints
Mississippi Sting
@ Mobile Generals
Pensacola, FL
New Orleans, Louisiana
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Tuskegee, Alabama
Pensacola, Florida
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Mobile, Alabama
Pensacola, Florida
Mobile, Alabama
3:00pm
7:00pm
5:00pm
5:00pm
7:00pm
3:00pm
5:00pm
7:00pm
5:00pm
7:00pm
56-57 GiveCareShare - Greater Pcola Jets.indd 2
2/25/18 11:45 AM