Thirteen local children became part of a team Aug. 7, thanks to a partnership between the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and Dreams Come True.
A press conference was held just outside the Gator Bowl headquarters in the shadow of EverBank Stadium in downtown Jacksonville, where the children were announced and signed their certificates to officially be a member of the group.
“With this starting seven years ago, I’ve been able to see this thing really grow and the opportunities that we’ve been able to offer locally by taking advantage of the Gator Bowl being here,” Gator Bowl Sports Chairman Alan Worley said.
Each member of the team is or has battled various forms of illness and their families were in attendance to share in the moment.
The 2023 “Dream Team” consists of Willie Barber, 10; James Clarkson, 9; Jack Coleman, 15; Savannah Gainey, 8; Blake Hunter, 9; Makenna Jobes, 17; Sammy Macauley, 16; Chase Seguin, 10; Jaxon Taylor, the youngest at 6 years old; Mary Taylor, 16; Shane Taylor, 7; Jasel Williams, 17.
The team has been going on as a marquee program for Gator Bowl Charities for the past
According to Dreams Come True executive director Sheri Criswell, the dream team initiative is one of her favorites each year since its formation in 2017.
“One of the reasons I love this so much, is because so many of the things we do are very individualistic, but this allows these kids to really have this synergy together amongst the team,” Criswell said. “It really serves as a little support group with those who can also relate, which is great. We’ve even had some best friends form as a result of being part of the team.”
The team member experience will include an array of opportunities throughout the upcoming football season, including the chance to travel down to Gainesville to scout a game at the University of Florida and take part in monthly Gator Bowl Sports membership events where they will distribute their “rookie year” playing cards.
Special “Dream Team” jerseys will be worn at these events, but at the end of the college football season, they will graduate from their jerseys and be officially granted TaxSlayer Gator Bowl green jackets similar to the ones that members of the bowl game’s committee members wear.
Their jam-packed football season will conclude by meeting players and cheerleaders from the two teams that earn a spot in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, as well as being honored on the field during the game on Dec. 29.
Many of the team members enjoy watching and playing sports and you could see on their faces the emotion and excitement as they sat there waiting to sign their name.
“He loves sports, so this will be just a wonderful experience for him,” said Arsenio Ferguson, Willie’s dad.
According to Breana Ferguson, they had heard about the dream team, but they were surprised and did not expect to have a big press conference.
“It’s definitely an eye-opener to see the amount of people and support that are out there helping us,” Arsenio Ferguson said. “Seeing these other families reminds you that you’re not alone in this fight.”
As part of Gator Bowl Charities’ outreach, Dreams Come True is just one of more than 100 local organizations and schools partnered with across Northeast Florida to help impact the lives of roughly 4,500 youth annually.
“Days like this really put into perspective the ways we can give back to the community and how important it is that we do give back,” Worley said. “Forty-five hundred kids is pretty impactful.”
