LB Shelton Quarles had the support of several teammates at his luncheon on Tuesday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers past and present gathered at a luncheon this week to help Pro Bowl linebacker Shelton Quarles recognize Bay area students and business leaders for their work in the classroom and the community.
Several of Quarles's current teammates served as table hosts at the event, and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Lee Roy Selmon was on hand to deliver the keynote address.
The Shelton Quarles IMPACT Foundation hosted the Extra Effort Awards Luncheon in the West Club at Raymond James Stadium on Tuesday. At the luncheon, two high school students were awarded college scholarships and two area businessmen received recognition for the charitable contributions they provide to the community.
Quarles has been one of the team's most dedicated community servants for years, but this is the first year his newly-formed foundation awarded scholarships to deserving Bay area students. Based on grade point average, financial need and extracurricular involvement, the foundation chose Christina Braddy of Sickles High School and Danny Bone of Robinson High School to be the inaugural scholarship recipients. Quarles hopes to make the 'extra effort' scholarships an annual commitment.
"Everybody has a need, and for me to be able to help out with the things that they're going through is important," he said. "I'm looking forward to giving them the scholarships and hopefully renewing it next year."
Braddy has plans to use the scholarship to attend either Florida State or Florida International University. After the ceremony, she was both excited and appreciative about the award.
"I feel very blessed," she said. "I just feel blessed and very thankful that I got the award."
Bone has his sights set on attending either Florida International University or the University of West Florida. He felt honored to receive a scholarship for his diligence in the classroom.
"I feel honored, definitely," said Bone. "It makes me feel proud to be recognized for working hard in school."
Carl Jablonski and Donald Wallace, local business leaders, each received an award based on their individual commitments to the Tampa Bay community.
Wallace, CEO of Lazy Days RV, spoke afterwards about his award and the importance of giving back to the community.
"First of all, I'm honored," he said. "We're very blessed, and I'm glad to be able to do the things we do in the community. I think more importantly, though, I'm glad to see guys like Shelton who are willing to take the time and give back. I'm glad to see he is part of our community."
After lunch, Selmon delivered a brief speech based on the motto of the IMPACT Foundation: "Tackling the Problems of Families in Need." He spoke about the importance of family and the need for families to come together in an attempt to combat the negative influences on youth in today's society.
Derrick Brooks, Tim Brown, Keith Burns, Ken Dilger, Ryan Nece and Chris Simms were present at the luncheon to support Quarles and to congratulate the recipients of the Extra Effort Awards.
