MISSION STATEMENT
The Drayton Florence Foundation (DFF) was founded March 2005 to stimulate the positive development of youth and families through football, academic and other community outreach projects.
Raised in Ocala, FL, Drayton’s primary focus is to develop and fund programs to encourage Ocala area youth to set standards for themselves which will allow them to accomplish greater success in school, sports and life. In late 2005, foundation programs were expanded to San Diego, Drayton’s NFL community.
ANNUAL PROGRAM CALENDAR
The third annual Drayton Florence Celebrity Classic Weekend was a great success! Drayton, his family and his Foundation would like to thank all the sponsors who made it happen. A huge thanks goes out to the Ocala Star-Banner, Rondo's, Pepsi, Best Buy, Gatorade, Bernie Little Distributing and everyone else who worked so hard to make the weekend's events the best they could be. Proceeds from this year's Celebrity Classic Weekend will go towards the establishment of more Drayton Florence Technology Centers in Ocala. The first DFTC opened at the Ed Croskey Recreation Center in March 2007.
Player Pairings Party
The VIP Players Pairings Party, featuring both Live and Silent Auctions, is held in conjunction with the Celebrity Classic Weekend’s events to benefit the foundation. The party is held on the Saturday night before the golf tournament on Sunday. Super Bowl packages, sports memorabilia, youth clinics and more are auctioned live by Drayton and a special guest.
Drayton Florence Charity Golf Classic
Though the 1st Annual Drayton Florence Celebrity Golf Classic was postponed in 2005 due to inclement weather from Hurricane Dennis, the golf outing has since become a successful conclusion to the Celebrity Classic Weekend.
Back to School Backpack Drive
The Back to School Backpack Drive program serves more than 150 youth each year. Through the drive, the Drayton Florence Foundation provides Ocala-area children of families with low incomes with a backpack and grade level appropriate supplies. In addition, Drayton donates empty backpacks to the Ocala Recreation and Parks’ annual Backpack Jam.
Drayton Florence Technology Center
The purpose of the Drayton Florence Technology Center (DFTC) is to strengthen the educational preparation and motivation of socio-economically disadvantaged youth and young adults in Marion County. DFTC plans to provide students with the opportunity to learn and utilize technology in the advancement of their education and career objectives. Through DFTC, the foundation hopes to create a safe environment where it can educate, empower and foster the knowledge base of youth and young adults in a non-competitive, structured environment.
Thanksgiving” Warming” and Fun Football Day
The Drayton Florence Foundation holds an annual turkey drive each November to benefit socio-economically challenged youth and families. The Foundation works with corporate sponsors to purchase turkeys to be distributed at a public location. |
