FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2008

Contact: Keli Coughlin, Tom Coughlin Jay Fund,
904-543-2599 or 904-465-4044
keli@tcjayfund.org

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Announces it’s “Now and Forever” Capital Campaign on eve of 4th Annual Wine Tasting Gala

Jacksonville- Countless families in the greater Jacksonville area who have a child battling cancer will be assisted by the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund long into the future if the “Now and Forever” campaign is a success. Superbowl Champion Coach of the New York Giants, Tom Coughlin, announced last evening that the foundation which he founded in 1996 is undertaking a campaign to raise $5 million for and endowment fund which will provide funds strictly for grant making.

The “Now and Forever” Campaign is off to a great start. In its quiet phase the Jay Fund has already received $3 million in pledges. Major donors to date are Gary and Nancy Chartrand, Robert and Margaret Hill, the PLAYERS and Tom and Judy Coughlin themselves. The Jay Fund now goes public with the campaign and will begin reaching out to both individuals and corporations for support in hopes to raise the remainder of the $5 million by the end of 2008. “For as long as there are children battling cancer in the Jacksonville area, the Jay Fund wants to be able to provide support to them and their families so they can focus on getting well,” says Coughlin.

This announcement “kicks off” the campaign as well as a full weekend for the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund. The 4th Annual Wine Tasting Gala at the Modis Building takes place this evening from 6-9pm. All 800 tickets for the event were sold. Dozens of Jacksonville’s best restaurant will be serving cuisine, over 100 wines from all over the world will be offered, there will be live music, a silent auction, and celebrity guests in attendance. The evening is sure to be a fantastic celebration that will raise funds for the cause.

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation was created by Tom Coughlin in honor of Jay McGillis. Jay was a very special young man who was a member of Coughlin’s team at Boston College and developed leukemia. Jay lost his battle, but the courage, compassion and faith he demonstrated during the course of his illness were an inspiration to many people.

The mission of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation is to assist children with leukemia and other cancers and their families by providing emotional and financial support to help reduce the stress associated with treatment and improve their quality of life. To date over $2 million dollars has been contributed by the Jay Fund to families when they need it most.

For more information visit us online at www.tcjayfund.org or call 904-543-2599.