For the News-Leader
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Pictured are, from left, Kayla Vanderlaan, Gator Bowl; Danielle Loudermilk, principal at Hilliard Elementary; Whitney Jones, assistant principal at Hilliard Elementary; Gil Langley, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; Katie Cox, Gator Bowl; Maurie Dugger, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Susan Evans, First Coast Blessings in a Backpack. Submitted photo -
Pictured are, back row from left, Maurie Dugger, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; Katie Cox, Gator Bowl; Gil Langley, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; and, first row, students from Hilliard Elementary School. Submitted photo -
Students from Hilliard Elementary School with positive messages. Submitted photo -
Thank you, Notre Dame! Pictured are students from Hilliard Elementary School. Submitted photo -
You are Loved. Submitted photo
The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council, the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and the First Coast Blessings in a Backpack joined together Feb. 16 at Hilliard Elementary School to present 50 awesome kids with a special backpack of their own. For years, the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (AICVB) has been a supporter of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, and First Coast Blessings in a Backpack is a charitable partner. This year, Amelia Island had the pleasure of hosting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team at the Omni Amelia Island Resort during the holiday season while the team was in the region for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. AICVB joined the Fighting Irish to pack more than 550 Notre Dame backpacks with snacks, treats and positive messages written by the players to be delivered to children throughout the First Coast.
For the first time, AICVB was able to ensure that Nassau County children benefitted from the program, as well. Students at Hilliard Elementary were nominated by their teachers and their principal, Danielle Loudermilk, to participate in this kickoff program, and the AICVB was pleased to introduce the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl to these students, share with them the Notre Dame backpacks and tell them about the special messages these players sent each of the students.
The AICVB has a long tradition of being a thoughtful and involved community partner, knowing the impact tourism has on the community and, in turn, its children. As such, AICVB is committed to providing thought leadership and assistance in areas across the county and looks forward to supporting the launch of a Blessings mission in Nassau County.
