Gilyard Group, two years later

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

Marshwan Gilyard might not have found a permanent home with an NFL team just yet, but one thing is for sure: He continues to give back to his permanent home — Flagler County.

After getting drafted in 2010, Mardy formed the Gilyard Group Foundation.

In its two years of existence, the foundation has provided dozens of Flagler County student-athletes with money, clothes and support to help them reach their dreams.

The first Gilyard Group Foundation scholarship, which was worth $1,000, was given to FPC’s Yeovanti Williams, who went on to play football at Jacksonville State University. Williams also got a laptop.

More than 30 Police Athletic League football players were given free Nike cleats for maintaining high honor roll.

A portion of State Road 100 was adopted by the Gilyard Group Foundation, and the group held its first cleanup in November 2011.

The group has donated money to Grace Community Food Pantry, the fund for Cooper Ascone, and the Sheriff’s Office’s Christmas With a Deputy program.

This year, the Gilyard Group Foundation will reward two $500 scholarships to graduating football players at FPC, who will continue on to play college football.

The Gilyard Group Foundation is always looking for volunteers, too.

Anyone interested can attend the meetings, which take place 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month, at the Government Services Building, in Bunnell.

Volunteers would be used to help with community cleanups and at events sponsored by the Gilyard Group Foundation, said Otis Gilyard, Mardy’s older brother.

“Mardy is doing well, and he continues to train and remain confident about his professional career,” Otis Gilyard said.

There is a lot to be said for Mardy’s dedication to the town he grew up in. He hasn’t had the easiest first three seasons in the NFL, but no one said it was going to be easy.

Despite struggles trying to make it as a professional football player, though, Mardy hasn’t forgotten where he came from.

And that says a lot about who Mardy is, and what Flagler County means to him.

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