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Highlighting Jacksonville’s Philanthropic Community
As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this page that will each week chronicle the efforts of local nonprofit organizations. Bailey Publishing & Communications invites all members of the local nonprofit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and any other information they feel would be of interest to our readers. E-mail to: [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they try to continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
CFF hosting fundraiser at Sawgrass
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is hosting “The Single Greatest Night” presented by Harrell & Harrell and Southeast Spine & Rehabilitation Friday at Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa.
The event honors single men and women who have exemplified leadership qualities, are active in volunteer roles and have excelled in the Jacksonville business community. Each honoree has committed to raising a minimum of $1,500 for continued cystic fibrosis research and programs.
The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will include dinner, a cash bar, an awards presentation, bidding on exclusive auction items and the opportunity to mix and mingle with guests. Casey Black from Ch. 4 and Cole Pepper from AM-1010 will emcee the event.
Tickets are available for $75 in advance and $100 at the door. For tickets, call Liza Wrobel at 733-3560 or visit the event web site at http://nfl-cff.org/sgn. More information is also available at www.cff.org.
Also, the foundation raised more than $61,000 at its 8th annual Oldest City Red Trout Classic at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor in St. Augustine. Presented by PSS WorldMedical Inc., the tournament drew 22 boats and encouraged participants to “catch a cure” for cystic fibrosis.
“This event is a great way for participants to do something they love while raising money to fund medical research to find a cure for cystic fibrosis,” said Kevin English, senior vice president of supplier operations at PSS WorldMedical Inc., event sponsor. “It was an honor to sponsor this event again and I want to thank everyone who turned out, showed their support and made this another successful tournament for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.”
Fashion show to benefit Hubbard House
Fashion designer Erin Rossie Healy has collaborated with couturier Susan Perrone to create Rossie~Perrone Couture, a new collection that debuts Friday at the Artistree Gallery in Atlantic Beach.
The fashion show and after party, dubbed “Aurora Australis” (Latin for “southern lights”) is inspired by local artists, entrepreneurs and everyday people who are “working hard, creating and shining forth despite these tough financial times we’re in,” said Healy.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Hubbard House, a nonprofit agency that serves domestic abuse victims and their children in Duval and Baker Counties.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $25 and includes one complimentary cocktail. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling 534-1148.
Roller Derby game adds to reward fund
The Jacksonville RollerGirls have partnered with First Coast CrimeStoppers and Child Alert Center Charities to raise money in memory of Somer Thompson. The team will donate all proceeds from its Sunday bout at Mandarin Skate Station to First Coast CrimeStoppers in hopes of apprehending Somer Thompson’s murderer. A Duval County police officer will be onsite registering fingerprints of children into a database.
Founded in March 2006, the Jacksonville RollerGirls (JRG) are Jacksonville’s first and only all female flat-track roller derby league. Comprised of more than 50 skaters, the JRG are dispersed among three teams that compete on differing skill levels: the Duval Derby Dames, the River City Rat Pack and the All-Star traveling team, the New Jax City Rollers. The team and staff regularly make appearances at local events by donating time, labor and goods to the community and organizations such as The Blood Alliance, Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Halloween project raises more than $330k
Community Hospice’s fifth annual “Halloween Doors & More” featuring the new grown-ups-only Sneak-Peek Preview Party, raised more than $330,000 for its pediatric, Community PedsCare. A combined crowd of approximately 1,600 people attended the family gala or preview party held at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall. Community PedsCare is a pediatric palliative and hospice care program for local children suffering from life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
“The funds raised by the Halloween Doors & More event are significant to the operation of the Community PedsCare program, since the majority of the services provided by Community PedsCare are not reimbursed by private insurance or government sources,” said Community Hospice Foundation Executive Director DeAnn Collins. “Since the event started five years ago, total net proceeds are approaching $2 million. Even in a struggling economy, this gala of a different sort continues to attract the attendance and support of individuals and organizations within our community. It is a tribute to the care our community wants to give these families and to the commitment of our volunteers.”
Sponsors this year included the Arnold Family, AT&T, the Bower Family, Ch. 47, DuBow Family Foundation, Tabitha and Jim Furyk, FM-99.9, Lazzara Family Foundation, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mezza Luna Restaurant, Nemours Children’s Clinic, the Petway Family Foundation, PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Wives Association, Inc., PRI Productions, Linda and David Stein, Stellar Foundation, Dannehl and Kevin Twomey, UBS, University of Florida/Jacksonville Pediatrics, Vijay Singh Charitable Trust and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
More information about Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and its Community PedsCare program is available at www.communityhospice.com.
Mentor program reaches milestone
Take Stock in Children reached a milestone in its mentoring program by adding 100 new mentors and 45 new students at the annual Contract Signing Celebration. More than 1,000 Duval County students have participated in the comprehensive program that helps low-income children succeed by providing college and vocational scholarships, volunteer mentors, case managers, early intervention and long-term support. Currently, Take Stock in Children serves 450 students in more than 42 Duval County middle and high schools.
“Take Stock in Children is a solution to some of the most critical problems facing Florida including high dropout and high youth crime rates We attribute the success of our program to more than 10 years of a proven record to help low-income children graduate from high school, attend college, stay out of trouble, and become productive citizens. This year, 100 percent of our 83 seniors graduated with a standard high school diploma, compared to the county rate of 65 percent.
“Mentors are critical to the success of this program. They spend about one hour per week to change a child’s life by helping them build a solid foundation of values, establish goals, improve academic and life skills, and develop confidence through competence. We welcome those who are interested in becoming mentors to contact us. A donation of time can help a young person who needs a trusted friend, an advisor and a role model. Take Stock in Children mentors are literally shining stars that help students navigate the rough waters of childhood and adolescence,” said Judy Saylor, director of Take Stock in Children Duval.
For more information, visit www.takestockinchildren.org or call 338-9096.
Grant for nonprofit available
Three communications professionals in the Jacksonville area have pooled their resources to give one non-profit organization a dramatic design makeover. “We Inspire,” a grant program created by designer Emily Rawitsch, is taking applications from nonprofit organizations across the country and will award one winner a yearlong collaborative partnership, providing $75,000 in design, photography and web development services.
“When I brought Tiffany Manning and Fred Boyle on board, I knew that it was a great match,” said Rawitsch. “We are all passionate and motivated about our respective fields. Tiffany is an amazing commercial photographer, and Fred is a very savvy Web developer. All of our skills complement one another, which makes this collaboration so powerful.”
The grant asks “What do you inspire?” The organization that best answers that question will be awarded communication and marketing services including brand identity, print communication, Web communication and photography.
“The grant goes beyond just donating design,” said Rawitsch. “We are placing a large emphasis on education so the nonprofit can maintain their brand and build on the work of the grant into the future.”
Interested nonprofit organizations can review the terms of the grant and apply at www.we-inspire.org. Applications are due by Jan. 15 with the partnership set to begin in February.
Rawitsch is the owner and creative director at Studio Orange Design, an award-winning creative firm specializing in marketing design for print and web communications. Manning is the owner of Tiffany Manning Photography, a commercial studio specializing in lifestyle, portrait and fashion photography. Boyle is the owner of Subtle Technology, a web development company.