As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this feature that each week reports the efforts of local nonprofit organizations and the individuals and businesses that support them.
Bailey Publishing & Communications invites all members of the local nonprofit community to email news, announcements and success stories to: [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Salvation Army needs turkeys
The Salvation Army has issued a call to residents of North Florida to remember the needs of the less fortunate this Thanksgiving and provide donations of turkeys.
The Salvation Army is accepting turkeys purchased from local supermarkets or cash donations.
“We are so grateful to those friends in our community who have stepped forward with faithful support for families and individuals struggling to make ends meet,” said Maj. Dean Hinson, area commander.
Last year, the nonprofit used about 800 turkeys for the Thanksgiving food box and homeless meal programs.
“Everyone has been affected by the economy. Many companies just can’t donate the way they have in the past,” said Hinson.
Turkeys may be delivered to the nonprofit’s Towers Memorial Social Services Center at 900 W. Adams St.
For more details, call (904) 301-4780.
Visit Jacksonville supports Toys for Tots
Visit Jacksonville has partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps to be a collection site for the Toys for Tots campaign during November and December.
The collection campaign kickoff is Wednesday during the “Movember” First Wednesday Art Walk Downtown with a bake sale at the Visitors Center at 208 N. Laura St.
From Nov. 7-Dec. 21, donors can drop off new, unwrapped toys at the same location. All toys collected during the campaign are distributed as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.
For more information about donations, contact the Visitor Information Department at (904) 798-9111 or email [email protected].
Interfaith service Nov. 15
OneJax, an institute of the University of North Florida that promotes respect and understanding among religions, races and cultures, will hold its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude Service on Nov. 15 at the Milne Auditorium and Chapel, 1638 Kings Road, at Edward Waters College.
“This year marks the 94th observance of this service. Each November since 1918, people representing many faith traditions have gathered for this event to express thanks in a manner which transcends our differences and promotes the unique gifts of our faiths. We look forward to celebrating our common humanity and all we have to be grateful for with the entire community,” said OneJax Executive Director Celeste Kruger, who announced the event.
The service will include a processional of faith leaders and clergy. Expressions of thanks from each faith will follow, with many presented in the native tongues of their faiths.
The Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Native American faiths will be among those participating in the service.
As in previous years, those attending the service are encouraged to bring canned goods to support the Second Harvest North Florida food bank. Second Harvest again anticipates an increase in demand during the Thanksgiving and holiday season.
The service at 6 p.m. is free and open to public. A fellowship reception will follow the service.
For more information, call (904) 620-1529 or visit onejax.org.
Annual sweater drive under way
WJCT-TV and VyStar Credit Union are asking the community to contribute new and nearly new sweaters, jackets and blankets for the 10th Annual Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive, which lasts through Nov. 30.
Blankets and children’s sweaters are especially needed, but all contributions are welcome.
Contributions will be donated to the St. Vincent’s Mobile Outreach Ministry, Sulzbacher Center, Clara White Mission and other local nonprofits.
Community members can drop off contributions at: WJCT, 100 Festival Park Ave.; Two Men and a Truck, 8849 Arlington Expressway; and all VyStar locations.
For more information, including drop-off points and school participation forms, visit wjct.org or call (904) 358-6322.
In the past 10 years, the community has contributed nearly 90,000 sweaters, jackets and blankets.
The annual sweater drive honors the life and work of the late Fred Rogers, whose long-running PBS program “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” revolutionized children’s television.
“The cardigan sweater has come to represent the gentle spirit, warmth and nurturing of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. After 10 years, Fred Rogers’ message of caring and consideration still resonates deeply with First Coast community members, inspiring them to reach out to neighbors in tribute to his memory. The values that children learn from Fred Rogers and his program are timeless,” said Michael Boylan, WJCT president and CEO.
Bike 26.2 with Donna
The 4th Annual Bike 26.2 with Donna, presented by Amgen Breakaway from Cancer, is Sunday at Veterans Park in St. Johns County.
This year, cyclists will be able to choose their distance options of 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles or 52.4 miles for the event.
The 26.2-mile and 52.4-mile courses are complete single loops with safe, challenging hills. The 13.1-mile course is an out and back design, for beginners.
Bike 26.2 with Donna is a cycling event to raise funds for breast cancer research and support the needs of those living with it.
Cyclists can register online at breastcancermarathon.com as a single rider or as a team of 10 or more riders.
Registration for the event includes a gender-fitted event shirt and post-ride celebration with cookout, awards and gifts to the top breast cancer survivor of the 26.2 mile ride.
Awards also will be presented to the top male and female finishers of all divisions, in addition to drawings.
Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m. and the race will start at 7:30 a.m.
Bike 26.2 with Donna is an official event of 26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer. The 26.2 with Donna mission is to produce world-class events to raise funds for breast cancer research and empower those living with it.
Seventy percent of race proceeds will fund cancer research at Mayo Clinic. The remaining 30 percent will be provided to The Donna Foundation to help breast cancer patients with critical financial needs.
Give blood and help 10 people
Supporting The Blood Alliance means a donor can help 10 people with one blood donation.
The alliance is donating $1 to the Second Harvest North Florida food bank for each blood donation made at any donor center throughout November.
One blood donation saves three lives, and in November the $1 donation will generate seven meals — or the equivalent of more than two days of food — to a person in need.
The promotion does not include blood drives on bloodmobiles.
To find a donor center or an appointment to donate, visit igiveblood.com, use the iDon8 iPhone and Droid app or call toll free, (888) 998-2243.
All those who register to donate through Jan. 18 will be entered into a drawing for a 2013 Buick Verano, compliments of Nimnicht Buick/GMC.