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] or 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.
Surfing Championships this weekend at pier
The Florida Surfing Championships are coming to the Beaches Thursday-Sunday at the Jacksonville Beach Pier. The championships consist of 13 amateur divisions and four pro divisions with the chance to win more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. In conjunction with the championships, a Seawalk Celebration will be 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday at the Seawalk Pavilion.
With help from the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Girls Gone Green and the North Florida Land Trust, the celebration will be “green,” requiring all vendors to use only recyclable or compostable serving items.
The divisions include the $10,000 Goal Zero Pro, $2,500 House of Marley Junior Pro, $1,000 Flomotion Longboard Pro and $1,000 Viridian Women Pro. The Florida Surfing Association will also feature demonstrations from its summer programs, including the Special Olympics of Duval County, Wounded Warrior Project and Super Grom.
Volunteer opportunities are available. For more details about these events, and ways to get involved, visit ussurfingchampionships.com or floridasurfing.org.
Wine and art exhibition will benefit HEAL
Karen Thomas of Eleven South Bistro, artists and HEAL will host a wine and art exhibition from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Thomas’ home in Avondale.
Paintings donated from local artists Gary Mack, Henry Von Genk, Sandra Ingalls and Holly Blanton will be raffled off at the event. The artists also will be exhibiting several of their paintings for purchase.
Wine and appetizers catered by Eleven South Bistro will be served. Entry to the event is the purchase of at least one raffle ticket for $25. Purchase tickets at the door or through PayPal at HEAL’s website, healautismnow.org. Online ticket purchases close Wednesday.
Motorcyclists gear up for ‘Light the City’ charity ride
The Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police Foundation, Lodge 5-30 and North Florida Police Motorcycle, Inc. will present the Eighth Annual Police Motorcycle Charity Ride, Light the City at 7 p.m. Friday at Adamec of Jacksonville.
Rain or shine, the event – at 8909 Baymeadows Road – begins at 4:30 p.m. with check-in until 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35 for the driver and an additional $25 for a rider. Registration includes food prior to the event start, a T-shirt and a registration bag. An upgraded registration to the VIP level is $150 and includes a location in the front of the ride.
Tickets are available at:
• 8909 Baymeadows Road
• 1520 Wells Road
• 10399 Atlantic Blvd.
JASMYN prepares for coming out breakfast
JASMYN – the Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network – is a nonprofit youth center and advocacy organization providing support, leadership development, risk reduction, social opportunities and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. It will host the Annual Coming Out Day Breakfast from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Oct. 10 at the University Center of the University of North Florida. The event attracts corporate LGBT affinity groups and supporters and will feature Sharon Lettman-Hicks, executive director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, as keynote speaker.
Individual and table tickets can be purchased at comingoutdaybreakfast2012.eventbrite.com. For more information, visit jasmyn.org or call (904) 389-3857, ext. 205.
Tickets available for ‘Caring Chefs’ at The Avenues
Tickets for the Children’s Home Society of Florida 29th Annual Caring Chefs from 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at The Avenues mall are now on sale. Caring Chefs includes more than 60 restaurants, caterers and wine vendors.
Tickets are $60 per person and include admission, food, beverages and live music. To purchase tickets, visit chscaringchefs.com or call (904) 493-7739. Tickets can also be purchased at The Avenues mall guest services office.