Kathryn Thomas, founder and executive director of Yoga 4 Change, received a $5,000 grant from the Bunker Builds America Tour pitch competition.
Thomas is a U.S. Navy veteran who flew helicopters while on active duty. She founded Yoga 4 Change in 2014 after being medically retired.
“This award will help our clients who do not normally have access to yoga and therefore do not experience the positive benefits of the practice. The award will also help provide additional training for our teachers, to help them understand the needs of our clients,” Thomas said.
Yoga 4 Change is a Jacksonville nonprofit with the mission “to heal and empower veterans, incarcerated individuals, vulnerable youth and those suffering from substance abuse through a purpose-driven yoga curriculum.”
The event was organized by Bunker Labs, a national not-for-profit built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other veterans as leaders in innovation.
Thomas accepted the award Nov. 17 at Level Office Downtown, the eighth stop on the 12-city Bunker Builds America Tour presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
The program is supported by a two-year, $1.5 million commitment from JPMorgan Chase.
Ash Properties seeking toys for Wolfson patients
Ash Properties is asking customers to join a drive to collect Christmas gifts for patients at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Ash Properties has partnered with Christ’s Starfish Foundation, Atlantic Self Storage and the Beach Boulevard Flea Market for the annual toy drive.
Until Dec. 10, new, unwrapped toys can be taken to any of the 44 Atlantic Self Storage locations to help make Christmas better for children who will spend their holiday in the hospital.
To find an Atlantic Self Storage location, visit atlanticselfstorage.com.
Southeastern Grocers adds Feeding America as charity partner
In honor of Giving Tuesday, Southeastern Grocers announced Feeding America, the largest U.S. hunger relief organization, as an official charity partner.
The company will donate 5 cents to Feeding America for every loaf of SE Grocers brand sandwich bread purchased by customers through Nov. 24.
Southeastern Grocers is the parent company of Bi-Lo, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie stores.
Customers can also go online to find information on the partnership at winndixie.com/feedingamerica, bi-lo.com/feedingamerica, frescoymas.com/feedingamerica or harveyssupermarket.com/feedingamerica.
$10,000 in grants from new Lucky’s Market
Lucky’s Market, a natural foods grocer, is opening Dec. 7 at 580 Atlantic Blvd. in Neptune Beach.
Opening day activities will include presentation of more than $10,000 in Impact Grants through the Lucky’s Community Project to support two local nonprofits.
Donations will be made to the Women’s Center of Jacksonville to help support women and children with the textbooks, workbooks and supplies needed for one year of instruction, and to Rethreaded to help ensure survivors of the sex trade have the resources they need to continue on their path of success.
Through May 20, shoppers reusing their shopping bags can choose to get a 10-cent credit on their purchase or send a donation to St. Johns Riverkeeper, Girls on the Run or BEAM.
For more information, visit luckyscommunityproject.com.
St. Johns River documentary now online
A new documentary, “Troubled Waters: Connections and Consequences,” is available at stjohnsriverkeeper.org.
It was created to raise awareness about pollution that threatens the St. Johns River and Florida’s waterways and to serve as a rallying cry for citizen action throughout the state.
The documentary was produced by Ray Hays of PRC Digital Media, who also produced the award-winning documentaries, “The Green Monster” and “Revenge of the River.”
Some of the more than 30 people featured in the program are former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham; state Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville; City Council President Lori Boyer; Lisa Rinaman, the St. Johns Riverkeeper; and Quinton White, executive director of Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute.
St. Johns Riverkeeper is planning public screenings of the documentary.
Organizations interested in hosting a screening should contact [email protected].