The Daily Record invites the local nonprofit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and other information they believe would be of interest to our readers. Email to: [email protected].
Delores Barr Weaver center renovates classroom
The Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center renovated a room at George Washington Carver Elementary School for the organization’s Girl Matters program.
Arts Evolution renovated and redecorated a classroom for girls in the intervention program aimed to improve academic success and reduce school suspensions.
Arts Evolution founders Heather Moore and Christie Chandler dedicated months toward the transformation.
Moore painted, cleaned, organized and decorated the classroom, which now has a lounge area, a reading nook and a flower garden.
Chandler painted a mural in the hallway as a way to mark the space as a safe haven for girls to meet, share and learn leadership skills.
The policy center was established through a grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Its mission is to advance the rights of girls and young women, especially those in the justice system.
To learn more, visit seethegirl.org.
United Way looking for $10,000 idea
United Way of Northeast Florida invites local college students to submit ideas for social change through the organization’s app, Upstream.
The program, in its second year, will select 10 ideas and then pair each student team with a United Way Stein Fellow — a young professional business leader — for four months to develop the idea beginning Oct. 13.
Categories are education, financial stability, health and urban core improvement.
Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. Sept. 30 for a chance to win a $10,000 community service grant to further develop and implement an idea.
The project is endorsed by the JAX Chamber and sponsored by Brightway Insurance, Downtown Vision Inc. and Jacksonville Community of Entrepreneurs.
Applicants must be 18-24, enrolled at Jacksonville University or the University of North Florida and have at least two semesters remaining before graduation.
Visit unitedwaynefl.org/upstream for details.
Salvation Army needs volunteers for holiday duty
The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida is recruiting volunteers to help make possible its holiday programs.
The organization is known for its international Red Kettle campaign, which raises funds for holiday assistance to those in need, as well as year-round programs.
Bell ringers can volunteer at Publix and Winn Dixie locations in Duval County on Monday-Saturday from Nov. 10-Dec. 24.
Contact Kathy DeSiena at (904) 301-4852 or [email protected] to reserve a date and location.
Volunteers also are needed to help register applicants for Thanksgiving food baskets and the Angel Tree program, which provides toys and clothing to children in need.
Help is needed 8 a.m.-noon weekdays in October, plus Saturdays, Oct. 8 and 22.
Volunteers should contact Stephanie Arnold at (904) 301-4846 or [email protected].
The Salvation Army provides holiday food baskets to more than 1,600 families each year.
The organization will drop off and pick up collection barrels. A limited number are available.
To participate, call (904) 301-4782 or email [email protected].
BairFind honored by council
City Council presented The BairFind Foundation a resolution honoring the work of founder Dennis Bair and the organization.
Bair, a former minor league pitcher, established the group to place signs with photos of missing children and contact information in sports stadium concourses.
The resolution was introduced by council member Bill Gulliford and co-sponsored by Doyle Carter and Joyce Morgan.
It referenced BairFind partners Jacksonville Suns, team owner Ken Babby and the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
BairFind is a Homegrown Charity Partner of Minor League Baseball. The program expanded last season from 40 teams to 139 across the country.
This year about 500 children were featured on signs, resulting in over 37 million baseball fans seeing profiles of missing children. More than 150 of the children profiled were safely located.
Aetna Foundation gives $150,000 to nutrition initiatives
The Aetna Foundation awarded $150,000 to help two organizations aimed at improving the health and quality of life in the community.
St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach pediatric nutrition and wellness initiative received $100,000 to provide free consultation from a registered dietitian about exercise, nutrition and stress reduction for children in low-income neighborhoods.
Also, 2nd Mile Ministries received $50,000 for its Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids, which offers summer camps and year-round school programs to children in the Brentwood neighborhood.
Eating ribs for charity
For the eighth year in a row, Woody’s Bar-B-Q will celebrate its birthday by giving back to at-risk children in Northeast Florida.
Teaming with the University of Florida First Coast Child Protection Team, the restaurant will raise awareness and funds to support prevention and detection of child abuse and neglect.
Woody’s will commemorate 36 years of business Saturday with a five-minute spare rib-eating contest at the company’s flagship restaurant at 1680 University Blvd.
The VIP party is noon-2 p.m. with finger foods, birthday cake, a silent auction and live entertainment.
A minimum donation of $10 allows admission to the party. The proceeds will benefit the First Coast Child Protection Team.
A $50 donation scores a seat at this year’s eating contest. Last year’s champion devoured 18 ribs before the bell rang.
The winner will receive a $150 Woody’s gift card and the runner-up will get a $50 card. All contestants will receive an “I’m a Total Pig!” T-shirt.
Woody’s is seeking donations, sponsors, silent auction contributions and contest participants. Contact Director of Marketing Tammy Cipriani at (904) 992-0556, ext. 30 for details.