Beaches Residents Actively Supporting the Symphony presented a check for $110,000 to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra May 14 on the stage of Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.
The gift is the largest in the history of the group’s partnership with the symphony.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary during the 2015-16 season, the organization’s members support the orchestra through financial contributions and by promoting concert attendance.
They also encourage appreciation of fine music by bringing concerts to the Beaches, providing music education through a partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Florida and encourage and mentor young musicians with the BRASS Ring Student Music Competition.
Emergency treatment for St. Johns County pets
The St. Augustine Humane Society secured a $5,000 grant in 2014 from the Banfield Charitable Trust for the nonprofit’s veterinary assistance program and Cookie Jar Medical Relief Fund.
The yearlong Banfield funding supported St. Johns County pet owners in need of emergency medical care for their pets. The award helped 25 pets receive medical assistance for a variety of serious illnesses and conditions.
The grant helped a cat named Tigger with a serious infection on his leg that he had been suffering from for about a year.
Tigger’s owner had been trying to treat the wound because she was unable to bring the pet to a veterinarian due to a recent family tragedy and lack of finances.
Tigger’s wound cleared up temporarily with the owner’s care, but the infection returned so severely that Tigger needed emergency care.
The Banfield Charitable Trust funds covered the expenses and saved the cat’s leg from further infection and amputation.
The trust’s work focuses on pet advocacy and the prevention of pet homelessness, along with efforts to keep pets out of the shelter system.
Annually, the trust’s programs help approximately 100,000 people keep their pets through veterinary care assistance, pet food funding and Meals On Wheels organizations to deliver pet meals along with human meals to homebound seniors.
The St. Augustine Humane Society’s spay, neuter and surgery clinic is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday. The wellness clinic is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday. Pet owners must pre-register for spay and neuter surgery. For appointment scheduling and information call (904) 829-2737. Visit the website at staugustinehumanesociety.org.
FinFest Saturday at Timuquana Country Club
The Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center will be celebrating its fourth annual FinFest from 7-11 p.m. Saturday.
The event, FinFest 2015: Return to the River, will be at the Timuquana Country Club, 4028 Timuquana Road.
Myron and Amanda Pincomb are chairs for the event. Honorary co-chairs are John and Gena Delaney, Artis and Enola Gay Gilmore, Robert and Margaret Hill, and John Falconetti and Shannon Miller.
A silent auction will feature items including a diamond bracelet, sports memorabilia, an opportunity to swim with dolphins and a weeklong stay at Hammock Sunrise, a beach villa in Palm Coast.
Tickets are $100 for regular admission and $150 for VIP admission, which includes access to a VIP reception that begins at 6 p.m.
FinFest is supported by a grant from the Endowed $10,000 Grant Fund established this year by Delores Barr Weaver. The event raises money that helps the nonprofit Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center provide services to uninsured or underinsured members of the community with speech, language or hearing disorders.
Mike Howland, president and CEO of the center, said the facility served more than 5,200 people last year. Three-quarters were uninsured or underinsured, he said.
“This event helps us provide services such as hearing evaluations and hearing aid fittings, treatment for autism/pervasive development disorders, speech-language screenings and therapies,” he said.
For ticket information, contact Kristen Dietzen at (904) 355-3403 or email [email protected].
To make a donation to the silent auction contact Cathy Howland at (904) 355-3403 or email [email protected].
Run and walk on National Cancer Survivors Day
The Pink Ribbon Symposium will host a 5K Fun Run & Walk on National Cancer Survivors Day.
The event will be 8 a.m. June 6 at the Orange Park Kennel Club, 455 Park Ave.
Advance registration is $25 before June 5 and $35 the day of the race. Registration for the 1-Mile Survivor’s Walk is $8. Race-day packets will be available for pick up at the Orange Park Cancer Center the day before the race or at 7 a.m. the morning of the race.
All participants will receive a T-shirt along with food and beverages after the event.
Partners include platinum sponsor 21st Century Oncology; silver sponsors Orange Park Medical Center, Mazda City of Orange Park, Tom Bush BMW Orange Park, AARP Jacksonville; and bronze sponsors Clay Today, First Coast Heart & Vascular Center, National Cancer Survivors Day and Precision Natural Medicine.
For more information, visit pinkribbonsymposium.org or call (904) 385-7106.
Stellar awards scholarships to future engineers
Stellar, a firm focused on design, engineering, construction and mechanical services, awarded its annual scholarships to graduating Stellar Academy of Engineering seniors Mikayla Mitchell and Jensen Watterson.
The academy is a four-year engineering program at Nease High School that combines an intensive curriculum with real-world experiences.
The scholarship provides $1,000 to graduating academy seniors’ college tuitions. Mitchell plans to attend the University of Central Florida and Watterson plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University.
Stellar has provided more than $10,000 in scholarships to graduating academy seniors. For more information on the Stellar Academy of Engineering, visit nhs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/engineering/.
Davidson Cares donates $30K to local schools
Davidson Cares, the nonprofit program of Davidson Realty Inc., joined with Investing In Kids to provide $30,000 in grants to St. Johns County public schools.
Davidson Cares earned $15,000 through fundraising efforts during the 2014-15 school year, which was matched by Investing In Kids for a total of $30,000.
Mill Creek, Wards Creek and Palencia elementary schools and Pacetti Bay Middle School each received $7,500.
Mill Creek plans to use the funds to maintain a teacher training program focused on literacy, including instruction from literacy expert Debbie Miller.
Wards Creek will use the grant for its teacher development program based on Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
Pacetti Bay’s grant also is designated for its teacher development program.
Palencia will utilize the funds to buy science and literacy materials.