Pet Paradise Resort, a Jacksonville-based pet boarding, day camp and grooming company, donated $15,000 to four nonprofit through its “Life is Short, Make a Splash” giving back campaign.
Pet Paradise held a Facebook contest this summer for followers to vote for their favorite nonprofit, which could win up to $10,000. Voting was open from June 1-July 31 with the option to choose among 72 nominated charities.
Communities throughout the United States participated in the campaign with more than 185,000 votes, doubling last year’s total votes.
The Mr. Mo Project won the first place donation of $10,000. The project is run by Rowdy To The Rescue, a nonprofit responsible for saving shelter dogs with a focus on finding senior dogs a home. All dogs in program receive assistance with veterinarian medical bills and free transportation to the right home. The Mr. Mo Project has rescue affiliates in New York, Florida and Ohio.
Darlington County Animal Rescue in South Carolina won $3,000 for second place, Carolina Waterfowl Rescue in North Carolina won $1,000 in third place and The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jacksonville received an extra award of $1,000.
Ward to be honored by local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation chapter
Michael J. Ward, chairman and CEO of CSX Corp., will be presented with the Living and Giving Award Oct. 10 at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation North Florida Chapter’s 15th annual Miracles Gala.
The black tie-optional event at the Sawgrass Marriott, emceed by First Coast News anchor Patty Crosby, will help advance the foundation’s mission of curing type 1 diabetes.
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact that type 1 diabetes can have on individuals and their families. It’s an important cause to many employees at CSX. I want to help put JDRF out of business by finding a cure and that’s the goal of this gala,” Ward said.
This year’s gala theme is “One Night in Paris.” The evening will feature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, silent and live auctions, Fund A Cure program, music and dancing. Presenting sponsors are Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and CSX Corp.
Ticket information is available at tinyurl.com/2015jdrfgala.
Local company lights up Daniel Kids
V-Blox Corp. upgraded one cabin on Daniel Kids campus to energy-efficient Lifetime Lights LEDs — an effort that will provide more effective lighting for the young men living in the cabin, as well as help the organization save on energy costs.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that residential LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.
The donation and installation valued at $7,500 included indoor lights and outdoor floodlights surrounding the cabin.
The residents of the cabin are participants in the nonprofit’s statewide in-patient psychiatric program, which provides children exhibiting the most severe symptoms of mental and emotional distress with therapeutic residential treatment over four- to six-month periods.
Established in 1884, Daniel is Florida’s oldest child-service agency. It assists an average of 2,000 children and families each day through a range of programs.
For more information, visit DanielKids.org.
Realtors rally for Dreams Come True
The real estate professionals at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty donated a record $61,438 over the past two years to Dreams Come True, a nonprofit dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses.
Berkshire Hathaway’s fundraising effort for Dreams Come True began in August 2013 as part of the company’s 25th anniversary year.
The Northeast Florida real estate firm set a goal of raising $25,000 in one year for the nonprofit, pledging to donate a percentage of each home sale to Dreams Come True.
By August 2014, the company had raised more than $30,500. Funds sponsored numerous dreams for children including all-expense paid vacation packages to theme parks and attractions, such as Disney World, for a child and his or her family.
Established in 1984, Dreams Come True has granted more than 3,300 dreams for children battling life-threatening illnesses in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
More information is available at dreamscometrue.org.
Walk for children with apraxia
The First Coast Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech is Nov. 14 at The Bolles School. All proceeds will benefit apraxia programs and research of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a neurological speech disorder in children. The disorder makes it difficult or impossible for children to accurately produce sounds, syllables and words despite having a good understanding of language.
The walk is open to adults and children. Anyone interested in registering, making a donation, or learning more about the event can contact [email protected] or visit the event website at casana.apraxia-kids.org/jacksonvillewalk.
Rescue Mission golf tournament Monday at TPC
City Rescue Mission will host the annual Champions Challenge Golf Tournament on Monday at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach. The tournament raises money to fund programs and initiatives that help the homeless and needy in Northeast Florida. City Rescue Mission does not receive any local, state or federal funding and partnered with more than 25 Jacksonville businesses to take part in this year’s tournament.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the event or donating items for an auction can obtain additional information at crmjax.org/news-events/players-championship-sawgrass-2015/.
Justice Coalition dinner Nov. 5
The Justice Coalition announced the 2015 Champions for Justice Awards Dinner will be Nov. 5 at The Potter’s House at 5119 Normandy Blvd. The annual event is a fundraiser for the organization and an opportunity for the Justice Coalition to honor some heroes in Northeast Florida.
Each year, the organization chooses an outstanding citizen, business leader and government official who work for victims’ rights and help fight crime. Sheriffs from Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties will choose an individual in their county to receive the Sheriff’s Choice for Extraordinary Citizen Award.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at numerous levels, from the $20,000 Presenting Sponsor to the $1,000 Table Sponsor. Any business or individual interested in sponsoring the event should contact the Justice Coalition at (904) 783-6312 or email Roxy Tyler at [email protected].
The Champions for Justice Dinner, originally named the Ted Hires Legacy Dinner, was established in 2009 by the Justice Coalition and community leaders to honor Justice Coalition founder Ted Hires by recognizing those who work for victims’ rights, crime prevention and crime fighting. The event helps the Justice Coalition raise funds to carry on its mission of assisting victims and their families in Northeast Florida.
For more information, visit
justicecoalition.org or call
(904) 783-6312.