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Community Nutcracker gives $50,000 to area charities
Community Nutcracker Inc. distributed $50,000 in donations to eight area charities on April 12 at an event at the Florida Theatre. Dreams Come True was the featured charity and others were Community Hospice PedsCare, Designs from the HeART, Healing Every Autistic Life, Jacksonville Speech & Learning, Learn to Read, Sanctuary on 8th Street and WeCare Jacksonville.
Proceeds were raised from the 25th annual production, sponsored by Community First Credit Union, in December at the Florida Theatre. To date, Community Nutcracker Inc. has donated more than $600,000 to local nonprofits since 1993.
For 12 years, Community Nutcracker has worked directly with Dreams Come True to grant dreams to more than 35 children battling life-threatening medical conditions. This year’s donation will sponsor at least five more children.
Helen Albee, president of Community Nutcracker Inc., said the group was honored to continue the traditions of producing the Nutcracker Ballet and supporting nonprofits.
Ackerman Cancer Center hosts ‘Hug a Survivor’
Ackerman Cancer Center will host the 3rd Annual “Hug a Survivor” Festival from 9 a.m.-noon May 6 at Ackerman Cancer Center’s Mandarin office at Interstate 295 and San Jose Boulevard.
All proceeds will benefit the First Coast Cancer Foundation to help patients currently undergoing cancer treatment pay for treatment-related expenses.
The free event is open to the public and features gentle yoga sessions, art stations, health and wellness booths, music, games and raffles.
Businesses donating to the event include Chick-fil-A, the YMCA, The Well Bistro, CORA Health, Picasso’s restaurant, and A Fresh View.
Nonprofit partners include the American Cancer Society, Live for Today, the Christina Phipps Foundation, and In the Pink and the Mammoglams.
“We never lose sight of our patients or their journey, and at Hug a Survivor we celebrate patients, their families, and the cancer journey that brought them here,” said Scot Ackerman, medical director of Ackerman Cancer Center.
For more information, visit hugasurvivor.com.
14th Annual Putt N’ Crawl set for May 6
Buzz Media Group announced the 14th annual Putt N’ Crawl is scheduled from 1-7 p.m. May 6 in Jacksonville Beach.
It said 11 restaurants and bars along the beach will be turned into mini-golf greens to benefit Jacksonville charities including Ronald McDonald House, Giving Greens, Mission House, Foodies USA, American Lung Association, USO, Florida Urgent Rescue, Daniel Kids, Epitome of Class Sorority and Bunker Labs.
Sponsors include Wood, Atter and Wolf; Crick & Love; Yellowfin Realty; Jaxhomes.com; 7 Bridges Heating and Air; Champion Brands; and Client Focused Media.
Event organizer Mike White said the progressive course moves players through the 18 holes.
“We encourage everyone to dress in their most outrageous golf gear for a chance to win some prizes,” he said.
Golfers can sign in at Lynch’s Pub, Ocean Grille or Zeta Brewing Company and proceed to any of the hole locations. The holes are located at the three check-in locations, plus Flask and Cannon, V Pizza, Mango’s Bar, The Pier Cantina and Sandbar, The Tavern on 1st, The Wreck Tiki Lounge, Local’s Dock and Campeche Bay Cantina.
Each paying participant will qualify for drink specials with the official wristband and will get to putt on a hand-built putting green with the chance to win prizes. Participants can play in the tournament individually or as a foursome.
Tickets are available at puttncrawl.com for $20 each or can be bought the day of the event for $25 at some venues. Participants must be 21 years of age or older.
Hagan Ace Hardware ‘rounds up’ for Angelwood
Hagan Ace Hardware invites customers to ‘round up’ their dollars this week through Sunday to support Angelwood. Angelwood serves area children and adults living with developmental disabilities. Eight Hagan Ace Hardware store are participating in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Glen St. Mary, East Palatka, Green Cove Springs and Hilliard.
Jewish Family & Community Services sets fundraising record
More than 500 people attended the Jewish Family & Community Services Centennial Celebration on April 1 to honor the nonprofit’s 100 years of service.
The organization said the event was its most successful fundraiser to date, raising a record $200,000-plus to support the wide array of community services the agency provides.
CEO Colleen Rodriguez said the money will benefit its community services ranging from adoption coordination and foster care to mental health counseling and emergency financial assistance.
The Centennial Celebration was held at EverBank Field’s US Assure Club West with record attendance.
The organization plans to continue celebrating its centennial with events throughout the year, including the grand opening of a new headquarters building, the dedication of the first and only Holocaust memorial gallery between Orlando and Atlanta, and a family festival at the unveiling of renovations on its current building.
Guided by Jewish values, the local nonprofit’s mission is “helping people help themselves” no matter their faith or background. For more information, visit JFCSjax.org.
Community partners needed for summer free lunch program
The Jacksonville Children’s Commission is looking for community partners to help serve free lunches and snacks this summer to alleviate child hunger in low-income neighborhoods.
The commission, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will partner to provide nutritious snacks and lunches to Jacksonville children from June 5-Aug. 11.
A qualifying summer food site must be in an area where there is a school with at least 50 percent of its students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program, allow access to all neighborhood children, and provide the food for free.
Nutritionally balanced meals will be provided to all children regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin during summer vacation when school lunches are not available.
To apply to become a serving site this summer, visit the jaxkids.net Nutrition, Health & Nutrition, Summer Camp & Summer Food Service Program page and complete the online 2017 site application.
Each year, more than 12,000 Duval County children receive nutritious snacks and lunches at no cost to parents through the Summer Food Service Program.