The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus is partnering with A Social Affair Dance Studio for Jacksonville’s Dancing With the Stars at 8 p.m. June 4 at Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Times-Union Center for Performing Arts.
The event will feature local celebrities partnered with professional dancers.
The celebrity dancers are:
• Deanna Brown, Ullmann Financial Group Inc.
• Nancy Chartrand, The Chartrand Foundation
• Keith Copeland, software consultant
• Melanie Cost, CSX
• Jill Evans, IPC Healthcare
• Dane Grey, Elite Parking Services of America Inc.
• Jake Gordon, Downtown Vision Inc. CEO
• State Rep. Charles McBurney
• Annie Tinker, fitness trainer and wife of Jacksonville Jaguars player Carson Tinker
The celebrities will compete for votes, which in turn raise funds for the Children’s Chorus.
Fifty percent of the votes will be from the panel of judges. The remaining 50 percent will be from the audience and public by voting with a cash contribution.
Votes are $1 each. Pre-purchased votes will be placed in the celebrity star ballot boxes. Voting will take place prior to and during the event.
Tickets will soon be on sale from $35 to $150 and can be purchased online, by phone or mail. Visit JaxDWTS.com for details.
Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Chorus, a nonprofit professional children’s chorus. The mission of the Children’s Chorus is to provide music education for children of diverse backgrounds and foster teamwork, self-discipline, accomplishment and pride while filling a cultural need in the community.
Founded at Jacksonville University with 16 voices, the chorus’ program now impacts more than 500 area children annually from a diversity of racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
Blood donors join 100-gallon club
On March 2, five local donors reached a combined total of more than 450 gallons of blood donated to One Blood, formerly The Blood Alliance.
Leading the effort is Orange Park resident Bill Conroy, who is the most active local donor at 125 gallons.
Another Orange Park resident, Barry Mowers, became One Blood’s 11th 100-gallon donor. Victor Gorday, a South Jacksonville resident, became the region’s 12th 100-gallon donor.
Sandra Moore from Fleming Island, with 110 gallons donated, is the region’s only 100-gallon female donor.
Northeast Florida’s most senior donor, 91-year-old Juan Mongalo, hit the 17-gallon mark at the event.
“Giving blood comes with added benefits,” he said. “I receive a mini-physical with blood pressure and iron level check each time I come in to donate. It gives me peace of mind by keeping me informed of my own health while saving lives with my blood donation. It’s a win-win.”
Everyone who donates a pint of blood through March 31 will receive a “Pint of Hope” T-shirt.
To find a donor center and make an appointment, visit igiveblood.org.
Nimnicht sponsoring Nutcracker service night
The Nimnicht Family of Dealerships, one of Jacksonville’s family-operated car dealerships for the last 75 years, is the 2016 sponsor of the Community Service Night performance of The Nutcracker Ballet.
Nimnicht Chevrolet will be underwriting all 2,000 tickets for the Dec. 8 performance.
Proceeds from the Community Nutcracker benefit Dreams Come True.
Community Nutcracker is celebrating 25 years as a local organization that produces the Nutcracker Ballet annually and donates a portion of its proceeds to other local nonprofits.
Organizations interested in receiving tickets for Community Service Night can email [email protected].
Additional sponsorships are available to support the production and its 25th anniversary. Visit jaxnutcracker.org for details.
Since 2005, the Community Nutcracker has worked with Dreams Come True, helping grant “dreams” for 30 children battling life-threatening illnesses.
Easter lunch March 23 at City Rescue Mission
On March 23, City Rescue Mission staff and volunteers will be hosting an Easter meal ministry focused on resurrecting the hope for neighbors in need.
Beginning in the morning, guests will be served coffee and pastries, followed by a short praise and worship service.
A traditional Easter lunch will be provided from 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. at the mission’s New Life Inn at 234 W. State St.
City Rescue Mission has been caring for the homeless and needy in Northeast Florida since 1946.
In addition to the New Life Inn homeless shelter downtown, the organization offers LifeBuilders, an 18-month, Christian-based addiction recovery program and workforce development.
The mission is funded by people, businesses, foundations and churches, with no government funds accepted for programs.
Culhane’s Celtic Open benefits cancer research
The Florida Pancreas Cancer Coalition will host the third annual Culhane’s Celtic Open, a golf tournament benefiting pancreas cancer research at 10:30 a.m. March 16 at Windsor Parke Golf Club.
Tickets are $125, including golf and a post-tournament buffet dinner at Culhane’s Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach.
For more information and to register, visit FLPCC.org.
Pancreas cancer affects all demographic groups and 85 percent of those diagnosed will die within six months. Of the remaining 15 percent, only one-third have a survival rate more than four years.
‘Making Strides’ Oct. 22 at Hemming Park
The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be Oct. 22 at Hemming Park.
Money raised will enable the society to continue funding breast cancer research; provide free information and support to those affected by the disease; and help people take steps to reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable.
Since 1993, more than 11 million supporters have raised more than $685 million nationwide.
Last year, 10,000 walkers in Jacksonville helped raise more than $318,000.
To learn more, visit makingstrideswalk.org/jacksonvillefl or contact Allison Gubitz at (904) 391-3610 or [email protected].