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].
Information technology services company Nagarro and an anonymous donor have joined forces to offer a $22,500 challenge grant to kick off Dignity U Wear’s back-to-school campaign.
The grant and its matching funds will allow Dignity U Wear to procure, inventory and distribute new clothing.
A donation of $10 provides two outfits for a student and $20 ensures a child has a coat when the weather turns cold.
All children want to look nice the first day of school but for the nearly half of America’s children living at or below the poverty line, new clothing may not be a reality.
Learning with Dignity – Clothing Children for Success provides new school-appropriate attire to clothing closets and after-school programs in Northeast Florida.
New clothes boost confidence and participation leading to success in the classroom.
In 2015, Dignity U Wear provided new clothing for 50,000 students through its network of partner social-service agencies.
A contribution of $50 will provide 20 outfits for students in need. The campaign ends Sept. 1.
To donate, visit dignityuwear.org
The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, donated $2,500 to the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida as part of the foundation’s commitment to give back to the community.
The coalition manages and evaluates early child care and education programs through a school readiness delivery system in Clay, Nassau, Baker, Bradford, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The funds will be used for the Three-Year-Old Book Bag Project.
This year marks the third time the foundation has contributed to the organization, said Early Literacy Coordinator Joan Whitson.
Since 2002, the TD Charitable Foundation has provided more than $157 million in support for affordable housing, financial literacy and education and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families.
More information about the foundation, including an online grant application, is available at TDBank.com.
Community supporters, donors and volunteers are invited to celebrate the 2015-16 accomplishments of the United Way of St. Johns County. Nearly $1.2 million was raised in St. Johns County last year.
All those that have contributed –– financially, by volunteering or by advocating –– are invited to socialize, celebrate and learn more from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 22 at the St. Augustine Distillery.
The cost is $20 per person. Beverages and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Reservations can be made by calling (904) 829-9721.
Since its founding in 1957, the organization has raised and distributed more than $25 million in St. Johns County.
To learn more about United Way of St. Johns County, visit unitedway-sjc.org.
Fine art reproductions and photography will be exhibited and sold 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 27 at St. Augustine Outlets to benefit St. Augustine Youth Services, Learn To Read of St. Johns County, Mission House and Dreams Come True.
The event is hosted by Art 4 Charities, a Ponte Vedra business founded by Diane and Terry Machaby.
The partnering nonprofit agencies agree to inform their supporters and the public about Art 4 Charities raising funds for them and in turn the organizations receive 40 percent of the proceeds of any sales designated to them.
“This can be quite a nice little fundraiser for a nonprofit,” said Diane Machaby, director of charity fundraising.
In addition, St. Augustine Youth Services became a charity partner of Art 4 Charities and in turn received $250 in free artwork which was raffled at the organization’s annual fishing tournament.
Auction space is limited for the upcoming event, but exhibits and sales are scheduled each month.
For more information on hosting an Art Showing to support your favorite charity, contact Art 4 Charities at (904) 469-7428 or email [email protected].
Clara LeBlanc, owner of Tidbits Restaurant and Catering, was selected the 2016 National Down Syndrome Congress Employer of the Year for showing that any size business can hire workers with disabilities by creating and sustaining a position for an employee with Down syndrome.
Frank Harmon, a member of the congress, has been a member of the Tidbit’s staff since October 2014.
While Harmon’s first assignment at Tidbits was not the best fit, LeBlanc was willing to adapt and work with him and his job coach to place Harmon in positions where he could be successful and enjoy his work.
The National Down Syndrome Congress is the leading national resource of support and information for anyone touched by or seeking to learn about Down syndrome, from the moment of a prenatal diagnosis through adulthood.