from staff
As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this page that will each week chronicle the efforts of local nonprofit organizations. Bailey Publishing & Communications invites all members of the local nonprofit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and any other information they believe would be of interest to our readers. Email to: [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they try to continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Student videos promote nonprofits
Students from Annmarie Kent-Willette’s advanced broadcasting class at Jacksonville University partnered with Dignity U Wear for a service-learning project to create awareness for the organization through a series of videos and public service announcements.
The students produced a series of videos, including a 30-second public service announcement titled “Drop Your Drawers!” The PSAs were aired locally and featured at the organization’s 6th annual Undie Sunday event May 15.
The Undie Sunday video, produced by students Victoria Smart, Samantha Snyder and Matthew Ernsting, helped raise funds to provide underwear to people in need.
To view the video, visit www.dignityuwear.org.
Another of their projects is a video with Karen Robinson, president of the Jags Moms Club. Robinson, mother of Jaguars defensive back Don Carey, was instrumental in selecting Dignity U Wear as the charity of choice for the Jags Moms Club. The video explains why the organization holds such a special place in Robinson’s heart.
Dignity U Wear was founded in April 2000 in Jacksonville by philanthropist and Holocaust survivor Henri Landwirth. He founded Dignity U Wear to create real change in the lives of children and adults in need.
Real estate professionals barbecue for charity
NAIOP of Northeast Florida, the region’s commercial real estate trade association, supported the local nonprofit Daniel by participating as a contributing sponsor in the 2011 “Jacksonville Backyard BBQ Championship.”
NAIOP and its members took home more than a good feeling from charitable work after they were announced as the runner-up in the Pork Competition and ranked No. 4 in the overall Backyard Division.
“This was our first year participating in the BBQ Championship and we had an amazing time,” said Julie Bohn, 2011 NAIOP of Northeast Florida charity chair.
This year’s event included more than 30 amateur and professional BBQ teams, all of which competed in three categories: chicken, ribs and pork.
Trophies were awarded to the first, second and third place winners in each category as well as a Grand Champion and Reserve Champion award. Those who attended the event were able to sample BBQ from participating teams as well as enjoy fun games, entertainment and music.
More information about the 2011 Jacksonville Backyard BBQ Championship is available online at www.jaxbbqchampionships.com.
‘Putt N Crawl’ at the beach
It’s miniature golf, BUZZ style. The 7th Annual Putt N’ Crawl is scheduled June 11 in Jacksonville Beach.
This year the Putt N’ Crawl will feature an 18-hole miniature golf course set up inside restaurants at Jacksonville Beach. Fourteen restaurants and bars are opening their doors to all participants who take on the challenge of each home-built putting green.
Tickets are available online at www.PuttNCrawl.com for $20 per person. Tickets may be purchased for $25 the day of the event.
Lynch’s Irish Pub will be the primary sign-in establishment for ticket holders. For participants who purchased their tickets in advance, they will also be able to register at Dick’s Wings or Freebird Cafe.
Sign-in will begin at 2 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. at all hole locations. The event is 2-9 p.m. with the afterparty at Bo’s Coral Reef.
Each establishment has designed its own putting green and will be offering prizes for a hole-in-one. Team chemistry and matching outfits are encouraged. This is an event where style is rewarded, so pull on those argyle socks and plaid shorts.
There will be drink specials available to all paying Putt N’ Crawlers with official wristbands and collectible mugs.
Participating holes are Lynch’s Irish Pub, Paco’s, Bo’s Coral Reef, Club O, Dick’s Wings, Fionn MacCool’s, Chicago Pizza, Rush Street, Bukkets, Jam Rock, Campeche Bay Cantina, Sneakers, Joe’s Crab Shack and Freebird Cafe.
The event sponsors include iwantaBUZZ.com, The BUZZ Magazine, WAWS Fox 30, Swisher International, Coors Light, Coastal Cab, Premier Beverage, Malcolm Anthony, 95.1 WAPE and X102.9 FM, Rock 104.5, Coastline Federal Credit Union, Exec Golf Memberships and Bikes and Rides.com.
Charities and organizations that will benefit from event proceeds include the USO, the Jacksonville Humane Society, Hubbard House, Ability Housing, Forsaken Generation, Catty Shack, New Heights, J.T. Townsend Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and the Sulzbacher Center.
Summer youth program seeking support
FreshMinistries, a multifaithbased nonprofit organization, is asking the community to join in partnership with local businesses, Eastside youth between 15-18 years old, the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, Merck Foundation and the Scheidel Foundation to bring summer job opportunities to youth participating in FreshMinistries’ job readiness, life skills, and health and wellness training program, “Siya-Out.”
“FreshMinistries and our supporters believe our core-city youth belong on the job instead of on the streets over their summer break from school. Our summer youth employment program currently has 33 youth attending Saturday morning mentoring sessions during which they learn job readiness behaviors, employer expectations, financial literacy, and life skills training that addresses topics such as conflict resolution, avoiding risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, and accepting personal responsibility for their actions and choices,” said Michelle Hughes, director of FreshMinistries’ local programming.
The cost to sponsor a student is $2,000. Donations in all amounts are welcome.
For more information, call 355-0000 or email [email protected]. To make a donation, send checks to FreshMinistries, 1131 N. Laura St., ATTN: Karen Lee, Jacksonville, FL 32206.
New opportunity for young professionals
The Monique Burr Foundation for Children Inc. has formed a new group, “Professionals for Prevention,” for young professionals between the ages of 21-40 that will meet monthly to discuss ways to support the foundation and connect with its mission.
The mission of the Monique Burr Foundation is to provide hope in the life of children by providing safety and child abuse prevention education.
“Today’s young professionals realize the importance of community involvement, and we are so pleased they are interested in expanding our important mission throughout Northeast Florida and beyond,” said Lynn Layton, executive director of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.
“Professionals for Prevention will serve as a source of social and networking opportunities, as well as provide important information about the foundation’s current and upcoming activities,” she said.
Activities will include forums featuring business men and women, socials and event planning.
For more information about the Monique Burr Foundation’s Professionals for Prevention group, call Callie Criser at 562-1844 or email [email protected].