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A major show of support for wounded veterans
Greg Smith (left), Northeast Florida market president for Bank of America, presents Al Giordano, chief operating officer and co-founder of Wounded Warrior Project, with a $523,000 donation from the bank’s Express Your Thanks social media campaign. Bank of America has donated more than $3 million to Wounded Warrior Project throughout their three-year partnership, which has helped fund 20 programs and services offered to injured service members.
Gala raises nearly $200,000 for Florida Theater
Rock the Rooftop brought in $196,000 to support programs at the Florida Theatre.
The May 17 fundraiser began with a cocktail party and sit-down dinner Downtown on the roof of the Yates Parking Garage. It then moved across Forsyth Street to a concert in the historic theatre by jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and his band.
Proceeds benefit the Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center Inc., the nonprofit corporation that manages and programs the theatre in a public/private partnership with the city.
Rock the Rooftop received major support from its presenting sponsor, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and gold sponsor, Irene and Gasper Lazzara. Dinner was attended by 225 people and they were joined by more 600 more for the Chris Botti concert.
Numa Saisselin, the theatre’s president, said about 55 percent of the annual budget comes from ticket sales and 25 percent from other activities. The additional 20 percent has to come through fundraising events each year.
Concours gives more to Spina Bifida group
The Amelia Concours d’Elegance, a charitable organization, increased its annual gift to Spina Bifida of Jacksonville to $80,000 for 2014, an increase of 33 percent.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015, the Amelia Concours was founded to serve charities on Florida’s First Coast and to bring an award-winning, world-class concours to the East Coast.
Founder Bill Warner’s only condition upon creating the Amelia Concours was that it benefit charity. Since its founding, the concours has donated more than $2.5 million to local charities like Community Hospice, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop With Cops of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County, and Spina Bifida of Jacksonville.
Fundraising support sought for Dreams Come True campaign
On June 7, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., a local business will transform into a magical experience fit for 30 local children and their families at the inaugural Dreams Come True’s Dream Day Campaign and Celebration.
Dreams Come True of Jacksonville and PRI Productions worked together to create an enchanted getaway for dream families.
The children will be greeted by characters on the red carpet and escorted to one of the stations where costumes, hair and makeup will transform them into their favorite princesses and superheroes.
Individuals and businesses have the opportunity to raise funds in support of the programs and services of Dreams Come True. In return, each “Dream Team” formed will be invited as special guests to the June 7 celebration, where they will meet the children they are honoring through their fundraising efforts.
A fundraising goal of $500,000 was set for the campaign. Mac Papers is matching every dollar donated (up to $250,000).
Companies or individuals interested in participating, or making a donation to the Dream Day Campaign and Celebration, can visit dreamscometrue.org or contact Lynn Betros, development director, at (904) 296-3030.