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 feel 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.
Family Support Services secures state contract
Family Support Services of North Florida has been awarded a five-year, $48.7 million contract to provide child welfare services in Duval and Nassau counties.
The contract with the Department of Children and Families extends the nonprofit's role as the community-based care agency serving the department's Northeast Region for the state.
Family Support Services has provided core child welfare services in Duval County since 2002 and in Nassau County since 2007.
The new contract will be effective from July 1 to June 30, 2018.
"FSS is proud to again be selected as the local service provider for child welfare," said Lee Kaywork, organization CEO. "The award of the new contract re-affirms DCF's confidence in our services, our programs and our commitment to the children and families in our community."
The organization is one of 20 agencies throughout the state that provides community-based care in child welfare.
The state privatized child welfare in 1997 and charged local entities with the responsibility to manage and ensure the delivery of an integrated child welfare system while working in conjunction with the department.
Jaguars Foundation supports Jacksonville Humane Society
The Jacksonville Jaguars have committed to donate $50,000 to the Jacksonville Humane Society through the "Like Us, Love Them" Facebook campaign.
The Jaguars Foundation offered to donate $1 for every new "like" on the team's Facebook page in November, up to $50,000.
Organization employees, volunteers and the Jaguars used social and traditional media to secure the additions and more than 12,500 fans were added to the Jaguars page.
Foundation President Peter Racine said that in appreciation of the society's efforts, the team will provide the full $50,000.
"The Jacksonville Humane Society provides a variety of valuable services to our community, and we are excited to support their animal welfare and education efforts," he said.
The team's donation will be earmarked for educational and outreach programs for children.
"We are delighted the Jaguars have chosen to give us such a generous donation," said Denise Deisler, society executive director. "We will use the money to teach children lessons of kindness and compassion toward all living beings."
'Doors & More' raises $330,000
The eighth annual Halloween Doors & More event that included the Monster Mash Dash 5K raised more than $330,000 for Community PedsCare.
The event was hosted by Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
About 1,900 people attended the event at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds exhibition hall.
This marked the eighth year for the main event to benefit Community PedsCare, the pediatric palliative and hospice program for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
"The majority of services provided by Community PedsCare are not reimbursed expenses," said Community Hospice Foundation Executive Director DeAnn Collins.
"Therefore, the funds raised by the Halloween Doors & More event are vital to the operation of the Community PedsCare program. To date, the annual event has provided more than $2.8 million in net proceeds. It is a tribute to the care and quality of the Community PedsCare organization, that even in a struggling economy, this gala continues to attract the attendance and support of the Jacksonville community," she said.
Co-chairs Maggie Bowers, Van Kerner and Susan Monahan, in addition to the 130-member committee and more than 300 event volunteers, all were integral to the event's success, the release said.
B&G Refrigeration offers special to nonprofits
B&G Refrigeration announced that during December its refrigeration, electrical and heating and air divisions will either discount, or return as a donation, 10 percent of any service call a nonprofit might require.
"We have been in Jacksonville for 40 years and want to share some of our blessings," said the company in a statement. "We have seen how nonprofits have been hit hard by economic events and want to help during this holiday season."
For information, call B&G at (904) 620-0081. Its website is bgrefrigeraton.net
'Santa Dollars' at Publix Super Markets Inc.
Through Dec. 26, Publix Super Markets Inc. is selling Santa Dollars to benefit abused and neglected children helped through the Children's Home Society of Florida, Buckner Division.
A Santa Dollar is an actual $1 bill with a trademarked and registered "Santa" seal covering George Washington's face.
The seal is removable so the dollar remains legal tender and can be spent or kept as a collectible.
Santa Dollars can be purchased at any Publix for $2.50, and $1 is directed to the society.
Over the past five years, the program has raised more than $119,000 to help children break the cycle of abuse and restore hope in their futures.
Builders Care celebrates 11 years of service
Builders Care, the charitable arm of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, is celebrating 11 years of service to the community.
The association founded Builders Care on Oct. 1, 2001.
Since then, the nonprofit community-based construction organization has provided home and building improvements to more than 1,000 people.
With the assistance of volunteer homebuilders and real estate agents, the organization helps those who are less fortunate and cannot afford construction services by traditional means.
"It is absolutely phenomenal what Builders Care has been able to accomplish in our community," said association President Barbara Moore, who is division president for Lennar Jacksonville. "The work of this organization really makes you step back from the day-to-day reality of the job and realize what an amazing and charitable group of people make up the homebuilder community. We have an incredible group of volunteers and donors that give so much. It is truly gratifying."
Volunteers from the building industry and community have provided repairs and improvements to homes, making them safer and accessible so senior citizens, disabled and disadvantaged people can function and continue living in their own homes.
The organization also has assisted numerous community organizations.
There are an estimated 45,000 substandard houses in Northeast Florida in need of repair and modification.
More information about the organization can be found at builderscare.org.