As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this feature that each week reports the efforts of local nonprofit organizations and the individuals and businesses that support them.
Bailey Publishing & Communications invites all members of the local nonprofit community to email news, announcements and success stories to [email protected] or to [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Adventure Landing sets world record
In the early hours of Sunday morning, three remaining sliders battled for a first-place finish at Adventure Landing’s 2nd Annual Slide-a-thon, even after setting a world record.
They solidified the record by spending the most hours on an attraction at 33 hours, 48 minutes, beating the former record of 30 hours and 30 seconds.
The non-stop sliding contest at Adventure Landing’s Shipwreck Island officially started Friday at 6 p.m. and ended at 3:48 a.m. Sunday when Craig Rogers slid his final slide to beat Shawn Dunn ,the 2nd place winner, and Brad Goodrich, the 3rd place winner.
At the start of the contest, there were 38 contestants competing in the continuous-sliding competition. Ten contestants broke the Guiness World Records record by passing the 30-hour, 35-second mark.
“I really wanted to win first place, so I could use the vacation prize for our honeymoon. I’m getting married in October, so this is a big deal for us,” said winner Craig Rogers, “It was great to have my mom, dad and girlfriend out here to support me and keep me going.”
This year, The Eagle 96.9 helped sponsor the event, which raised $2,213 to benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Hank Woodburn, Adventure Landing owner and president, agreed to donate $50 per hour of sliding to the Wolfson Children’s Hospital and rounded up to 34 hours when the record came in.
In addition to Woodburn’s donation, the $10 entry fee paid by all the contestants will be donated to the children’s hospital. Adventure Landing front ticket counter donations throughout the day on Saturday will also be donated.
The prizes and record holders:
* Grand prize: 7-night stay for two at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, awarded to Rogers.
* Second place prize: surfboard by Sunrise Surf Shop valued at $1,000, awarded to Dunn.
* Third place prize: a family 4-pack of Shipwreck Island season passes for the 2013 season, awarded to Goodrich.
* All record breakers: Timothy Ballato, Thomas Borchert, Phillip Davis, Dunn, Jimmy Galaviz, Goodrich, Jeff Henderson, Haley Norman, Rogers and Rhian Smith.
Moran Foundation awards Big Brothers Big Sisters
Commemorating what would have been automotive pioneer and philanthropist Jim Moran’s 94th birthday on Aug. 8, The Jim Moran Foundation awarded two grants for $94,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.
The funding will benefit “Bigs in Schools,” a program that matches adult mentors with youths ages 6-18 to improve their academics and opportunities for long-term success.
During weekly, one-hour visits at the children’s schools, “bigs” and “littles” build friendships and trust through one-on-one activities. They often read together, work on school projects, play games or talk.
“My husband understood how important an encouraging adult could be in a young person’s life,” said Jan Moran, chair and president of The Jim Moran Foundation. “Through our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, we are able to connect children with nurturing, positive role models who can help them discover and reach their greatest potential.”
Each year, the foundation provides two special grants – one in North Florida and one in South Florida – and announces them during JM Family Enterprises’ Founder’s Day, an annual celebration of the automotive company Moran established in 1968.
All of JM Family’s companies and locations throughout the United States, Brazil and Canada commemorated the day with a 94-cent lunch and his favorite chocolate cake.
Humane Society adds to board of directors
The Jacksonville Humane Society has expanded its board to include Kim Ward and Brent Bolick, while also electing board member Michael Munz to serve as president of the animal welfare organization’s board of directors.
Ward worked in sales and marketing for 15 years before taking on the role of trustee and managing director of the Michael and Kim Ward Foundation. She also chairs the founding committee of City Year Jacksonville, co-chairs the United Way of Northeast Florida’s Education Committee and serves as chair of the One Love Foundation National Advisory Council.
Bolick is the president of Clear Channel Outdoor in Jacksonville. He is a member of the First Coast Crime Stoppers board of directors and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville. Bolick is originally from Indianapolis, Ind., where he served as president of the Indianapolis Humane Society board.
Munz, executive vice president for the Dalton Agency, a national advertising and public relations firm headquartered in Jacksonville, has been a long-time animal welfare advocate. Munz previously served as chair of the Sulzbacher Center during its capital campaign to expand its campus, as chair of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and on the boards of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and JAX Chamber. As JHS board president, he will oversee the organization as it launches its capital campaign to rebuild the facility that was destroyed by a fire more than five years ago.
Bolick, Munz and Ward will serve two-year terms on the JHS board. They join nine other animal advocates who oversee JHS policy and fundraising.
Website links employees to community projects
ItsTimeWeDonate.com is a new website that presents companies and service organizations opportunities for their employees and members to become involved in the community. This new portal is made possible by Synovus Bank and Client Focused Media through the use of HandsOn Jacksonville’s volunteer management technology.
This website allows nonprofit organizations to register their needs for volunteers for one-time projects as well as continuing needs. Companies and organizations with available volunteers can visit the website and sign up for opportunities that meet their volunteer goals. This is not just limited to companies; individuals with time to give may also serve.
David Bailey, the owner and vice president of Bailey’s Powerhouse Gyms in Northeast Florida, has pledged 5,000 hours to the volunteer program.
“As Jacksonville’s leading health club, locally-owned and operated for the past 31 years, Bailey’s recognizes the need for social responsibility and is pledging 5,000 volunteer hours in the upcoming year. We want to create a healthy community not just by having a positive impact on individual health, but also on the development, business and our society as a whole.”
Alex Sifakis, the president of Jacksonville Wealth Builders, pledged 300 hours for his company. “We have always been big on giving back to the community. This initiative removes some of the barriers to giving, and makes it so easy for everyone to volunteer and that is why we are so excited about it.”