The fifth annual Dreams Come True with Massage Envy Spa event in Jacksonville set a record for their partnership with the local charity. Engaging the owners, management teams and employees of all six area locations, along with the more than 15,000 area Massage Envy Spa members and guests, they were able to raise more than $22,000 this year, bringing their five-year total to nearly $90,000.
To date, Massage Envy Spa has sponsored the dreams of 18 children and will add to that number with their donation from this year.
'A Hope to Dream' adding program in London
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Ashley Furniture HomeStores-Jacksonville will partner to expand Ashley Furniture HomeStores “A Hope to Dream” program to 100 children in London.
Last year, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley along with his wife, Michaela, and their children teamed with Howard Fineman, CEO and managing member of Jacksonville’s Ashley Furniture HomeStore,s to host a sleepover for 50 children at the Jaguars’ Everbank Field home. The children ate pizza with football players and participated in a dance party led by the Roar cheerleading squad. The children later learned the beds they were sleeping in that night would go home with them the next day.
Bradley and Fineman worked the past year to expand the program. Both organizations will host the second annual “A Hope to Dream” sleepover Aug. 1 in Jacksonville and have agreed to expand the program to aid children in London who need beds.
Representatives of both the Jaguars and Ashley Furniture HomeStores-Jacksonville will fly to London to host an Aug. 30 sleepover at Wembley Stadium for 100 children.
“As a coach, I know a good night’s sleep is the critical building block to good health and to having a hope of achieving in life,” Bradley said. “My wife and my children and I were just overcome with emotion at last year’s sleepover. You have never seen such joy as when we told those children that from now on they would sleep in a bed — in their own bed — and the chance to expand the program to our fans in London — it’s the definition of being a servant leader and it’s going to be amazing.”
If you know of a child who needs a bed you may submit your nomination at any Ashley Furniture HomeStore showroom, or online at ahopetodream.com.
Comcast awards scholarships
At the June 10 City Council meeting, area recipients of the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program were recognized and one was awarded a larger scholarship.
The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides $1,000 scholarships to students who strive to achieve their potential, are catalysts for positive change in their communities, are involved in their schools and serve as models for their fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give young people every opportunity to prepare for the future and to engage them in their communities. The program also demonstrates the importance of civic involvement, and the value placed on civic involvement by the business community.
Abigail Hulshult received a $5,000 Comcast Founder’s Scholarship. She graduated second in her class at Mandarin High School, where she took 25 honor courses and 16 Advanced Placement courses in addition to logging more than 300 volunteer hours. She plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall.
This year, the Comcast Foundation is awarding more than $180,000 in scholarships in Florida. To date, Comcast has awarded more than $21.6 million to nearly 21,000 Leaders and Achievers Scholarship winners.
Sharks to host blood drive on Thursday
The Blood Alliance has partnered with the Jacksonville Sharks Arena Football League team for a “Get Bit” blood drive where Shark fans are asked to bleed for their team to help save local lives.
At least 300 Sharks fans are needed to donate blood at Veterans Memorial Arena 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday. Donors will receive a T-shirt and entered into drawings for prizes, including a Sharks replica helmet, customizable jersey and owner’s seat tickets to an upcoming game.
“After four years of multiple blood drives held at our games, this is the first time we are partnering for a day-long blood drive with The Blood Alliance,” said Jeff Bouchy, managing partner of the Sharks. “We look forward to our fans joining us and doing their civic duty to give blood and to help support a lifesaving cause.”
Fans wanting to participate in the blood drive may park free of charge in Lot Z on the north side of the arena and enter through the Duval Street entrance.
To make an appointment to donate, visit igiveblood.com, use the free Apple and Android app at “iDon8” or call The Blood Alliance at (888) 998-2243.
Charity gala Oct. 8 at Nordstrom
Nordstrom Inc. will celebrate the opening of its St. Johns Town Center store opening with an evening gala Oct. 8.
The event will benefit the Cathedral Arts Project, the Junior League of Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Guests can sip cocktails, have dinner and desserts, be entertained and shop at the new 124,000-square-foot Nordstrom store before it opens Oct. 10.
The event, underwritten by Nordstrom, is expected to raise $90,000 to be shared among the three organizations.
Tickets for the gala are $75 per person and will be available in late August.
The mission of the Cathedral Arts Project is to enrich the quality of life in Northeast Florida through unleashing the creative spirit of young people. By providing access to instruction in the visual and performing arts, the organization empowers underserved, school-aged children to succeed in all areas of their lives. Last year 2,146 children were enrolled in one of 107 after school or summer programs at 42 sites throughout Duval County. For more information, visit capkids.org.
The Junior League of Jacksonville is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the action and leadership of trained volunteers. Each year, members contribute more than 15,000 volunteer hours to the Jacksonville community. For more information, visit jljacksonville.org.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital serves as the region’s pediatric referral center and only hospital just for children. Wolfson’s pediatric partners include Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville; the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic in Florida. For additional information, visit wolfsonchildrens.org.
Sharks to host blood drive on Thursday
The Blood Alliance has partnered with the Jacksonville Sharks Arena Football League team for a “Get Bit” blood drive where Shark fans are asked to bleed for their team to help save local lives.
At least 300 Sharks fans are needed to donate blood at Veterans Memorial Arena 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday. Donors will receive a T-shirt and entered into drawings for prizes, including a Sharks replica helmet, customizable jersey and owner’s seat tickets to an upcoming game.
“After four years of multiple blood drives held at our games, this is the first time we are partnering for a day-long blood drive with The Blood Alliance,” said Jeff Bouchy, managing partner of the Sharks. “We look forward to our fans joining us and doing their civic duty to give blood and to help support a lifesaving cause.”
Fans wanting to participate in the blood drive may park free of charge in Lot Z on the north side of the arena and enter through the Duval Street entrance.
To make an appointment to donate, visit igiveblood.com, use the free Apple and Android app at “iDon8” or call The Blood Alliance at (888) 998-2243.
Charity gala Oct. 8 at Nordstrom
Nordstrom Inc. will celebrate the opening of its St. Johns Town Center store opening with an evening gala Oct. 8.
The event will benefit the Cathedral Arts Project, the Junior League of Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Guests can sip cocktails, have dinner and desserts, be entertained and shop at the new 124,000-square-foot Nordstrom store before it opens Oct. 10.
The event, underwritten by Nordstrom, is expected to raise $90,000 to be shared among the three organizations.
Tickets for the gala are $75 per person and will be available in late August.
The mission of the Cathedral Arts Project is to enrich the quality of life in Northeast Florida through unleashing the creative spirit of young people. By providing access to instruction in the visual and performing arts, the organization empowers underserved, school-aged children to succeed in all areas of their lives. Last year 2,146 children were enrolled in one of 107 after school or summer programs at 42 sites throughout Duval County. For more information, visit capkids.org.
The Junior League of Jacksonville is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the action and leadership of trained volunteers. Each year, members contribute more than 15,000 volunteer hours to the Jacksonville community. For more information, visit jljacksonville.org.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital serves as the region’s pediatric referral center and only hospital just for children. Wolfson’s pediatric partners include Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville; the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic in Florida. For additional information, visit wolfsonchildrens.org.