The Daily Record invites the local nonprofit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and other information they believe would be of interest to our readers. Email to: [email protected].
McKesson employees fill comfort packs for cancer patients
More than 350 employee volunteers in Jacksonville came together last week as part of McKesson’s Community Days, an annual volunteer event when employees create comfort items for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Employees of the medical and pharmaceutical supply company decorated miniature hope chests filled with affirmations.
They also wrote personal notes of encouragement for cancer patients in the Jacksonville area.
The care packages, for patients of all ages, were filled with the most requested items such as warm socks, blankets and stuffed animals.
In addition, the McKesson Foundation made a $5,560 grant to Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, an organization that provides comprehensive care to cancer patients.
Hanania Auto backs K9s For Warriors
During the first timeout at Sunday’s Jacksonville Jaguars game, Jack Hanania, founder and CEO of Hanania Auto Group, presented a $62,222 check to K9s For Warriors.
The organization helps post-9/11 veterans live and train on-site with their service dogs before graduating and taking them home.
The program boasts a 100 percent success rate in suicide prevention for its graduates.
The donation will be used to offset costs associated with certified dog training, equipment, housing, veterinary care and peer-to-peer support — all of which are provided at no cost to the veteran.
For more information about K9s For Warriors, contact Rory Diamond at (904) 686-1956, or visit k9sforwarriors.org.
USTA president is keynote speaker at gala
Katrina Adams, the first African-American and youngest president of the United States Tennis Association, will be the featured speaker at the 20th annual Current/Sherman Group of Merrill Lynch Champions for Children Gala.
The gala is Oct. 13 at Florida Blue, followed the next day by a tennis pro-am event at San Jose Country Club.
The gala is the largest fundraiser for the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation. It has traditionally raised at least $200,000 a year.
Also featured will be remarks from Washington, impact statements from alumni and a testimonial from the student athlete of the year.
In addition to dinner and live and silent auctions, more than $59,000 in college scholarships will be awarded to 22 foundation youth.
The nonprofit’s programs include a K-12 after-school youth development program, Tennis & Tutoring and a summer camp, Camp Dynamite.
The programs include homework assistance, life skills classes and tennis lessons.
The mission of the foundation is to develop champions in classrooms, on tennis courts and throughout communities.
Sponsorships and tickets are available and may be purchased by visiting malwashington.com/gala or by calling (904) 359-5437.
Study could change criteria for grants
Preparing students for the workforce requires more emphasis on critical thinking, complex problem solving and applied knowledge in real-world settings.
After-school and summer learning programs can provide the time and experiences for children to develop skills that are proven to improve academic performance, school attendance, health, wellness and behavior.
A two-year study of summer learning programs across the nation, conducted by the Rand Corp., found students who attended at least 20 days performed better in math than a control group after the first summer and better in math, reading and social-emotional skills after the second summer.
Funding from the Wallace Foundation and the Jacksonville Children’s Commission allowed Jacksonville Education Partners to analyze and determine how after-school and summer programs can align with national best practices.
Researchers conducted an analysis of Duval County’s largest free and low-cost after-school and summer learning providers to look for patterns in enrollment, communities served, cost and funding, program focus and student demographics. Among the most significant findings were:
• There is $36.8 million spent on after-school and summer learning programs serving 35,700 children and youth at over 300 sites, primarily in public schools and in low-income neighborhoods.
• More than half of students participating in after-school (55 percent) and summer (61 percent) programs are female, indicating the need to create strategies for attracting male students.
• The majority of programs serve exclusively elementary school students — nearly 75 percent in after-school and 60 percent in summer programs.
Based on results of the study, the children’s commission will be redesigning its criteria and creating a new request for proposals related to $12 million in after-school and summer learning funding to incorporate the findings and national best practices.
For the full report and action plan, visit jaxpef.org.
‘Wine and Vines’ workshop is Thursday
North Florida Land Trust invites the public to the Wine and Vines Garden Workshop 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday at the organization’s river-friendly and edible yard at 2038 Gilmore St. in Riverside.
The event will begin with a presentation from Garrett Llopiz of Ecodesign Solution, who will discuss microclimates and groundcovers to complement the change of the seasons.
Admission is free. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Attendees will receive a sweet potato vine cutting to take home.
For more information and to RSVP, email Genevieve Fletcher at [email protected] or call (904) 479-1967.
Discounted tickets for Concours d’Elegance
Tickets are available online for the 22nd annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, March 10-12 at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Resort.
Discounted advance sale tickets may be purchased at ameliaconcours.org for $95 per adult and $50 per youth (ages 12-18).
Tickets allowing entry to the field one hour before the general public are available for $150 per adult and $80 per youth.
Early entry with a buffet lunch is available for $225 per adult and $150 per youth.
Tickets at the gate will be $120 per adult, $50 for youths and active-duty military personnel with ID and each of their accompanying immediate family members.
Children under 12 are admitted free on Sunday with a paying adult.
Since 1996, the show’s foundation has donated more than $3 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida Inc., Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop with Cops and other charities.