Participants in last year’s “fun run,” part of the Ultra Marathon and Relay to benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Registration closes today for the event scheduled Saturday at EverBank Field.
The annual event started in 2010 when Ponte Vedra Beach resident Paul Wilson came up with the idea to run 55 miles to raise $5,000 for the hospital after his newborn son, Luke, received life-saving surgery there. Five years later, more than $2 million has been raised.
Proceeds from this year’s event will be used toward the purchase of a nuclear medicine camera and will help fund a technology support endowment. A portion of all gifts to the Wolfson Children’s Challenge will be matched by Baptist Health for the Wolfson Children’s Challenge Endowment.
For more information, call (904) 202-2919. To register or find out more about the Wolfson Children’s Challenge, visit wolfsonchildrenschallenge.org.
Table tennis tournament Feb. 14 for Home Again St. Johns
Home Again St. Johns is kicking off the year with a fundraiser. On Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, proceeds from the sixth annual All American Air Table Tennis Classic will go toward helping homeless get back on their feet.
The tournament is the brainchild of friends, business and community supporters who encouraged Steve and Christine Chapman to form the All American Air Charitable Foundation in 2010. The foundation has helped many charities through the years.
Home Again St. Johns has earmarked tournament proceeds for the establishment of a homeless service center on its property along Florida 207. Construction will soon begin on the 100-unit housing and multiagency facility where the homeless may access services they need to get into a better living environment.
This year’s tournament will be at the River House, 179 Marine St. in St. Augustine. To sponsor or attend the tournament, visit the foundation’s website at aaacharitablefoundation.org
To learn more about Home Again St. Johns, go to homeagainsj.org or to hold a fundraiser for the organization, call (904) 687-6043.
Tim Tebow Foundation’s ‘Night to Shine’ Feb. 13
In celebration of its fifth anniversary, the Tim Tebow Foundation created “Night to Shine,” a prom for people with special needs.
In an effort to have the event support as many people as possible, the foundation announced last fall it would sponsor up to 50 churches around the country that are willing to host a Night to Shine prom.
On Feb. 13, the foundation will sponsor 45 proms in 26 states and Uganda and Kenya. More than 7,000 people with special needs will be attending proms at the same time around the world, including at Christ Church in Jacksonville.
“Jesus is going to shine on this night, the churches are going to shine and the special needs community will shine on this night,” said Tebow.
With a red-carpet entrance and welcome from paparazzi, each prom will provide VIP treatment and will include elements consisting of limousine rides, hair and makeup beauty stations, shoe shines, a dance floor, food and more.
The idea came as the result of the foundation seeing a similar event last year at a local church. “After seeing the smiles on their faces and the way it impacted their whole family, we were certain this was an event that needed to be shared with the rest of the country,” said Erik Dellenback, executive director of the Tim Tebow Foundation.
The foundation worked with groups that serve the special needs community to create a manual explaining how to host a special needs prom. The foundation sent the manual to many churches, along with an offer to sponsor the event and supply a prom kit for the participants. More than 200 churches replied with interest. The list was narrowed based on location, size, desire to host and work already being done by the church in the special needs community.
More information on Night to Shine and ways to donate and get involved may be found in the events section of timtebowfoundation.org.
Association provides frozen food for seniors
For more than 10 years, the North Florida Frozen and Refrigeration Food Association has sponsored a Meals On Wheels frozen food event for Aging True Community Senior Services clients.
This year, vendors donated 123 cases of frozen food to help homebound seniors begin 2015 healthy and happy.
“With each new year comes renewed hope for the future,” said Tourea Robinson, director of development for Aging True. “The (association) isn’t just helping us deliver food to our Meals on Wheels clients — they’re helping to deliver hope.”
Bi-Lo Holdings, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, donated about 150 reusable bags to assist volunteers from the association in sorting and bagging the frozen goods.
“Giving freely of our time and material goods are ways to help improve the standard of living, particularly of our senior population,” said Donald Taman, executive director of the association.
Aging True Community Senior Services’ mission is to provide essential resources for individuals, families and communities to prepare for and support graceful aging. It has served North Florida seniors and their families for more than 50 years.
Programs and services focus on nutrition, affordable housing and in-home services including personal care and housekeeping. Believing that capacity is enhanced through collaboration, Aging True participates in a network of corporate, civic and community partnerships and works with more than 600 volunteers. To learn more, visit AgingTrue.org.
Big Blizzard bash Saturday for Big Brothers Big Sisters
The Young Professionals Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida will host the inaugural Big Blizzard Bash from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Morocco Shrine Center.
The event will feature food, games, activities, live music, arts and crafts, bounce houses and inflatables and tons of real snow. Youths are advised to wear gloves and closed-toe shoes. Admission is free. However, wristbands for unlimited play will be available to purchase at the event for $10.
For more information or to sign up as a volunteer or sponsor, email [email protected] or call (904) 727-9797.
One Spark sponsors Mount Acosta Classic
A running and cycling event, the Mount Acosta Classic, challenges endurance athletes to traverse the St. Johns River over the Acosta Bridge as many times as possible within the set three-hour time limit.
This year, One Spark will be the host sponsor. The event will start at 3 p.m. March 29 at the Haskell Co., 111 Riverside Ave.
Each year, the Mount Acosta Classic has raised more than $10,000 to support the Jared Bynum Scholarship Foundation. The race and foundation were initiated to honor Bynum by assisting Julia Landon Middle School students in their pursuit of a college education. The foundation focuses on students who have overcome early childhood challenges and aspire to achieve.
Registration is available at 1stplacesports.com. Participants will receive a T-shirt and a parking pass.
New management partner for 26.2 with Donna
The 26.2 with Donna, The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, has partnered with Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises, a leader in sports event management, specializing in creating, marketing and producing mass participatory athletic events throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Since founding the company, McGillivray has helped organize more than 900 events.
The company manages more than 30 major road races per year, with start- and finish-line management, lead vehicle programs, runner registration and results and working with local volunteers to ensure a smooth operation on race day.
“Dave is a pioneer,” said Donna Deegan, founder of the marathon. “Not only did he practically invent running to benefit charities, his expertise in organizing large races will take what is already a world-class event to the next level.”
The eighth annual 26.2 with Donna Marathon Weekend is Feb. 13-15 and is expected to attract more than 10,000 runners from all 50 states and more than 20 countries.
Justice Coalition annual breakfast Feb. 19
The 13th annual Together We Can Campaign Breakfast is scheduled at 6:45 a.m. Feb. 19 at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville.
CSX is the title sponsor of the breakfast and Ernie Palmer Toyota is a silver sponsor. State Attorney Angela Corey and sheriffs from Northeast Florida counties will be in attendance. The breakfast unites law enforcement and elected officials, businesses and involved citizens.
Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling the Justice Coalition at (904) 783-6312. Tickets may be purchased for $25 each.
The event is a fundraiser for the Justice Coalition to support the mission of assisting innocent victims of violent crimes.
For details, visit justicecoalition.org.