Three years ago, capital campaign feasibility experts studied North Florida’s philanthropic landscape and advised Jewish Family and Community Services that an ambitious goal for its fundraising initiative would be about $4 million.
The campaign launched last June with the goal of raising $4.5 million for a new headquarters building.
Having nearly hit that target in the first six months of the quiet phase, organizers announced last week a “stretch” goal of $5.5 million.
That new goal will allow the organization to add The Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery at its new headquarters on Baycenter Road in Baymeadows.
The gallery will be the only Holocaust exhibit between Atlanta and Miami. It’s being dedicated in honor of the family of community leader Harry Frisch, who came to America at a young age after losing his father in the Holocaust.
Frisch is the founder of Beaver Street Fisheries.
The campaign’s quiet phase success was due in large part to Michael and Laurie DuBow and a lead gift from the DuBow Family Foundation, along with a team that managed the purchase and renovation of the new 30,000-square-foot Alan J. Taffet Building.
The facility is expected to open next year as the organization celebrates its 100th year of serving Northeast Florida.
In addition, the organization will convert its current building into the Allison Stein Robbin Building, which will serve as home to the new Max Block Food Pantry.
Keeping city moving and more healthy
Middle and high school students in the I’m A Star Foundation hosted the sixth annual Let’s Move Jacksonville on Saturday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Communities In Schools won $1,000 for bringing the most people to the event.
Activities included flag football, soccer, dancing, healthy cooking demonstrations, health screenings, bounce houses and relay races.
Attendees included U.S. Rep.-elect John Rutherford; former Mayor Alvin Brown; state Rep. Tracie Davis; Duval County School Board Chair Paula Wright; and City Council members Bill Gulliford, Joyce Morgan and Sam Newby.
The first Let’s Move Jacksonville event was in 2010 at Edward Waters College and has evolved to attract more than 3,000 people.
Since last year, Jacksonville has moved from No. 37 to No. 34 on the list of healthy cities.
Register for the 2017 Let’s Move Jacksonville at letsmovejacksonville.eventbrite.com.
Volunteer Florida gives $1.2M to local City Year
City Year Jacksonville received $1.2 million in AmeriCorps funding from Volunteer Florida that will allow 120 AmeriCorps members to serve in 12 Duval County public schools.
As one of 36 AmeriCorps programs in Florida to be funded, the award will help City Year Jacksonville increase student achievement, boost high school graduation rates and provide career readiness and instructional training to AmeriCorps members.
The members dedicate one year to service and learning to succeed in challenging environments.
Last year, City Year Jacksonville worked with more than 8,000 students, providing one-on-one and small group coaching and support in English language arts, mathematics and behavior.
Through the AmeriCorps program, each City Year participant is eligible to earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.
Upon completion of 1,700 hours of service, AmeriCorps members earn the federal scholarship valued at $5,735.
The scholarships help pay for college tuition and vocational training or repay student loans.
Local Taco Bell customers raise $38,000 for military
Customers at Northeast Florida Taco Bell franchise locations helped raise more than $38,000 for the Armed Forces Families Foundation’s annual fundraiser.
A total of $357,520 was raised at nearly 300 Taco Bell and IHOP locations in the Southeast.
All of the funds raised are used for the development of infrastructure projects to help military families.
To date, the foundation has raised more than $1.3 million.
To learn more, visit armedforcesfamilies.org.
A 'December to Remember' for 5 families
Five families have been chosen from more than 60 applications to receive gifts at Sunday’s 21st annual December to Remember Christmas Party.
The event is 1 p.m. at the Legend Community Center, 5130 Soutel Drive.
Clara White Mission, radio station V101.5/93.3, The McGowan Chiropractors, City Council member Reggie Brown, Jacksonville Brotherhood of Firefighters and local sororities and fraternities will host the party.
The hosts will provide the families with lunch prepared by Ashley Street Catering, while giving each child his or her Christmas wish list items and a limo ride to the event, courtesy of Susie’s Limo.
There also will be a $500 cash gift for each family, presented by The McGowan Chiropractors.
SPIN Jacksonville debuts Jan. 10
Senior Provider Information Network is a group of professionals whose members provide senior citizens and their families products and services to make life easier.
The group comprises community-based agencies and businesses that provide information, resources and assistance to seniors.
The organization’s founder, Eddie Malone, is a certified aging-in-place specialist and president of Boomer and Senior Resources.
SPIN St. Augustine organized in April and has grown to more than 100 members.
The Jacksonville group will launch at 9 a.m. Jan. 10 at Lampkins and Patterson Memorial Center at 6615 Arlington Expressway, which will host SPIN Jacksonville’s monthly meetings.
For information, email [email protected] or call (904) 810-8535.
Baptist Health, Y open center
The partnership between Baptist Health and YMCA of Florida’s First Coast is yielding benefits for North Jacksonville residents with the opening of the fourth Y Healthy Living Center. Baptist President and CEO Hugh Greene welcomed residents to the new Y Healthy Living Center on Cleveland Road. The facility at the Johnson Family YMCA offers wellness programs for residents. The four centers are open to all – not just YMCA members. The partnership has served more than 900 residents since it began in 2014 in Mandarin.