Philanthropists Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver renewed the annual Weaver Challenge to raise money for 26.2 with Donna, the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer.
The challenge serves as a call to action for fundraisers through a $100,000 match for $200,000 raised. Marathon weekend is Feb. 12-14.
The continuation of the challenge for the 2016 marathon marks the fifth year of the gift. The Weavers have donated $400,000 to 26.2 with Donna, which in turn has generated more than $1.2 million since the inception of the challenge.
Money raised goes toward developing and maintaining the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program.
The funds make it possible to conduct breast cancer research, including the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Vaccine Trials.
Funds also support The Donna Foundation, providing financial assistance for the critical needs of more than 8,500 women and men living with breast cancer.
The Weavers’ commitment to the 26.2 with Donna extends beyond their match. Each year, the Weavers are present on the beach to cheer on the race participants and they plan to be there once again in 2016 to greet the finishers.
Individuals and teams interested in becoming a fundraiser or registering as a race participant can learn more at breastcancermarathon.com.
Nearly 850 families get holiday meals from The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army on Nov. 24 distributed turkeys and groceries to make traditional Thanksgiving side dishes to 841 families.
The center received 700 turkeys from Sonny’s BBQ and 315 turkeys from Miracle on the Hudson survivor, Casey Jones, who does his own grass-roots fundraiser.
Also donated were 350 bundles of fresh collard greens from The Boys and Girls Club’s garden. Schools and community groups sponsored canned food drives to help provide the rest.
Volunteers from Florida Blue, JEA, Sonny’s BBQ and the Jacksonville Sharks Attack Dance Team helped distribute the food.
Program donates Happy Meals to hungry children
Food insecurity means you don’t know where your next meal is coming from. Thousands of people experience it every day.
To help, the 25 local McDonald’s owner/operators in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia have partnered for Buy One, Share One Happy Meals.
During December, for each Happy Meal purchased, a second meal will be donated to one of several food banks in the area. It is estimated that nearly 225,000 Happy Meals will be donated, equating to approximately 600 free meals per day for local children.
“All of our owner/operators live local and most of our restaurants are locally owned and operated and we wanted to help our local community address this serious problem of food insecurity,” said Will Garcia, local McDonald’s owner/operator.
The Happy Meal redemption cards will be donated to Feeding Northeast Florida, which serves Northeast Florida, as well as to food banks in Gainesville and Georgia.
Drop off items for ‘Toys for Tots’ at Tax Collector
All Duval County Tax Collector branch locations will serve as collection sites for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
Through Dec. 14, residents may drop off new, unwrapped toys for the charity.
It is the fifth year the office has participated in the collection, said Tax Collector Michael Corrigan.
The goal of the program, which began in 1947, is to deliver a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens.
For more information about the program, visit toysfortots.org.
To find a branch location of the Tax Collector’s Office, visit coj.net/tc or call (904) 630-1916.
St. Nicholas to visit Title I schools Friday
For the 13th year, HandsOn Jacksonville on Friday will deliver backpacks filled with books, toys and wellness items to 5,000 elementary school children in local Title I schools.
More than 75 percent of the students are on a free or subsidized lunch plan, making it likely the gifts may be some of the only ones they receive during the holiday season. For some, the books may be the first they have ever owned.
Volunteers will read to students and St. Nicholas, dressed in the traditional green, gold and white after the European tradition, will visit each classroom.
A Visit from St. Nicholas promotes the importance of literacy and giving to children who may not otherwise experience the joy of the holiday season. Since 2003, HandsOn Jacksonville has served more than 100,000 First Coast students, infusing $5 million in goods and services into the most challenged schools.
To learn more, visit handsonjacksonville.org/magic.
Living nativity is Dec. 18 in Riverside
L’Arche Jacksonville, founded as Harbor House, invites the community to attend the 28th annual Living Nativity at 7 p.m. Dec. 18.
The event will be at Riverside Park United Methodist Church at 819 Park St. Pre-show music by the Jacksonville Suzuki Strings will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The Living Nativity is a free family-friendly event open to the public. All are welcome to meet the performers and enjoy refreshments afterwards.
FreshMinistries selling discounted Jags tickets
FreshMinistries is selling tickets for upcoming Jacksonville Jaguars home games at reduced prices to raise money to support the ministry’s programs.
Tickets at a 30 percent discount are available for the Jaguars vs. the Indianapolis Colts, Dec. 13, $30 per ticket, and the Jaguars vs. the Atlanta Falcons, Dec. 20, $40 per ticket.
Both games are 1 p.m at EverBank Field. Discounted tickets are limited and must be picked up from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the FreshMinistries office at 1131 N. Laura St.
For details, call (904) 355-0000.