As our community continues to struggle with a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established a page that will appear on a weekly basis to feature local non-profit organizations. We invite all members of the local non-profit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and any other information they feel would be of interest to our readers. We also hope that this will enable readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they try to continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Sulzbacher Center
Holiday cards help the homeless
The Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless is selling holiday greeting cards that will provide a night at the center for someone or a family in need. This year demand for meals, lodging and medical services at the center has almost doubled. The cards feature artwork painted by a child who is living at the center and the message, “In celebration of the holidays, the gift of a good night at the Sulzbacher Center for a homeless man, woman or child has been given in your honor.” The project has been underwritten by Citi so 100 percent of card purchases fund overnight shelter for homeless people. The donation is $15 each for up to 24 cards, $12 each for 25-49, $10 each for 50-99, $7 each for 100-249 and $5 each for 250 or more cards. To order cards, visit www.toallagoodnight.org or call 394-8084.
FOP Foundation
Police pitch in to help food bank
The Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police Foundation joined Allied Veterans of the World for a combined $27,500 cash donation to Second Harvest Food Bank to help provide groceries to people in need. In addition, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has established drop-off points for nonperishable food items at all six JSO substations from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. until Dec. 19. Food may also be dropped off at the Fraternal Order of Police headquarters at 5530 Beach Blvd. and all donations will be distributed by the Second Harvest Food Bank.
USO
Serving military personnel and their families
The Greater Jacksonville Area USO has again this year scheduled a slate of holiday activities to benefit the 115,000 military men and women in the community. The organization provides more than $1 million annually of in-kind services military men and women and their families.
• The USO volunteered time at the Annual St. Augustine PAL Day Saturday. With valid military ID, active duty personnel and their families were admitted free to all attractions in St. Augustine including the Alligator Farm, Castillo de San Marco and the Fountain of Youth. For the 51st consecutive year, a complimentary lunch was served to military personnel courtesy of the Elk’s Lodge No. 829.
• The USO’s Cadillac Invitational Golf Tournament is Dec. 15 at Hidden Hills Country Club. Sponsored by Nimnicht Cadillac and hosted by AM-1010’s Tom McManus, the event allows handicapped teams to compete for the grand prize of playing in the four-day Cadillac Invitational National Finals in January at TPC Sawgrass. Non-handicapped players are eligible for other prizes. All funds raised will support the Greater Jacksonville Area USO.
• Volunteers are also packing more than 200 gift baskets with enough donated food to feed four people that will be distributed to military families in hardship. The USO always accepts food and other donations and anything not used during the holidays is stored and distributed throughout the year.
For information on any of these events, call 778-2821 or e-mail: [email protected].
Jacksonville Children’s Chorus
Holiday CD benefits Guardian ad Litem program
The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus has partnered with Voices for Children of the First Coast to offer a CD of classic holiday songs. Underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, proceeds from sales of the CD titled, “Voices for Voices,” will benefit the chorus and the Guardian ad Litem program through support from Voices for Children of the First Coast. More than 2,500 children are currently in the dependency court and many more volunteer guardians are needed to advocate for the children as they make their way through the legal process. CDs are $12 each and may ne purchased by calling the Guardian ad Litem office at 630-1200 ot the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus office at 346-1636.
Tom Coughlin Jay Fund
Tea and teddy bears at the beach
One Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa in Atlantic Beach is hosting several holiday events to benefit the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation:
• The Docent High Tea will be held each Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. through Dec. 20. Open-faced sandwiches and desserts will be served. Teas include a selection of gourmet black, oolong, green, white, red and herbal varieties. $25 per person, reservations required.
• The Teddy Bear Tea will be held from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 20-23. Children ages 2-12 will sample teas and fresh baked pastries and participate in face painting and holiday cookie decorating. There will also be a visit from the Ice Princess. Tickets are $25 per child and children are asked to bring and donate a teddy bear. Reservations are required.
• Several area businesses have helped decorate holiday trees that are on display in One Ocean’s lobby. Gifts under the trees have been provided by Mercedes-Benz, Jacksonville Luxury Living magazine and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The gifts will be auctioned at a reception Jan. 7 and proceeds will benefit the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation. There is no charge to view the trees; reception tickets are $50 per person and reservations are required.
For reservations, call 249-7402 or visit www.oneoceanresort.com.