by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Winn-Dixie spread some holiday cheer to five area nonprofits during a “better holidays, better communities” ceremony Tuesday at the Dreams Come True office in Southside.
The $25,000 donations went to local nonprofits Dreams Come True, the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, Jewish Family & Community Services, RealSense Prosperity Campaign and the United Negro College Fund.
“Now more than ever, people need organizations to give back to these nonprofits that give back to the community,” said Dan Portnoy, Winn-Dixie chief merchandising and marketing director. “Today, we (Winn-Dixie) wanted to show our continuing support of what they (nonprofits) do.”
The $125,000 total was part of a $1.5 million fundraising effort by Winn-Dixie through its charity golf tournament.
The donations weren’t lost on any of the recipients, especially given the current shaky economic climate.
“Donations like this mean everything in these tough times,” said Sherry Paramore, area development director for the United Negro College Fund. “They really help the students (the United Negro College Fund assist) who are struggling as much as anyone.”
For Iris Young and the Jewish Family & Community Services, the donation will help restock the shelves of the emergency pantry that serves on average 7,000 people a year. Young, executive director of the organization, said with the economy down, the number of people who have sought assistance — including many first timers — has also increased.
Additionally, the donations will help grant more “wishes” for children of Dreams Come True, continue to fund programs for the children of the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation and increase the prosperity of economically challenged families for RealSense.
“I think what you see is an outpouring of support,” said Karen Brune Mathis, executive director of Dreams Come True. “These funds will make a difference for clients of all of these nonprofits.”
One of Dreams Come True’s beneficiaries, Abigail Schneider, spoke during the event and detailed her battle with brain tumors and the “wish” trip she was able to go due to the organization. Schneider went to New York City to meet her idol, “Today” show anchor Ann Curry, whom she started admiring during her time watching TV while in rehabilitation.
Ken Johnson, aide to U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, was also on hand to show Brown’s and his support for the organizations. From Brown via Johnson, each of the nonprofit leaders received a personal letter of recognition for the work each organization does to improve the local community.
“You all simply make lives better,” said Johnson to each organization head.
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