by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
People have as many reasons to volunteer their time and talent to causes and nonprofit organizations as there are causes and nonprofits to support. Some get involved because they are invited to join the effort. For others it’s personal when a particular cause has touched their lives.
There’s even a nonprofit organization in Jacksonville that helps connect people with causes. That’s important when someone knows they’d like to contribute their time and talent, but they’re not sure where to start or who to call.
For Maxine McBride, president of Clockwork Marketing in Ponte Vedra Beach, the motivation was something that truly hit home when she got married in 1981. That’s when she became the stepmother of two children with cystic fibrosis. McBride began a journey that has led her to become a passionate advocate for the cause.
“I became involved when cystic fibrosis became a part of my life,” she said. “I have learned so much over the years by witnessing the routine CF patients go through every day just to stay alive.”
McBride started volunteering with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2000.
“At that time I was pretty new to fundraising,” she said.
With her background in public relations, she gravitated toward planning an event that would raise money for medical research. Supporting the quest for a cure for the disease and education are the primary goals of the organization.
“I wanted it to be something fun and out-of-the-box,” said McBride.
That concept led to the launch of the Florida Chapter of the CF Foundation’s “Moonlight Martinis.” The fundraising event combines a social setting and networking with cocktails.
The event has become an annual mainstay of the foundation’s calendar of projects, generating thousands of dollars and raising awareness of the disease. McBride also contributes quite a bit of PR expertise.
“Public relations can be very effective for a nonprofit organization because it’s the best way to communicate a complex message. Also, the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has a policy to spend no money on advertising so that every dollar raised can go to research,” she said.
That passion for volunteering is also part of the corporate culture at Clockwork Marketing. McBride encourages her staff to find a cause and even allows them to volunteer on company time.
“Everyone gets paid days for their community service. We also encourage all of our clients to get involved with a cause,” said McBride.
In addition to the CF Foundation, McBride also devotes time and energy to serving on the board of directors of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.
“If I didn’t have a business I’d spend all my time raising funds. I have a very full life, but giving of your talents brings such great rewards, Raising the money is important but it’s also important to inspire others to get involved,” she said.
For business owner Doug Ganson, the genesis of his philanthropy was more commercial than emotional. He was invited to join the board of directors of the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition seven years ago and is currently its chairperson.
“They wanted the viewpoint of someone whose business can be affected by homelessness,” said Ganson, who owns Sundrez Cards and Gifts and Dipper Dan’s Ice Cream at the Landing in addition to the For All Seasons store at the AT&T Building.
Over the years his volunteerism and philanthropy have evolved. Ganson said he’s come to the conclusion that, “For me to sleep at night, I have to give something back. I believe everyone should volunteer for something.”
He’s also involved with charity events for Dreams Come True.
“It’s just like with Emergency Services. My involvement started slowly but as time goes by I’m getting more involved,” said Ganson.
In 1973 an organization was formed in Jacksonville to help connect volunteers with charitable organizations and projects that needed to be done in the community. Aptly named “Volunteer Jacksonville” it operated under that name until 2006 when the name was changed to “HandsOn Jacksonville.”
More than the name has changed since the organization’s founding. Originally a clearinghouse intended to connect people with projects, the organization has become a resource of knowledge and expertise.
“We collaborate with local nonprofits to help solve serious problems that face this community. We provide project-managed assistance,” said HandsOn Jacksonville Community Relations Director Lynn Weise Mora.
Last year more than 3,000 volunteers contributed to more than 300 projects managed by the organization. With about 50 volunteer opportunities listed at any given time on www.handsonjacksonville.org finding a way to make a contribution is easy but that’s just the beginning of the process.
“There’s more to it than just posting the opportunities,” said Mora. “We try to match the interests of each volunteer to a project. We also provide education. Our goal is retention so that people continue to volunteer and make their own contributions.”
HandsOn Jacksonville has made other more global contributions in its history. Initiatives have been launched to encourage volunteerism among specific groups including corporations and youth groups. Mora said one the most influential is “Blueprint for Leadership,” a program that started 30 years ago.
“It was originally founded to get more women and minorities on the boards of organizations. Over the years we have infused hundreds of people into nonprofits to better reflect the community,” said Mora.
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