from staff
As our community continues to struggle with a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this page that will each week feature local nonprofit organizations. We invite all members of the local nonprofit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and any other information they feel would be of interest to our readers. E-mail to: [email protected].
We also hope that this will enable our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they try to continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Report coming out Monday
The 2009 State of Jacksonville’s Children: Racial and Ethnic Disparities Report will be released Monday at 10 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
Jacksonville Children’s Commission CEO Linda Lanier, board chair Dr. Anne Egan, and board member, former State Sen. Betty Holzendorf, will present report highlights revealing disparities in opportunities and outcomes for children of different races living in Jacksonville.
Mayor John Peyton and City Council President Ronnie Fussell will share why the information in this report is important to the future of the city.
January is National Mentoring Month
The Jacksonville Children’s Commission believes one of the most powerful forces in a child’s life is the presence of a caring adult and many local children are in need of such people.
Since June 2008, the Children’s Commission has been background screening and training mentors.
If you would like to become a mentor, visit the Commission’s Web site at http://www.coj.net/Departments/Childrens+Commission/Training+and+Mentoring/default.htm for information about upcoming training opportunities or call the Training Institute at 630-7265.
ElderSource expands hours for help line
ElderSource, the Aging Resource Center and Area Agency on Aging for Northeast Florida, has expanded its hours of operation for the Elder Helpline (904-391-6699 or toll free 1-888-242-4464).
The service provides information and referral assistance that links callers, older persons and their caregivers to local resources. Professionally-trained referral specialists can answer general inquiries and direct callers to the appropriate service to address their needs. The service is provided for residents of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia counties.
Effective immediately, the service will be available Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. The Elder Helpline will be closed on weekends and all federally observed holidays.
Permanent home for Hope House
The Salvation Army Hope House, also known as Hope Ministries, now has a permanent home thanks to Advisory Board member and attorney Buddy Jacobs of Fernandina Beach. Jacobs transferred the deed to the property which Hope House currently occupies to the Salvation Army. The building at 410 S. 9th St. in Fernandina Beach is valued at $360,000. Hope House has provided material and spiritual aid for individuals and families in North Florida for 12 years.
Hope House directors approached the Salvation Army in 2006 to explore the possibility of joining forces.
“Our missions are pretty much identical,” said Major. Jim Arrowood, area commander for the Salvation Army. “We address the most basic needs among those that hurt the most and we do it in the context of Christ’s command to ‘do unto others’. With the donation of this property we will be able to continue to flourish in Nassau County, providing even more vital programs to neighbors in need.”
Durbin Crossing Holiday Showhomes
Six builders collaborated to present the inaugural Holiday Showhomes Tour at Durbin Crossing in St. Johns County. They collected more than 450 pounds of food and toys, $2,500 for Builders Care and an additional $435 in donations for Trinity Rescue Mission.
Hundreds of families toured the model homes that were decorated for the holidays. Sponsoring builders were Beazer Homes, Holder Johnson Homes, Mercedes Homes, Providence Homes, Ryland Homes and Toll Brothers. Decorators included Woodsman Kitchens & Floors, Lifestyle Interiors, Divine Interiors, Alexis Dane, Inc., Merchandising Plus, Bad Alice’s and Design Elements.
For more information, go to www.durbincrossing.com.
Golf tournament to benefit daniel
The 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit daniel will be held March 16 at Timuquana Country Club. There will be a morning and afternoon shotgun start as well as lunch and gifts. After completion of play there will be a cocktail reception with live and silent auctions. There will also be a drawing for a trip for four to the U. S. Open golf tournament including air fare, five nights accommodations in Manhattan and tickets for three rounds of the event at Bethpage Black. There will be 1,000 tickets at $100 each sold for the drawing. All proceeds will go to support the programs daniel provides for more than 1,000 abused, abandoned and neglected children. For sponsorship information or to purchase tickets for the prize drawing, go to www.danielkids.org or call 296-1055, ext. 1003.
Shrine Bowl football game at Mandarin High School
The 20th Annual Shrine Bowl football game will be held Jan. 17 Mandarin High School. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Each year, some of Florida’s best senior players donate their time to play in their final high school football game. Last year, 16 players were offered scholarships to play football in college. For ticket information, call 262-8305.
Morocco Shrine Center of Jacksonville sponsors the game as a fund raiser to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. It’s a 22-unit health care system dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care and research in the areas of orthopedic conditions, burns and spinal cord injuries.
This year there will also be a golf tournament Friday at the Country Club of Orange Park. The public is welcome to enter for $85 per person or $300 to sponsor a foursome. Registration and lunch will begin at 11 a.m. For details, call Ken Harris at 509-1271.