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.
Sulzbacher Center serves community round-the-clock
On any given night, there are 3,000 homeless men, women and children living in Jacksonville. Each one is in need of immediate assistance. But just as important, each one deserves the chance to achieve a better life with safe housing, reliable income and access to health care. That is why the Sulzbacher Center exists – to offer comprehensive services which transform lives and help people in need find the way home.
The Sulzbacher Center is Northeast Florida’s only provider of 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week services for homeless individuals. Programs include:
• Case management with one-on-one support for every resident.
• Medical, dental and mental health care.
• Nutritious meals three meals a day, every day of the year to anyone who is hungry.
• Job placement assistance.
• Life skills education.
• Children’s programs.
• Street outreach.
In 2008, the Sulzbacher Center was home to 2,147 homeless members of our community, 477 of whom were children. In contrast to the common misperception that homeless people are transients, more than 73 percent of our residents were from Duval County and more than 84 percent were from Florida. In addition, 62 percent of residents held high school diplomas, GEDs or had post-secondary education.
The Sulzbacher Center’s meal program has seen a dramatic increase in demand. In January 2008, we served 36,924 meals and in December 2008 we served 38,731. For the calendar year, a record 430,686 meals were served to the hungry of Jacksonville. The number of people seeking help is also on the rise. On Jan. 12, 44 single men, 12 single women and 12 families were on the waiting list for shelter. Those numbers are expected to increase as the year progresses.
The goal of the Sulzbacher Center is to restore stability to the lives of homeless men, women and children, helping them gain the income, safe housing and access to health care they need to live independent, productive lives in the community. At the Sulzbacher Center, we know how to accomplish these ambitious goals. And we can continue to achieve them with the help of gifts and donations, the work of volunteers and the generous spirit of our community.
To learn more, please contact the Sulzbacher Center or visit us at www.sulzbachercenter.org.
– Submitted by Colleen Farris, Sulzbacher Center director of public relations
5,280 feet one step at a time for charity
Stellar Foundation will present the “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” 1-mile walk and 5K run Downtown March 28 beginning at 9 a.m. The event will benefit the Sulzbacher Center. Registration for the run is $25 until March 21, then $30 until race day. Walkers may participate for $20. Registration forms are available at any 1st Place Sports location or at www.1stplacesports.com.. For more information call 394-1646.
Horse show to benefit zoo
The North Florida Hunter Jumper Association will hold its 14th Annual Grand Prix International Horse Show and Kid’s carnival Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Prizes will include a 40-inch Sony LCD television (which the winner can take home to watch the Super Bowl later that day). Admission to the horse show and kid’s carnival are free with a $5 parking donation. Tickets to the Outback Steakhouse luncheon are on sale on-line at www.jaxzoo.org for $35 for adults, $12 for children or $75 for a family pack of four tickets. All proceeds will benefit the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. For details call 757-2000 or visit the zoo’s Web site.
Red Rose Ball
St. Vincent HealthCare Foundation’s “Red Rose Ball” will feature the works of local artist Elisa Olderman Johnson, who combines photography with X-ray imaging. The black-tie event will be held Feb. 6 at the Marriott Southpoint and will benefit the St. Luke’s Patient-Family Imaging Waiting Center. This year’s title sponsor is Wachovia, presenting sponsors are Bacardi Bottling Company and Premier Beverage. A limited number of tickets are available for $300 per person. For reservations or details, call 308-7338.
Humane Society issues challenge
The Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) has issued a challenge to local businesses to raise money for the animal welfare and education center’s first Trail of Tails Pet Walk and Festival. The company that raises the most money for the event will name the adoption center’s cat cabana.
“This fun event offers a great chance for Jacksonville businesses to enjoy some friendly competition for a great cause,” said JHS Executive Director Leona Sheddan.
The team that raises the second-highest amount of money will name the puppy room while the team in third place will name the cattery.
Walkers can register or get more information at www.jaxhumane.org prior to the walk and are also encouraged to create sponsor pages at www.firstgiving.com/jaxhumane to invite friends to donate money for their walk.
The event is Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. at Friendship Park on the Southbank. Individual entry is $30 per person or $25 per person for team members. Animals walk with their owners at no charge.
JHS was founded in 1885 and serves more than 4,000 animals each year. The organization is dedicated to finding permanent homes for animals by matching people with the pet that is right for them.
Champagne and song
A Champagne brunch and “Sunday Serenade” to benefit the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus will be held Feb. 22 at noon at 1711 Restaurant on Edgewood Avenue South. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased at www.jaxchildrenschorus.com. For details call 346-1636.