from staff
As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this page that will each week chronicle the efforts of local nonprofit organizations. Bailey Publishing & Communications invites 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 encourage 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.
NPO marks $100 million milestone
Dignity U Wear, the Jacksonville-based national nonprofit that provides brand new clothing to men, women and children in need, has distributed clothing valued in excess of $100 million since it was first founded in 2000, said Executive Director Bob Bryan.
“This is a real milestone for our relatively young organization,” said Bryan. “Henri Landwirth, our founder, began the organization out of his garage to help provide new socks and underwear to the homeless. It didn’t take long before the organization grew and we began receiving all types of clothing from manufacturers and retailers. Now, nine quick years later, we have provided 5.7 pieces of clothing to 390,000 people throughout the country, valued at $101 million.”
Landwirth, a well-known philanthropist who survived the Holocaust, still serves on Dignity U Wear’s board of directors.
Dignity U Wear distributes the clothing it receives through social service agencies, schools and other organizations throughout the United States. According to Bryan, the nonprofit is a one-stop resource for the apparel industry as manufacturers look to move excess inventory, overruns and seasonal merchandise off their warehouse shelves to make room for new merchandise.
“When manufacturers and retailers make clothing donations to us, whether it’s a box or a trailer load, they not only create the space they need for new product and realize assorted tax benefits, they know we will maximize the distribution of the clothing to assure it gets to the people who need it most. We already have the agency network. The relationships are in place. We can distribute the clothing efficiently and effectively,” said Bryan.
Dignity U Wear receives no City, State or federal funding. The organization is funded solely through foundation grants and private donations. Volunteers process all of the incoming inventory, providing 95 percent of the time and labor necessary to accomplish the task.
For more information about Dignity U Wear call 636-9455 or visit www.dignityuwear.org
Run for charity Saturday
The 14th annual Vestcor 5K Bridges Run is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The course will take runners through the streets of Downtown beginning at Hemming Plaza and crossing over the Main Street and Acosta bridges. Participants will cross the finish line on Duval Street in front of City Hall.
All race entry fees benefit local nonprofit organizations including Children’s Miracle Network, Arc of Jacksonville, Brooks Health Foundation, Shands Trauma One, Families First and more. Following the race, participants will have a block party with live music, free food, beer and other refreshments.
Entry fee is $25 in advance, $30 on race day. For more details, go to www.1stplacesports.com.
Networking group supports Ronald McDonald House
Young professionals on the First Coast helped raise more than $1,000 at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville.
The gathering was part of the “Thursday Night Drinking Club” which provides a social atmosphere for local young professionals looking to network.
Attendees had the chance to win tickets to the 2010 Players Championship, a full TaylorMade MATT Fitting at the TOUR Academy TPC Sawgrass or a social membership at TPC Sawgrass.
“The evening was a great success. The young professionals of Jacksonville came out in force and raised $1,185 in a two-hour time frame, with all monies going directly to support the Ronald McDonald House,” said Cate Cheevers, catering sales manager for TPC Sawgrass. “We look forward to hosting these young philanthropists again in the future.”
Golfing for Justice Coalition
With more than 100 golfers competing for prizes the 3rd annual Longhorn Steakhouse Golf Classic to benefit the Justice Coalition proved to be a big success. The tournament at Amelia River Golf Club brought in approximate net receipts of $12,000.
Matt Leipau, manager of Longhorn Steakhouse on Airport Road, organized the tournament with the assistance of restaurant managers from the Jacksonville area, as well as Fleming Island and Brunswick, Ga.
“They all pitched in when we needed them,” said Leipau. “Because of our schedules, we could only put in so much time and effort but they all came together on game day.”
The Justice Coalition was founded in 1995 as a grassroots organization seeking rights for victims in the criminal justice system. The Justice Coalition works to change the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which includes Duval, Clay and Nassau counties, by educating elected officials and others about needs in the criminal justice system for better laws and more justice for victims of crimes. The organization keeps the public informed and involved through its monthly newspaper “The Victim’s Advocate.”
Fishing to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announces the Oldest City Red Trout Classic presented by PSS WorldMedical will be Oct. 15-17 at the Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor in St. Augustine. The event is a catch and release tournament and is part of the Redbone Red-Trout Tournament Series. Guides and anglers will team up to catch redfish and trout while raising money to support medical research for cystic fibrosis.
Kevin English, senior vice president of supplier operations for PSS WorldMedical has returned to chair the event.
“The popularity of this tournament continues to grow and we are honored by the generosity and excitement shown by our sponsors and participants during the event,” said English. “Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the foundation and the ongoing, vital research needed to find a cure for cystic fibrosis.”
Sponsors for the event include Presenting Sponsor PSS WorldMedical and Angler Sponsors Ireland’s Quality Construction, Inc., CSI Tech, Hazouri Electric, Vital Diagnostic, Corporate Traffic and Zurich Insurance Services, Inc. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available ranging from $10,000 to $250. Many sponsorships include an assigned captain, boat and two angler spots. To sponsor or participate in the tournament contact Angela Costa at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 733-3560 or e-mail [email protected].
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is the leading organization devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis (CF), a life shortening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system causing serious complications.
The CFF is recognized as one of the most efficient charities in the country. The foundation received a coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the largest charity evaluator in the United States. According to Charity Navigator, the CFF demonstrates excellence in fiscal responsibility and outperforms most nonprofit organizations in America with respect to fiscal management.
With the support of the CFF there have been significant advances in CF research and care. The median survival age has improved from early childhood in the 1950s to 37 years today. After more than 50 years of service, the CFF remains committed to its core mission: to assure a means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease.
For more information, visit www.cff.org or call the North Florida CFF office at 733-3560.