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.
The Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida helps local nonprofits stand out
The Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida (www.nonprofitctr.org) has set a goal to ensure local nonprofit organizations are the most competitive in the nation as they seek funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as “The Stimulus Bill.”
The Nonprofit Center Recovery Coordination Project supports local organizations as they seek ARRA funding and establish partnerships in the community to provide effective and efficient use of funding and service utilization. The goal of the project is to maximize the ability of local nonprofits to participate in the recovery response. The project features technical assistance with applications, research, and coordination of partnerships that strengthen any proposals they are submitting.
“This is not about helping organizations chase money that does not fit their mission or ability. It is all about recognizing that nonprofits are part of the engine helping the economy get back on its feet. Not only do nonprofits hire people and contribute to the economy but the business of nonprofits often involves helping those that are hurting in this recession,” said Rena Coughlin, executive director of the Nonprofit Center.
As part of this coordination response, the Nonprofit Center will dedicate staff to provide technical assistance, broker partnerships and provide updates on opportunities. At the end of the project, the Center will provide a report to the community about the impact of the Recovery Act on local nonprofits and the effect those organizations had on the local economy.
The Nonprofit Center selected a local nonprofit veteran, Marcus Haile, to lead the coordination effort and evaluate the results. Haile has 15 years of experience with local nonprofits including a successful track record in grant writing and advocacy. “I want to make certain local organizations have the right tools to help Northeast Florida get ahead of the economic curve by making sound proposals based on measurable results and collaborating with all the right partners who can get the job done,” said Haile.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (www.recovery.gov) became law in February with fast-track funds to create new jobs and help those most impacted by the recession. Many of its provisions rely on nonprofits for implementation. However, Recovery Act funds are being dispersed through a wide array of federal, state and local agencies with equally diverse timelines. The Nonprofit Center’s Recovery Act Project is made possible by funding from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Lucy Gooding Charitable Trust Fund and the Blue Foundation.
“What is unprecedented about this is the level of involvement of nonprofit organizations in the recovery. It is a testament to the quality of work and integral role such organizations play in the fabric of each community,” said Coughlin.
For more information about the Recovery Act Project contact Haile at 390-3222 or [email protected]. Visit the Nonprofit Center’s Recovery Act resource page at http://www.nonprofitctr.org/resourcesoptions.asp?rmID=34. You can also sign up for their Recovery Act Update mailing list at http://www.nonprofitctr.org/npcstandinglist.asp?eid=1114.
‘Foodfight’ Thursday benefits Second Harvest Food Bank
Fine food and spirits will abound - along with a festive battle for best culinary presentation Thursday when the 19th Annual “Jacksonville Foodfight” takes place at the Crown Royal Touchdown Club East in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
This year’s event will bring together more than 45 of the First Coast’s finest restaurants, caterers and beverage wholesalers for a friendly competition where partygoers prove to be the biggest winners. The event has raised nearly $1 million to help fight hunger in Jacksonville over the last 18 years and organizers hope to raise at least $85,000 this year with all proceeds benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida.
Tickets for the event are $50 for general admission ($60 at the door) and $75 for VIP access, both of which include tastes of dishes prepared by the top restaurant chefs in the city, along with numerous beverages and live entertainment. The VIP admission entitles partygoers to a private VIP reception with special food and drinks from 6-6:30 p.m. in a private seating area that is available throughout the event.
A silent auction will also be held along with a raffle that features prizes such as a Jacksonville Jaguars Gameday Experience package, 12 facial acupuncture treatments from Dr. Kelly Huber, an eight-bottle in-home wine tasting from PRP Wine, a Kingsford 22.5-inch kettle grill, Chick-fil-A for a year and many others.
Food distribution at Second Harvest has steadily risen in recent years, from 6.62 million pounds in 2007, to 7.65 million in 2008 and a projected 8.9 million pounds in 2009.
To order tickets or purchase sponsorship packages, visit www.JacksonvilleFOODFIGHT.org or call 739-7074.
200 guests raise funds at luncheon for respite care
They sang. They danced. Some even charged tips to supply silverware. But when they were finished, 15 “Spectacular Servers” helped raise more than $19,000 to help families caring for special needs children during the inaugural “Kelsi Young Gift of Care Luncheon” at Carrabba’s Italian Grill May 14. Proceeds from the luncheon and the individual dancing-and-singing-for-tips efforts of the servers will help provide respite care for children in the Community PedsCare program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
“Children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions like those in the Community PedsCare program have specialized medical care needs which means it’s not often possible to rely on a neighborhood teenage baby sitter or even other family members so the parents can run errands or simply have a break,” said DeAnn Collins, executive director of Community Hospice Foundation.
Sponsored by the DuBow Family Foundation and The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, the Kelsi Young Gift of Care Luncheon offered approximately 200 guests the unique opportunity to enjoy lunch. Carrabba’s, which usually only serves dinner, was the presenting sponsor and donated all the food and staff time. Augmenting the Carrabba’s staff were 15 “Spectacular Servers” – notable individuals from the community who knew or cared for Kelsi and wanted to lend their support by helping to raise money for the fund. Spectacular Servers included: Dr. Jerry Bridgham, Dr. Jeff Goldhagen, Mel Gottlieb, Dr. Lloyd Granat, Dr. Kelly Komatz, Jill McGriff, Debbie Parker, Betty Petway, Dr. Paul Pitel, Susan Ponder-Stansel, Laine Silverfield, Steve Silverman, David Stein, Karen Wolfson and Elli Zimmerman.
Established in 1979 as the first hospice program in Northeast Florida, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida helps nearly 900 patients live better with advanced illness each day in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, through the support of approximately 700 employees and 900 volunteers. The nonprofit organization has served more than 53,000 children and adults at home, in long term care facilities, hospitals and through four inpatient care centers throughout Jacksonville. Community Hospice Foundation generates philanthropic and community support for patient care services, family needs and community programs such as Community PedsCare, a pediatric palliative and hospice program. No one is ever denied care due to an inability to pay. To learn more about the support and services of Community Hospice, visit www.communityhospice.com.