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.
New program at Big Brothers Big Sisters
In an effort to increase male involvement, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida (BBBSNEFL) is rolling out Sports Buddies, an activity-based mentoring program.
Though Sports Buddies is intended to increase male involvement, the program is for male and female adult volunteers who are sports enthusiasts. The program is similar to the community-based program BBBSNEFL offers, except it enables adult volunteers to bond over the common interest of sports with their “Little Brother” or “Little Sister.”
Sports Buddies matches will have access to free and group-rated tickets to sporting events as well as sports-related participatory activities. The program is designed for sports enthusiasts who are ready, willing and able to volunteer as a mentor. Sports teach life skills, goal setting, character, and sportsmanship. Sports Buddies is an opportunity for children to experience sporting and recreational activities that were once out of reach.
Volunteers who are Sports Buddies will be matched with youngsters who are currently on the waiting list for a mentor. Many have been waiting for a year or more. Sports Buddies will be asked to volunteer for at least one year, attending or participating in a sporting activity two times a month.
Sports Buddies matches will have access to the following:
• Tickets to professional sporting events during the year.
• Access to community sporting opportunities.
• Participatory activities such as flag football, swimming, basketball, bike riding trips, etc.
Sport Buddies matches will also be exposed to:
• BBBS’ regular match activities.
• Health, fitness and wellness programs.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest youth mentoring organization in the United States and has been serving the Jacksonville area since 1915. BBBSNEFL recruits, interviews, screens and trains volunteers who want to make a difference in a child’s life and matches them with children who want and need a caring “Big” in their life. The organization currently serves more than 1,700 matches through professionally supported one-to-one relationships.
To become more involved in your community and make a difference in a child’s life call 727-9797 or visit wwwbbbsnefl.org.
Weavers endow seniors fund
The Senior To Senior Fund, which provides emergency assistance to seniors in need, has received a $1.5 million gift from Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, creating an endowment that will enable the fund to continue its work in perpetuity.
“So many seniors in our community live in financially fragile circumstances,” said Kathleen Shaw, who oversees the Senior To Senior Fund for The Community Foundation. “Until now, there has been no permanent source of funding to provide help in times of need. We are particularly grateful to the Weavers for recognizing this need and taking the first steps to fill the void.”
The Senior To Senior Fund was established in December 2007 with a lead gift from the Weavers, who recognized the many small but critical financial needs that often confront senior citizens living on limited incomes. During its first year, 105 seniors were assisted through the fund.
In addition to the Weavers, founding donors of the Senior To Senior Fund include Ann Baker, David Stein, Jack Uible and Jim Van Vleck.
“We encourage other donors to support this endowment,” said Delores Barr Weaver. “I would particularly encourage younger donors, who are fortunate enough to feel their own parents’ futures are secure, to consider contributing to help others who are not as fortunate.”
The Community Foundation in Jacksonville works to stimulate philanthropy in order to build a better community. The oldest community foundation in Florida, it has assets of $119 million.
Hunters help Salvation Army
Hundreds of hungry people from the Jacksonville community were treated to a nightly feast of venison chili, venison spaghetti and deer steaks thanks to more than 900 pounds of meat donated by the Safari Club International Foundation’s “Sportsman Against Hunger” program. Afterwards, members of the Safari Club’s Northeast Florida Chapter presented a donation in the amount of $500 to The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida.
The contribution of 24 deer by SCI’s Northeast Florida Chapter is an example of how the Safari Club International Foundation program shares nature’s bounty worldwide. Hunters have the opportunity to use venison, a resource they have hunted, to provide high protein meals to hungry folks in the community.
“This donation couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Major Jim Arrowood, Area Commander for The Salvation Army of NE Florida. “The demand for food is skyrocketing while the donations remain down. We are struggling to keep up with the numbers.”
The Salvation Army’s various programs of emergency assistance in Northeast Florida provide more than 330,000 meals each year to the homeless, working poor and those in crisis.
Lemonade for hunger relief
Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida is teaming with local Panera Bread bakery-cafes to fight child hunger in Jacksonville with a new Lemonade for Hunger Aid campaign. The effort began with a $27,000 donation to Second Harvest and an innovative community challenge that could raise thousands more to feed disadvantaged children in the community.
Second Harvest and Panera Bread are encouraging parents to help their children start their own lemonade stands throughout area neighborhoods this summer. A new Web site, www.lemonade4hungeraid.com, explains how Panera Bread will match proceeds from the neighborhood lemonade stands to help Second Harvest fight hunger.
Panera Bread also has pledged to donate $1 for each of its new frozen lemonade treats sold in their 12 Jacksonville area locations this summer. Proceeds will benefit Second Harvest’s Kids Cafe Summer Feeding Program which serves more than 10,000 meals per week while children are out of school.
“Nearly half of all Jacksonville children rely on free or reduced lunch during the school year,” said Thomas Mantz, executive director of Second Harvest. “Even mild malnutrition can have a negative impact on a child’s development and our Kids Cafe Summer Feeding Program helps keep children healthy and nourished through the summer months.”
Two events raise nearly $37,000
daniel kids’ inaugural Jacksonville Backyard BBQ Championships had 1,000 people in attendance and raised nearly $12,000 for daniel’s Glyn Cook Memorial Scholarship. More than 20 of the best amateur barbecue chefs in the area served chicken, pork and ribs as Jaguar football players David Garrard, Mkristo Bruce, Charles Davis and Greg Estandia judged the competition. Funds raised at the event will help provide financial assistance to qualified daniel kids seeking to further their education at a university, college, or trade school.
Another event, the 7th Annual CSX Charity Train, the company’s signature charitable event, raised $25,000 to support the efforts of daniel kids. Guests were treated to an elegant dinner and entertainment that aided selected charities. This was the third year daniel was selected to be one of the recipients.
Golfers help support CFF
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation raised $85,000 during the recent 10th Annual 65 Roses Golf and Tennis Tournament at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club.
“We had a fabulous turnout and would like to thank everyone, including our sponsors and participants, for their tremendous support,” said Claudia Werner, executive director of the Northeast Florida Cystic Fibrosis Foundation office.
Sponsors for the tournament included W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc., Bank of America Tower, Kay & Geoff Jollay and Bing & Associates, P.A., the Dalton Agency, The Hartley Press and Cantina Laredo.
Art auction to benefit children’s organization
Jacksonville Children’s Chorus is hosting an art auction benefit in partnership with Azalea Fine Art and sponsored by The Allegro at Fleming Island July 11 at 7 p.m. in Leatherbury Hall at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church. The art auction preview will be held at 6:00 p.m.
“What is exciting about this art auction is that it includes contests, hors d’oeuvres by Ruby Tuesdays, raffles, beer and wine. With art starting anywhere from $45 to several thousand dollars and the average price falling in the popular $100 to $500 range there will be something for every budget,” said Darren Dailey, artistic and executive director of the chorus.
Proceeds from the event will be used to fund the ensemble’s music education programs. Tickets are $15. Call 346-1636 or visit www.jaxchildrenschorus.com to purchase tickets.