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Highlighting Jacksonville’s Philanthropic Community
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.
Parrot Heads support hospice for children
Members of Northeast Florida’s social and charitable organization Parrot Heads in Natural Settings, Inc. (PHINS) gave $12,000 to Community PedsCare, the pediatric program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. PHINS immediate past president Wayne McDowell along with club members presented the check to Community PedsCare patient Emily Warren and staff from Community PedsCare and Community Hospice.
Funds were raised at the annual Parrot Head Open golf tournament held at the Slammer & Squire, World Golf Village. It was the 12th year for the tournament. PHINS has held the tournament to benefit Community PedsCare since 2005 and in that time has raised a total of $49,000 for the program.
Community PedsCare is a program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in collaboration with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Clinic and the University of Florida. Philanthropy funds the vast majority of the program which serves children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and provides support for their families.
PHINS is a social club whose members enjoy the music of Jimmy Buffett and the laid-back island lifestyle. In addition to its social activities the club is committed to local charitable causes.
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 in 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.
Tee off with Kiwanis
The Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville is hosting a charity golf tournament to benefit Kiwanis Club Charities and Project SOS Sept. 28 at St. Johns Golf & Country Club in St. Augustine.
This year’s hole-in-one prizes are a Rolex from Underwood Jewelers and an automobile from O’Steen Volkswagen and Volvo. Entry fee is $130 for individuals, $475 for a foursome. There will be an after-golf cookout, awards reception and auction. Sponsorships are also available. Deadline to enter is Sept. 15.
To learn more call Joel Nichols at 301-3101 or Jim Banks at 363-8905.
Eat some shrimp, help the Sulzbacher Center
Cross Creek Restaurants has begun a campaign to raise money for the Sulzbacher Center. All Cross Creek Restaurants are currently promoting their signature “Pocket of Shrimp” sandwich and proceeds from the sale of the sandwiches will benefit the Sulzbacher Center.
The sandwich consists of grilled shrimp, sausage, onions, peppers and mushrooms stuffed in a pita pocket and topped with pepper jack cheese, tomato and spicy mayonnaise. The sandwich comes with a side of fries and pickle and will be sold for $6.99 with $1 going to the Sulzbacher Center.
The Sulzbacher Center provides the opportunity for homeless men, women and children to achieve a better life. The center’s comprehensive services include street outreach, daily meals, safe shelter, case management support, job placement assistance, medical, dental, mental health and vision care as well as scattered-site housing. Every day, the Sulzbacher Center is home to more than three hundred homeless members of our community, many of whom are children. For more information, visit www.sulzbachercenter.org.
Fish for Bubba Oct. 10
Downtown Ecumenical Services Council (DESC) has announced its “Catch Bubba Catfish “Tournament is Oct. 10 beginning at noon at a private lake in the Jacksonville area.
The annual volunteer-run tournament is held to benefit the food and clothing operations of DESC. All proceeds from the tournament are used to purchase food, clothing and provide emergency financial assistance to those in need in the Jacksonville area.
“Given the economic times, we are especially hopeful that this year’s Catch Bubba event is a big one,” said Mary Spuhler, DESC executive director. “We have seen such an increase in need this year. Families from all areas of town and all walks of life are in need, some of whom are coming to DESC for help for the first time in their lives.”
As in years past, the Catch Bubba tournament will have 100 fishing spots, with two anglers fishing from each spot. Angler packages start at $275 and are tax-deductible.
There are also prizes for those who catch the 4th- through 10th-largest catfish of the day.
The host for this year’s tournament is Longleaf Timber Company and the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters IAFF Local 122 has signed on again to cook for the event. DESC also recognizes the Northeast Florida Builders Association for buying “Bubba” and some of hiss smaller friends each year to stock the lake.
Anyone who wants to watch the action but not participate in the fishing is encouraged to join in the fun but they must purchase tickets in advance for $25, which will provide entry to the event and a barbecue ticket. Children under 10 years of age can come to the event and eat free of charge.
Local companies and individuals can show their support for DESC and get some tax-deductible publicity by purchasing a lakefront sign for $250. Lakefront sign sponsors also get recognition in the program and two tickets to the barbecue at the event.
Registration information and forms for those who want to fish, those who want to watch and those who want to sponsor are all available from catchbubba.org or by calling 403-3859.
DESC (www.descjax.org) was founded in 1981 with a mission to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ by providing basic needs for those in emergency situations throughout Northeast Florida through the stewardship of member congregations, businesses, foundations and individuals.
New executives at MS Society
The North Florida Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society has promoted two staff members.
Corrina Steiger has been promoted to executive vice president. Steiger joined the organization seven years ago starting as a marketing coordinator and most recently serving as vice president of Programs and Services. In her new role she will be handling many of the traditional fundraising functions of the chapter as well as working on a number of special projects. Steiger will continue managing the Programs staff and working with the medical community.
Cara O’Reilly has been promoted to director of Special Events. O’Reilly has been with the chapter for more than two years beginning as a coordinator for “MS: Bike,” one of the organization’s signature fundraising events. In her new capacity, she will supervise the event staff as well as work with the Development Department on corporate sponsorship and underwriting, marketing and other projects.
Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide.
For more information, contact the North Florida Chapter at 332-6810 or visit them on the Web at http://fln.nationalmssociety.org.