from staff
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.
Volunteers work with Community Hospice
A child with a life threatening condition now has a bedroom he can’t wait to play and learn in thanks to the efforts of a local women’s group. Alex Fast is an 11-year-old Community PedsCare patient who copes with complications of a liver transplant on a daily basis. He and his family receive support from Community PedsCare, the pediatric program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in collaboration with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Clinic and the University of Florida. Community PedsCare is a palliative and hospice program for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
On Aug. 27 Alex was treated to a complete bedroom and closet makeover at his home courtesy of Helping Hands of St. Johns County. Helping Hands is comprised of a group of volunteers who participate in philanthropic activities in the St. Johns County community.
The volunteers worked to acquire sponsors to donate items for the room. They started with Alex’s existing colorful rug to redesign the room then added all the other elements, including a skateboard wall hanging, to create a sports motif. The volunteers did all the work — they organized his items in the room and closet and also hung wall decals and pictures. The result: a very happy young man who enjoys his new room.
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.
Junior League filling backpacks
Starting Sept. 19 and continuing each Saturday through Oct. 10, volunteers from the Junior League of Jacksonville, Action News on TV-47 and Family Support Services of North Florida, the lead agency for adoption and foster care in Duval and Nassau counties, will be at the Riverside Arts Market collecting new backpacks and gift cards for local foster children. League members will fill the backpacks with essentials for children entering foster care while the gift cards will be given to teens who are aging out of the system.
“The Junior League has spearheaded this program for the past 10 years and we are incredibly grateful for their steadfast support. This collection drive has touched the lives of thousands of disadvantaged children in our community,” said FSS CEO Jim Adams.
In addition to backpacks and gift cards the Junior League is asking for new books, toiletries and new, small stuffed animals to put in the packs. All items can be dropped off at the Fostering Futures booth at the Riverside Arts Market.
Local businesses can get involved by launching a collection drive at their workplace or donating online at www.juniorleagueofjax.org.
To learn more about Fostering Futures - Project Backpack or how to adopt or foster a local child in need visit fssjax.org.
Nonprofit seeking award nominations
HandsOn Jacksonville is seeking nominations of outstanding individuals or groups of three or more volunteers. On April 22, 2010 HandsOn Jacksonville will recognize and celebrate the area’s most outstanding volunteers with an on-stage production and party at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.
To download an application go to www.handsonjacksonville.org and click on Celebration of Service or call Lynn Weise Mora at 332-6767 ext. 118 to request that a form sent to you by mail. Nominations are due by Oct. 31.
HandsOn Jacksonville inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. HOJ collaborates with local nonprofit agencies to help solve serious problems that face our community today. The organization focuses on three impact areas: restoring schools as the center of communities, preserving the earth and alleviating poverty.