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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.
Dinner and auction at Matthew’s Restaurant
An evening of food, wine and fun benefiting the Children’s Home Society of Florida will be 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 2 at Matthew’s Restaurant.
Guests can sample creations from Chef Matthew Medure and bid on silent auction packages, including an Amelia Island getaway, a skybox for a Jaguars game and a session with a celebrity photographer and make-up artist duo.
Because of space limitations, call early to make reservations. Registration is $150 per person. For reservations or more information, call CHS contact Nanette Vallejos at 493-7739 or visit www.chsfl.org/buckner.
Chartered in Jacksonville in 1902, Children’s Home Society of Florida is dedicated to embracing children and inspiring lives. Every day, CHS works to restore and strengthen families through its programs and services, such as adoption, foster care and child abuse prevention programs.
Stein Mart supports Dignity U Wear
Dignity U Wear, a national nonprofit that distributes apparel it receives from manufacturers, distributors and retailers to people in need through a network of nonprofit social services agencies, will again receive funds generated by the “Help Us Help Others” promotional event.
The event is planned for all 267 Stein Mart stores throughout the country, said Robert S. Bryan Jr., executive director of Dignity U Wear.
From April 23 through April 25, Stein Mart shoppers making a donation of $5 or more to Dignity U Wear will receive 10 percent off their entire purchase. Shoppers will also be able to donate $5 or more to Dignity U Wear in advance of “Help Us Help Others” through www.dignityuwear.com or www.steinmart.com and will receive three 10-percent-off coupons for donating in advance. That will allow shoppers to either shop multiple times with the discount or share the shopping experience with friends.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this upcoming promotion,” said Bryan. “Stein Mart raised more than $205,000 for Dignity U Wear with a similar promotion in January. Since 2003, they have raised approximately $2.7 million on behalf of Dignity U Wear. That reflects a really incredible effort from an incredible and committed partner.”
The funds raised help Dignity U Wear meet the growing demand for new clothing that improves self-esteem, fosters better school performance, helps adults with job placement and helps parents take better care of their families.
Dignity U Wear specializes in receiving, warehousing and distributing free new clothing to people. Since it was founded in 2000, the organization has provided more than 6.6 million pieces, valued at $112 million, to more than 435,000 people. For information, visit www.dignityuwear.org.
Bass tournament benefits hospital
Register now for the 21st Annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament, which benefits patients of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The fishing event will take place in Palatka, known as the “bass fishing capital of the world,” on May 15.
The Wolfson Bass Tournament is the largest single-day bass tournament in the state. Thanks to sponsors and participants, the 2009 tournament contributed $135,000 to benefit children treated at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
The tournament also will offer a chance to win a new, fully rigged 2010 Bullet 21 XD Bass Boat with a 2010 Mercury 225 Pro XS OptiMax Motor (the boat is on display in front of Wolfson Children’s Hospital).
For a $10 donation to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, you will have one of 4,500 available chances to win the boat, which will be given away at the tournament. You do not need to be present to win.
For information, visit www.wolfsonchildrens.org/bass or call Patty Utley at 202-8732 or Linda Starling at 282-3783.
Walk to raise awareness of violence
Hubbard House will host its inaugural Setting the Pace for Peace Domestic Violence Awareness Walk presented by Bank of America May 1 at the Ed Austin Regional Park to benefit victims of domestic violence and their children.
The event features a 5K walk (a shorter option is available) and a family fun zone. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m.
The Setting the Pace for Peace Awareness Walk will give the community the opportunity to raise awareness about domestic violence, remember and honor those who have been affected by it, celebrate those who have survived it and connect those who work to end it. There is no cost to walk and the event is open to the public.
To register for the walk or for more information, visit www.firstgiving.com/hubbardhouse.
All awareness and funds raised will help Hubbard House provide lifesaving services that not only serve the immediate needs of victims of domestic violence and their children, but also help to prevent violence.
Hubbard House is a nationally recognized leader in domestic violence intervention. Founded as the first domestic violence shelter in Florida in 1976, Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center providing programs and services to more than 5,000 women, children and men annually in Duval and Baker counties. While Hubbard House is most known for its emergency shelter, the agency also provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, therapeutic child care, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities. Visit www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.