from staff
As our community continues to face a challenging economy, the Daily Record provides this page that each week chronicles 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 believe would be of interest to our readers. E-mail to: [email protected].
We encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Buffett fans support
pediatric hospice
Parrot Heads in Natural Settings Inc., a social and charitable organization in Northeast Florida, contributed $11,200 to Community PedsCare, the pediatric program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
Funds were raised at the annual Parrot Head Open golf tournament at the Slammer & Squire at World Golf Village in June. It was the 13th year for the PHINS tournament to benefit Community PedsCare. Since 2005, the organization has raised $60,000 for the program.
Community PedsCare is a program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in partnership with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Clinic and the University of Florida. Philanthropy funds the majority of the program’s expenses, serving children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and providing support for their families. There are currently 110 children enrolled in the program.
Established in 1979, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida is the first and only community-based, nonprofit hospice provider to serve residents of the First Coast. Each day, through the support of nearly 700 employees and 850 volunteers, the organization helps more than 1,000 patients live better with advanced illness. During its 31-year history, the organization has served more than 62,000 adults and children in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties at home, in long-term care and assisted living facilities, hospitals and at its four inpatient care centers. The Community Hospice Foundation generates philanthropic and community support for patient care services, family needs and community programs, such as Community PedsCare, a nationally recognized pediatric palliative and hospice program. No one is ever denied care because of an inability to pay. To learn more about the support and services of Community Hospice, visit www.communityhospice.com.
Locked up for charity
The Muscular Dystrophy Association has issued arrest warrants for 250 Southside community leaders who will be “Locked-Up” to benefit MDA 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday
The “jailbirds” have been charged with having big hearts and must now do the time that suits the crime. Upon apprehension by MDA officers, bail raisers will be booked and processed and their sentence is to serve time at MDA’s maximum appreciation jail site at Dave & Buster’s. The goal for the event is to raise $110,000.
Funds raised by the “Lock-Up” give MDA, a voluntary health agency, the means to provide direct services, research and professional and public health education to children and adults with neuromuscular diseases in North Florida and South Georgia.
MDA provides assistance in the purchases of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices for its clients and offers several support groups. Individuals can also visit MDA’s clinics in Gainesville at Shands Hospital or in Jacksonville at Nemours Children’s Clinic and Mayo Clinic.
For more information about “Lock-Up” events or MDA, contact Brittany Duke-Anthony at 296-7434 or visit www.mda.org.
Prudential donates backpacks
for students
Prudential Insurance and Prudential Network Realty dropped off more than 700 backpacks to the Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Buckner Division Aug. 13 in the company’s 12th Annual Prudential Backpack Challenge.
The backpacks were distributed to some of the 1,000 children and families served by CHS. The companies have partnered with CHS in the challenge for five years.
The Backpack Challenge is organized by Prudential’s Community Volunteer Council and offers employees a way to make a difference in the lives of children.
Many children who come into foster care are removed from their homes for their own protection and often leave with the clothes on their back. The Backpack Challenge assures that every child in CHS care begins school with all their needs met and are not singled out as different from their classmates.
Chartered in Jacksonville in 1902, CHS is dedicated to embracing children and inspiring lives. The organization works to restore and strengthen families through programs and services such as adoption, foster care and child abuse prevention programs.
For more information about CHS, visit www.chsfl.org/buckner.
Foundation hosts two
fundraisers
Ashley Chesney Titcomb, together with Karen Barnes of KBar Productions, will host Cocktails for Canines, a fundraiser and auction for The Bentley Foundation.
The first event is 10 p.m. Thursday at Walker’s Wine Bar in Riverside. The second event is 7 p.m. Friday at Caribbee Key in Neptune Beach.
Walker’s, part of the King Street entertainment district, has provided selections from its beer, wine and champagne menu for the auction. There will also be art, photography and vintage fashion
items.
Chateau Vintage Hand Picked Clothing will partner with Harrington Design to host a Vintage Fashion Photo Shoot during the event. Chateau Vintage will showcase clothing from the 1940s through the 1990s styled for contemporary wear. Some of the clothing will be available for auction. There will be treats and water for canines on the pet-friendly patio.
The second auction will feature outdoor adventure items donated by Primo and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Auction items include a tent, sleeping bag, limited edition bocci ball set and horseshoes, bar stools, backpacks, beach bags and a corn hole game board. Primo has donated items that include insulated fish backpacks and bags, glassware and clothing.
Primo will also be offering product samples for those 21 years of age and older. Photography, art and gift certificates from local merchants will also be available at the auction.
Free flowers to help
Second Harvest
Residents of Jacksonville have the opportunity to meet each other and develop new friendships through Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 1. Beginning at 7 a.m., LaMee Florist at 5040 St. Augustine Road will give away hundreds of flowers free to anyone who visits the shop, while supplies last.
This year, the florist is partnering with The Second Harvest Food Bank and asks that everyone bring a canned or other nonperishable food item or bags of items for Second Harvest Food Bank. Jackson De Ville will participate noon-1 p.m. to help fill a truck with supplies for the food bank.
For details, call 396-2468.