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 believe 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.
Books and gifts for students
Students from 12 Duval County elementary schools discovered a surprise after the bell rang the morning of Dec. 3. Through HandsOn Jacksonville’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” literacy program, more than 6,000 Jacksonville K-5 students received back sacks filled with new books and toys.
At each of the 12 selected schools, 75 percent or more of the students are on free or reduced-price meal plans. HandsOn Jacksonville promotes the importance of literacy and giving to children who may not otherwise receive books or toys this holiday season.
Beginning in October, volunteers sorted, wrapped and packaged 28,000 books and 28,000 toys for the children.
Bikers help Dreams Come True
Nearly 200 riders took to the road Nov. 14 for the Adamec Harley-Davidson 2nd Annual Ride for Dreams sponsored by Allied Veterans of the World.
The ride, which was the original Seven Bridges Ride for nine years, raised more than $5,000 to sponsor the dream of Sarah, a 14-year-old battling cancer. She will travel to New York in December with her family for her dream.
Since 1999, Dreams Come True has been the benefiting charity of what was once known as the Seven Bridges Ride. More than 30 dreams have been sponsored through the ride.
This is the second year that Dreams Come True and Adamec Harley-Davidson have partnered for the motorcycle ride.
Founded in 1984, Dreams Come True has fulfilled the dreams of nearly 2,700 children in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
More information about Dreams Come True can be found at www.dreamscometrue.org or by calling 296-3030.
JSO hosts holiday party for kids
On Dec. 1, the Children’s Home Society of Florida began the season with the 20th Annual Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Christmas Party.
“The children and families served by our organization, along with our staff, look forward to this annual event,” said CHS Executive Director Kymberly Cook. “It’s a great way to kick off the holidays.”
JSO provided about 200 Children’s Home Society foster children, foster parents, volunteers and staff members with food and live entertainment, including Christmas karaoke by Wayne “D.J. Doc” Watson.
“We are excited to mark this momentous occasion with a celebration that benefits this great organization,” said JSO Corrections Chief Donald Redmond. “Our officers enjoy the opportunity to provide Christmas to some children who normally would not have one.”
In addition to hosting the holiday kickoff celebration, JSO’s Corrections Department also will provide Christmas gifts to 100 children through CHS’ holiday gift drive.
For information on how to organize a gift drive, contact Myra Simmons at 493-7738 or visit www.chsfl.org/bucknerholidays.
Daniel looking for holiday wish granters
Daniel is asking for Jacksonville residents to help grant holiday wishes for the more than 1,000 abused, abandoned and neglected children and families it serves.
There are several ways people can make the holidays bright for the children:
• Adopt a Daniel Kid. Daniel will provide a list of popular toys this season by age and gender. Purchase items that will be given to a Daniel child.
• Adopt a Family. Daniel will provide a list of wishes from a family. Purchase items that will be given to the family.
• Angel Tree. Host an Angel Tree at your business, church or community organization office to allow others to adopt a Daniel child.
• Hold a toy drive at your business, church or community organization.
• Collect nonperishable food items to provide a foster care family in need with a holiday meal.
Those interested in helping should contact Nancy Dohn at 296-1055, ext. 1026, or e-mail [email protected]
Festival of Lights 5k
It is time once again to lace up the jingle bells on your running shoes and prepare for the 14th Annual Festival of Lights 5k and 1-mile Family Fun Run sponsored by Daily Billboards.
The Children’s Miracle Network event will take place at the Baptist Outpatient Center in San Marco Saturday, beginning with the Fun Run at 5:30 p.m. followed by the 5k at 6 p.m.
The event allows families to participate in a healthy holiday activity while having fun with the event’s signature jingle bells on their feet.
Once completed, participants and families can take part in festivities, including a Kids Zone with bounce houses, arts and crafts, music and a visit from Santa Claus. Firehouse Subs and Clif Bar & Co. have donated food for all of the runners.
The event will benefit Shands Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital, both of which are Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
Register by visiting an area 1st Place Sports store or online at www.1stplacesports.com. Registration is $25 through Friday and $30 on race day. Registration for the Fun Run is $12 any time.
And more
• Through the “You Buy, We Give” campaign, a fundraising initiative created by Connect Integrated Marketing, Army Navy Outdoors and Wigwam Socks, nearly 400 new pairs of socks were donated to needy men and women at the annual Salvation Army Thanksgiving meal. To date, more then 700 pairs of socks have been donated to local downtown shelters.
• On Dec. 3 at Men’s Wearhouse at St. Johns Town Center, Dignity U Wear and Haven Hospice hosted their second Suits for Soldiers event to provide new business suits for veterans participating in the Wounded Warriors Project. During the event, recipients were fitted with a new suit and accessories so that they will be prepared to enter the civilian workforce.
• The attorneys and staff of Taylor, Day, Currie, Boyd & Johnson set out to make a bountiful Thanksgiving holiday for some members of the community by initiating its inaugural Can Drive. In all, they collected 1,100 food items that were donated to Second Harvest Food Bank for distribution to needy families. In addition, each family was given a $50 Publix gift card so they could get additional items.
Benefit for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
On Dec. 18, Pink Ivy Parties & Presents will host a holiday party at Edgewood Bakery’s banquet hall to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The party will offer cookies and drinks from the bakery, holiday crafts and a photo with Santa for the children. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be given to the society to aid in its efforts in the community.
The party will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1012 Edgewood Ave. S. Tickets are $10 for children and adults who bring their children are admitted free. The public is invited.
Pink Ivy Parties is an event-planning company serving the Jacksonville area.
Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.pinkivyparties.com. Call Sharice McCall at 1-877-568-7465 for more information.