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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.
Blue Foundation awards 11 organizations
The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF), has presented grants to 11 Florida nonprofits, including one local agency, that improve the health of in-need Floridians across the state. The grants are part of The Blue Foundation’s biannual IMPACT Health Care (Improving Access to Health Care) grants program.
Recipients, grant totals and program areas funded are:
• Barnabas Center, $40,797 for dental equipment and increased access to a dental clinic in Nassau County.
• Bridgeway Center, $77,569 for primary medical care for people involved with Bridgeway Center’s mental health program in Okaloosa County.
• Caridad Center, $75,000 for implementation of electronic health record enhancement equipment for uninsured of Palm Beach County.
• Center for Health Equity, $66,000 for medical screenings and education for preconceptual African American woman living in Gadsden County.
• Dade County Dental Research Clinic “Community Smiles,” $100,000 for laboratory and dental supplies, educational materials and staff for a dental clinic serving in-need residents of Miami-Dade County.
• Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco, $30,000 for continued free medical and dental care for uninsured and under served residents of Pasco County.
• Haitian American Association Against Cancer, $50,000 for breast and cervical cancer education and screenings for Haitian women living in Miami-Dade County.
• Lakeland Volunteers In Medicine, $100,000 for comprehensive dental care for in-need residents of Polk County.
• Mission House, $48,000 for continued medical care for homeless people residing in Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches.
• Shepherd’s Hope, $100,000 to hire a care coordinator to organize a network of volunteers to provide specialty medical care for uninsured residents of Seminole County.
• Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation, $75,305 for a portable ultrasound unit and partial physician compensation to improve prenatal care among rural areas of Gadsden, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties.
“With unemployment rates in Florida more than 11 percent, the futures of many Floridians are uncertain,” said Susan Towler, vice president of The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of these organizations, the people of Florida have access to health care. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is truly proud to be a partner.”
The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is a separate, philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida and its parent are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information on The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida visit www.bluefoundationfl.com.
Student art on display Sunday
Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) presents its annual Visual Arts Showcase, an exhibition of CAP student artwork from the 2009-10 school year, Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at St. John’s Cathedral’s Taliaferro Hall at 256 E. Church St. Admission is free.
The theme of this year’s Showcase is “Building Confidence through Creativity.” In keeping with Mayor John Peyton’s Early Literacy Initiative, each of CAP’s teaching artists selected a piece of literature that stirred their students’ imaginations and inspired their artwork.
Many of the students’ works have been on display at Jacksonville International Airport and the Main Library downtown. The works span a variety of media including classically-inspired paintings, sculptures and cloth masks.
More than 1,000 students at Title I schools are enrolled in Cathedral Arts’ after school programs this school year. The program’s mission is to enrich the quality of life in Northeast Florida through unleashing the creative spirit of young people. By providing instruction in the visual and performing arts, the organization empowers under served school-aged children to succeed in all areas of their lives.
CAP has grown to become the largest provider of free, ongoing and standards-based instruction in the visual and performing arts for under served students in Duval County’s public schools. Cathedral Arts is funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, The City of Jacksonville, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Presenting sponsors for the Visual Arts Showcase are Publix Super Markets Charities and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.
For more information contact Melanie Messer at 281-5599, ext. 18 or visit www.capkids.org.
Two philanthropists honored
Jacksonville civic leaders and volunteers, Mildred Thompson and Delores Barr Weaver, were recognized for being “Pioneers” of PACE Center for Girls as part of the agency’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. Thompson received her recognition posthumously, and her daughter Mattie Fraser accepted the award.
Significant individuals from throughout Florida received the Pioneer Award for their instrumental role in the development of PACE as a statewide entity and its 25 year history of services to girls in Florida. Thompson and Weaver received the recognitions because of their major roles in the development of the Thompson-Weaver campus in Jacksonville and their overall support for PACE Center for Girls.
Since its inception in 1985, PACE Center for Girls, Inc. has grown from one center in Jacksonville to 17 Centers throughout Florida and impacted more than 23,000 girls and young women. In celebrating its 25th anniversary, PACE is honoring the rich heritage of its past and planning for its future.
Thompson volunteered with PACE for 17 years during which time she contributed more than $340,000 and was instrumental in the capital campaign that resulted in the creation of the Thompson-Weaver Center. She also led numerous fundraising activities such as the Dandee Golf Tournament and the Annual Bike Show.
Weaver was responsible for raising more than $1.5 million for PACE through her personal contributions, the Weaver Family Foundation, and the Jaguars Foundation. The support she garnered helped with the capital campaign and provided funding that led to the creation of programs such as Time to Be A Girl, Healthy Futures, and the Straight Talk Health Clinic.
“Both Mildred and Delores have been cornerstones of the community as well as PACE,” said Mary Marx, PACE Center for Girls interim president and CEO. “It is fitting that the Jacksonville Center is named after these community pioneers. Their dedication to the girls embodies the spirit of this award.”
PACE Center for Girls, Inc. is a Florida-based, 501(c)3 nonresidential prevention program for at-risk girls and young women. Recognized as national model for keeping girls out of the juvenile justice system and improving school success, employment and self sufficiency amongst girls, PACE’s mission is to provide girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.
Roy’s Restaurant to host fundraiser
Contemporary Hawaiian cuisine, fine wines and live entertainment will set the stage for “A Night in the Village” hosted by Roy’s restaurant in Jacksonville Beach to benefit the Monique Burr Foundation for Children. This year’s event is April 29. If last year’s party is any indication, the fundraiser will draw the city’s celebrities, business executives and young professionals.
“This fundraiser is the ultimate good time to benefit a great cause,” said Lynn Layton, executive director of the foundation whose mission is to provide hope in the lives of children by providing child abuse prevention education. “Similar to last year, we will have local shops participating, a fun fashion show and entertainment that will ‘wow’ everyone. And to top it off, all money raised at the event will benefit children throughout the First Coast and Florida.”
The annual celebration and fundraiser will inspire guests with Hawaiian fusion culinary dishes from founder and chef Roy Yamaguchi and additional celebrity chefs. Fine wines and tropical drinks will flow while guests enjoy live entertainment throughout the evening including hula dancing, fire dancing, music and exclusive shopping opportunities at select boutiques in Third Street Village.
Tickets are $75 per person and will go on sale March 1. More information about the event and ticket information is available online at www.moniqueburrfoundation.org or by calling Layton at 642-0210. More information is also available on Facebook.com by searching for the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.