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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 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.
Dillard’s donates to Ronald McDonald House
Dillard’s has been supporting Ronald McDonald House programs in all of its markets for 15 years with holiday fundraisers, volunteer efforts and special events, including the July 15 ribbon-cutting for the Kiehl’s store in the St. Johns Town Center Dillard’s.
Board members and staff of the Jacksonville Ronald McDonald House were on hand for the ribbon-cutting and $1,000 check presentation to celebrate the occasion.
Dillard’s has contributed more than $85,000 to the Jacksonville program since 1996 through its holiday promotion with a record contribution from the 2009 sale of its Southern Living Christmas Cookbook of more than $14,000.
Community Foundation supports JALA
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid received a grant from The Community Foundation in Jacksonville. JALA requested the grant to assist with the costs of operating Project House-Hold, a satellite office of JALA dedicated to foreclosure defense. The Community Foundation in Jacksonville is contributing $10,000 to the effort. The grant, combined with $112,500 in City funding and the donation of office space by the United Way, has allowed JALA to continue helping distressed homeowners.
“The Community Foundation in Jacksonville along with the City have made it possible for us to provide legal support for a process that homeowners would be hard-pressed to navigate alone,” said Michael Figgins, executive director of JALA. “We have been able to help hundreds of homeowners since this effort began and we look forward to helping hundreds more.”
Project House-Hold opened in October 2008. JALA was forced to close the office in February because of a lack of funding, but City Council member Glorious Johnson helped to locate City money to allow the center to reopen in May.
Project House-Hold is dedicated to foreclosure defense in zip codes 32209, 32208, 32218, 32206 and 32244. Since opening, attorneys at the office have fielded more than 1,000 phone calls, have helped hundreds of homeowners and have litigated dozens of cases. Ninety-seven percent of those who sought assistance received some form of formal service, either legal representation, legal advice, foreclosure counseling or resource linking. They have also helped clients from becoming victims of scams.
Project House-Hold operates at the Ribault Family Resource Center at 3701 Winton Drive. The offices are open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Clients are seen by appointment only except in the case of an emergency. For an appointment, call 390-4019.
Arts organization partners with University Club
Cathedral Arts Project will host “Cocktails for A Cause” 4:30-7:30 p.m. July 28 at the University Club.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Cathedral Arts’ work in the Jacksonville community and network with board members, staff and other professionals. There will be drink specials and hors d’oeuvres. The event will also feature a silent auction. All drink tips will be donated in support of Cathedral Arts.
“Cocktails for A Cause” is sponsored by the Young Executive Society of Jacksonville.
More than 1,100 students were enrolled in Cathedral Arts’ after school classes the past school year. The program’s mission is to enrich the quality of life in Northeast Florida through the creative spirit of young people.
Cathedral Arts is the largest provider of free, ongoing and standards-based instruction in the visual and performing arts for public school students in Duval County.
For further information, contact Melanie Messer, director of community relations, at 281-5599, ext. 18.
Bikers raise $2,000 for hospice
The Fifth Annual Ride for Community Hospice of Northeast Florida raised $2,000 for end-of-life care and featured 30 riders. Sponsored by Magna’s - A Full Body Salon in Fernandina Beach, the annual Memorial Day weekend motorcycle ride is organized by Magna’s owners, Tom Hughes and Stacye Lusk, and supported by individuals and companies, including Amelia Island Plantation, Island Falls Golf, Residence Inn, Hampton Inn and Suites, Happy Tomato, the Marina and Columbia restaurants, Gauzeway and Go Fish clothiers, BooksPlus, Winn-Dixie, Publix, and Christmas on the River.
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 about 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.
Bank of America building leaders
Empowered with the knowledge that changing the world starts at home, 230 civic-minded high school juniors and seniors, including five from Jacksonville, have been selected as 2010 Bank of America Student Leaders for their leadership and passion for community service. As part of their award, the selected high school juniors and seniors are in Washington, D.C., this week for the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Student Leadership Summit.
The summit aims to inspire students, who are already answering the nation’s call to service, to continue serving their communities and start a lifetime of positive change.
In addition to attending the summit, Student Leaders participate in eight-week nonprofit internships, paid for by Bank of America, at organizations in their local communities. Students gain hands-on experience and learn about nonprofit management and leadership while the nonprofit organizations benefit from the additional resources and support.