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.
Dreams Come True tournament raises $97,000
The Ninth Annual Sam Kouvaris Dreams Come True Golf Tournament presented by Pilot Travel Centers raised $97,000 to support the programs and services of Dreams Come True. The event has raised nearly $700,000 over the past nine years.
“We appreciate the generous sponsors, players and volunteers who made this event a success,” said Interim Executive Director Lauren Weedon Hopkins. “This is our largest fundraiser and it enables us to fulfill the dreams of our community’s brave children who are battling life-threatening illnesses.”
The tournament was presented by Pilot Travel Centers, one of the nation’s largest retail operators of travel centers, catering to professional drivers and traveling motorists in 41 states with more than 300 retail interstate properties. The company is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., and employs 13,000 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.pilottravelcenters.com.
The tournament was also sponsored by Swimcraft Pools LLC, Nader’s Pest Raiders, The Weedon Family, The Jacksonville Business Journal, Ch. 4, Lee Printing, Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
Justice Coalition schedules events
The Justice Coalition is holding fundraisers this month and in September.
At 7:30 a.m. Friday, “Shoot For Justice” will take place at WW Sporting Clays. Join Sheriff John Rutherford and other Justice Coalition supporters to raise funds for innocent victims of violent crime. Four-person teams are $650 (individual spots are $175), which includes lunch catered by Cross Creek Steakhouse and a commemorative golf towel and hat.
The public is encouraged to attend to enjoy the scenery, participate in the live auction by American Fundraising Auctions, purchase a barbecue lunch ($8 with beverage included) and stroll through the vendor promenade. Call 783-6312 for details.
The “Ride For Justice” is planned from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11 from the River City Marketplace to Old Plank Road Baptist Church. This year, 500 motorcycle riders are expected and the theme is “Honoring America’s Heroes.” Tickets can be bought through the website, www.justicecoalition.org, or by calling 783-6312.
Until Aug. 1, groups with eight or more motorcycles will receive limited-time pricing of $20 per rider and $10 per passenger. After Aug. 1 the normal rate of $25 per rider and $10 per passenger applies.
Community supports Second Harvest
This year’s National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive produced more than 351,000 pounds of much-needed nonperishable food resources for people in need on the First Coast.
Residents were asked to leave donations beside their mailboxes on May 8 and postal carriers collected them as part of their routes. The donations were delivered to Second Harvest North Florida, which will distribute the food to its network of more than 500 member agencies that includes food pantries, senior citizen centers, soup kitchens and other nonprofit organizations serving people in need.
The 2010 total is an increase of more than 15,000 pounds from 2009 and represents the equivalent of nearly 262,000 meals that will be provided.
“Our community responded in a big way, as it always does,” said Second Harvest Executive Director Thomas Mantz. “Hunger is a real issue and it affects children, seniors, the unemployed, people that we know and see each day who go to work and just can’t make ends meet. Stamp Out Hunger is a way that anyone and everyone can contribute to caring for their neighbor in need. We at Second Harvest applaud the community’s generosity and promise that these donations will be put to use quickly to feed hungry families.”
In 2009, Second Harvest North Florida distributed more than 10.3 million pounds among 18 North Florida counties through its network of agencies. It is projected to distribute more than 12.5 million pounds in 2010, which translates to more than 9.2 million meals.
Second Harvest has partnered locally with NALC Branch 53 throughout the history of the “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive, which celebrates its 18th year in 2010. Since 2007, the event has increased from slightly more than 150,000 pounds collected in the Jacksonville area. Nationally, more than a billion pounds of food have now been collected and distributed in the event’s history.
“As letter carriers deliver in the neighborhoods throughout the area, they see how the economy has adversely affected some of the customers they deliver to,” said Bob Henning, president of NALC Branch 53 in Jacksonville. “They also see how generous people can be when times are tough and how their customers that are in need benefit from this one-day nationwide drive. We thank everyone who donated to make this year the best ever to help those in need.”
Volunteers are needed to help sort food at the Second Harvest warehouse. For more information about volunteering, call Leah Bezares at 353-3663 or e-mail [email protected].
BBQ benefits daniel
The Second Annual Jacksonville Backyard BBQ Championship not only served 800 attendees, but also raised nearly $30,000 for daniel’s Glyn Cook Memorial Scholarship, helping to fulfill the educational goals of daniel kids.
Net proceeds from the May 15 event fund daniel’s Glyn Cook Memorial Scholarship. Named after the late Glyn Cook, a longtime trustee of daniel, the scholarship provides financial assistance to daniel kids seeking to further their education at an accredited university, college or trade school.
“For the second year in a row, we had great weather, wonderful attendance and some seriously good barbecue,” said Cole Pepper, event co-creator and daniel board member. “I love the fact that we were able to raise much-needed money to help kids further their education simply by cooking and sharing great food.”
Also, Womenade’s members and volunteers were serving patrons, washing dishes and cleaning tables at Brucci’s Pizza on May 17 to raise funds for daniel.
“It was such a fun way for our members to bond and raise money for daniel,” said Judy Hicks, founder of Womenade. “Many of us had never served before, and we have a new appreciation for how hard servers work. It was a great night and we are so thankful that Brucci’s Pizza provided us with this opportunity.”
Womenade was able to donate its $783 in tips to daniel.
“Our team is phenomenal, and we are overjoyed that we can present such a wonderful donation to daniel this month,” said Hicks.
Womenade, founded in 2002 by Hicks, meets every two months for networking. Members and guests bring donations to benefit daniel and Chef Cheryl of Heirlooms Chef Designed Meals is the official caterer of the events.
Law firms support March of Dimes
On April 24, the March of Dimes held the annual March for Babies Walk on the Riverwalk. There were 5,000 First Coast residents who joined in the march for healthy babies, awareness of premature birth and medical research.
For the first time, with the help of attorney Heather Nason of McGuireWoods, the March of Dimes pulled together a “2010 Law Firm Challenge.” In February, an e-vite was sent to several firms inviting them to join in the challenge. The law firms participating in this year’s challenge were Akerman Senterfitt and McGuireWoods.
Heather Nason headed the McGuireWoods team, which raised money online, through donations and through Blue Jeans for Babies.
Adina Pollan headed the Akerman Senterfitt team, which also raised money online, through donations and through Blue Jeans for Babies.
Both firms showed their support the day of the walk by bringing co-workers, family and friends. McGuireWoods won the law firm challenge. Together, the two teams raised more than $3,000.
March for Babies raised more than $580,000 for the 2010 campaign.