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.
Fashion show benefits CFF
It was a night of spring fashion, models and local celebrities at the second annual The Players Championship Fashion Cure presented by Brady and Kathy Rackley and PRI Productions. Linda Cunningham’s San Marco boutique set the backdrop for the fashion show and street party, which raised $30,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. More than 200 guests attended the event to honor Rochelle Proctor and Ward Lariscy while viewing spring collections from Linda Cunningham and Karl’s Clothiers.
“I was honored to host this inspiring event once again and I cannot adequately express my gratitude for those who came out to show their support of the foundation and its mission to cure those with cystic fibrosis,” said Cunningham.
Guests at the event viewed spring fashions on the outdoor catwalk, bid in the silent and live auctions and tried their luck at casino-style games presented by PRI Productions. Chefs for a Night provided the evening’s food and Bold City Brewery and Constellation Wines served signature drinks.
Sponsors for The Fashion Cure included The Players Championship, PRI Productions, Brady and Kathy Rackley, Tony and Gloria Ingram, Joan Levin, Dr. Charles L. Prizzia and Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Cherry.
Plaid Party at Sawgrass Friday evening
The Ninth Annual Plaid Party to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be hosted from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. All proceeds will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and last year’s party generated more than $20,000 for the organization.
Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Patrons will enjoy complimentary cocktails and beer, a silent auction and a dance floor with DJs spinning music throughout the evening. There also will be golf-themed games and a raffle with a chance to win a weekend stay at the Sawgrass Marriott.
For more information, visit www.plaidparty.com.
Walk to help critically ill adults
Memories of Love will hold the inaugural Marty 5K walk/run and 1-mile Fun Run to benefit critically ill adults and their immediate families. The event is May 15 at 1st Place Sports in Baymeadows. The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. and the Fun Run will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Philanthropists Mel Gottlieb and Henri Landwirth, co-founders of Memories of Love, began the organization in August 2005 in memory of Mel’s son, Martin Gottlieb, who died at the age of 32, leaving a wife and two young children.
“Our family understands firsthand the pain of losing precious loved ones to an untimely death,” said Gottlieb.
Memories of Love has granted more than 600 families a five-night, six-day respite in Orlando, which includes three-day passes for the wish recipient and their children through age 16 to Disney World, a one-day pass to Sea World and a two-day pass to Universal Studios. Also included are hotel accommodations, discount meal vouchers for select restaurants, and $200 to help defray the costs of food, gas, parking and other expenses.
Entry fees for the Marty 5K are $20 until Saturday, $25 Sunday through May 14 and $30 the day of the race. Children under 13 and adults over 65 may register at any time for $15. The Fun Run fee is $12.
For more information, visit www.1stplacesports.com.
Barbecue contest for daniel kids
Grill masters will be battling to see who will be crowned the best in the city in the Second Annual Jacksonville Backyard BBQ Championships, all to benefit the children at daniel, Florida’s oldest child-service agency.
Amateur chefs will compete in three categories: chicken, pork and ribs. A winner will be named in each category and an overall winner will be crowned Backyard BBQ king or queen of Jacksonville.
Certified BBQ judges will be joined by celebrity judges, including Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager Gene Smith, tight end Ernest Wilford, guard Uche Nwaneri, Jacksonville University legend Artis Gilmore, JU basketball coach Cliff Warren, JU football coach Kerwin Bell and New Orleans Saints defensive end Paul Spicer.
The competition will be from noon to 6 p.m. May 15 at the Firefighter Tower at 1-10 and Stockton Street. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.jaxBBQchampionships.com.