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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.
Anheuser-Busch brewery increases United Way donation
United Way of Northeast Florida has received a $50,859 check from the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, representing an increase of about 3 percent in support from the previous year. Along with employee donations of $67,849.82 that were collected during a drive and $5,592 from a brewery-sponsored golf tournament, contributions from the last year total more than $124,000.
“Anheuser-Busch employees care deeply about Jacksonville, and have always given generously to their friends and neighbors through the United Way,” said Steve Foppe, general manager of the Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville brewery.
“As our community and nation continue to struggle in a sluggish economy, now more than ever our neighbors are in need of the vital services United Way provides,” said Foppe.
The donations will be used to support a number of local health and human services programs through nonprofit agencies.
Alecia Givens, campaign division manager for the United Way of Northeast Florida, accepted the donation on behalf of United Way. Greg Cantrell, an engineer at the brewery who was chairman of the local drive for the brewery, presented the contribution on behalf of the Jacksonville brewery’s employees and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation. He was joined by Joyce Lay and Tim Saggau, who were part of the brewery leadership team for the local campaign.
Anheuser-Busch and its charitable foundation have supported United Way of Northeast Florida for several decades. The Anheuser-Busch Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anheuser-Busch, donating funds to hundreds of charities each year in communities across the country.
United Way of Northeast Florida seeks to improve people’s lives by creating lasting changes in conditions that affect its communi-ties.
Jacksonville Children’s Commission announces summer camps
Kicking off the summer season, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission has launched its 2010 Summer Camp program. Funded in part by The Jacksonville Journey anti-crime initiative, this year’s program will serve a total of 5,725 children in full-day, six-week, low-cost summer camps.
Camps begin in June. A complete list of 2010 Summer Camps, dates and contact information is available at www.jaxkids.net by clicking on “Summer Programs” or calling 630-3647 or checking any branch of the Jacksonville Public Library.
“Out of school times, like the summer months, pose both great risks and opportunities for our children,” said Mayor John Peyton.
“Children who are engaged in high-quality, fun, educational activities like camps during the summer months are less likely to get in trouble, or become involved or be victims of criminal activity. This is just one piece of the puzzle in building a strong foundation for a safer community,” said Peyton.
The camps will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Camp programs are open to Duval County children in kindergarten through 15 years old.
Registration for the camps has started and will be held at the individual camp sites.
Parents/caregivers interested in enrolling their child in camp this summer should contact the camps directly to learn more about availability and how to register their child.
A parent fee is required and will be assessed by all partnering camps to help offset costs not covered by the grant dollars. Parent fees may not exceed $10 per week, but camps may decide the actual amount based on their target population’s needs.
While camps are permitted to charge additional fees for extended day (beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and for some field trip costs, many camps are using the parent fee to cover one or both of these costs.
JCC also announces summer lunch program
The Jacksonville Children’s Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Education will provide free nutritious snacks and lunches to Jacksonville children Monday, June 14, through Friday, Aug. 13, the time most local children are on summer break.
Any Duval County child under 18 can receive a lunch by visiting one of the summer lunch sites across the city. A “Free Lunch Served Here” banner is posted at each site with the meal times indicated. Children do not need to be enrolled at the site (for example, if it is a club or program) to receive a lunch or snack. They just need to show up during meal times.
Each year, more than 12,000 Duval County children may receive nutritious snacks and lunches at no cost to parents or caregivers through the summer lunch program.
Sites are in a geographical area where there is a school with at least 50 percent of its students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program during the school year. Nutritionally balanced meals will be provided to all children regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin.
A complete list of summer lunch sites is available at www.jaxkids.net by clicking on “Summer Programs”. For more information, call the commission at 630-6430.
Bowl Against Breast Cancer
The North Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure plans the Mary Lakes Invitational Bowl Against Breast Cancer June 12-13 at King Pins Bowling Alley at 5310 Lenox Ave.
Jacksonville Jaguars player Reggie Nelson will participate in the event. The event was created to honor the memory of Nelson’s mother, Mary Lakes, who passed away from breast cancer in 2006. Nelson and several other Jaguar players plan to attend the event.
Cost is $40 per bowler. The registration deadline is June 10. All proceeds benefit the North Florida Komen affiliate and helps to provide breast health education and services in North Florida.
For information or registration, visit www.KomenNorthFlorida.org/Bowl.
Lunch for Autism Father Support Group
An Autism Father Support Group free barbecue lunch is scheduled 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 12 at AJ’s On Park Street. The lunch is sponsored by AJ’s and the Jessica Green Foundation.
Dads are invited to meet, eat and watch sports on ESPN.
Space is limited and reservations are required by June 4. To register, call Lou Cabrera at 786-205-5498.
Patrons of the Hearts plans annual Artscapade Party
Patrons of the Hearts will host its sixth annual fundraiser, Artscapade, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Aetna Building Lobby at 841 Prudential Drive.
The event will feature live and silent auctions of artwork donated by local and regional artists, food from local restaurants, live music and more.
The theme will be “In the Heart of Jacksonville” and celebrates those who have supported Patrons of the Hearts. Proceeds from the art auction will be donated in full to Patrons of the Hearts.
Patrons of the Hearts is a nonprofit formed to create an endowment to help underprivileged children with complex congenital heart problems who live in developing countries.
Patrons of the Hearts brings the children to the University of Florida Pediatric Cardiovascular Center and Wolfson Children’s Hospital for treatment.
It is funded by individuals and corporations as well as grants from the First Hand Foundation of Cerner Corporation, GE Healthcare, the Deerwood Rotary Club and other organizations.
For more information, visit www.patronsofthehearts.com or call 202-2881.
Woman’s Club fundraiser
The Woman’s Club of Jacksonville is putting the word out that it plans an “Accessories & More” fundraiser Oct. 27. The event includes lunch, mimosas and shopping. It will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Friday Musicale annex building at 631 Oak St. Cost is $14.
For information, call 355-6202.
Eco Eve event raises $1,000 for Child Guidance Center
Breaking Ground Contracting recently donated Eco Eve, its decorated sea turtle from the Turtle Trails art project, to the historic Springfield community at a fundraising brunch to benefit the Child Guidance Center. The event was at Springfield’s Three Layers A Coffeehouse, where Eco Eve will be on permanent display. The event raised nearly $1,000 for the Child Guidance Center, which was the organization responsible for the Turtle Trails.