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.
BJ’s Wholesale Club partners with Foundation Academy
BJ’s Wholesale Club celebrated its $500,000 contribution to the “Step Up For Students” scholarship program, an initiative of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, with more than 100 students at the scholarship-recipient Foundation Academy on Nov. 18. The donation will provide more than 120 scholarships to economically disadvantaged students.
BJ’s celebrated its contribution by hosting a “Choose to Give” food drive at the Foundation School to honor the Thanksgiving spirit of tradition and sharing.
During the “Choose to Give” event, Second Harvest North Florida was the recipient of more than 500 cans of nonperishable food items, which were collected by students during a monthlong food drive. BJ’s matched the generosity of the students by providing $1,000 worth of food toward the drive, for a total of about 2,000 pounds.
“It is humbling to accept these donations on behalf of thousands of hungry families in the community who will now have a Thanksgiving dinner,” said Thomas Mantz, executive director of Second Harvest North Florida. “My thanks are most certainly echoed by those who will get to enjoy the fruits of your generosity this holiday season.”
Since BJ’s opened its first club 26 years ago, it has taken pride in being a good corporate citizen through various community initiatives, including its support of “Step Up For Students.”
“BJ’s Wholesale Club is committed to fighting hunger and providing food to local children and families that go hungry each day here in North Florida,” said Archie Hogue, regional vice president for BJ’s Wholesale Club.
“We also have a long history of supporting educational efforts and are honored to be a part of a program that is changing the lives of so many children in Florida,” said Hogue.
BJ’s Wholesale Club became a corporate partner to “Step Up For Students” in 2009 and has since contributed $1 million to fund more than 240 scholarships for economically disadvantaged students.
Currently, nearly 3,200 low-income students in Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties are attending the school of their parents’ choice through “Step Up For Students” scholarships. Eighty-six students at Foundation Academy are also benefitting from the program.
Fundraiser nets $56,000
On Nov. 17 at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel, more than 200 guests sampled signature dishes from First Coast chefs and raised $56,000 to benefit the March of Dimes.
Guests heard personal accounts of the impact the March of Dimes has had on two Jacksonville families. The Sturgill family experienced a stillbirth before celebrating two healthy children and the McAndrew family’s triplets were born nine weeks early.
“Thanks to the generous support of First Coast businesses who provided wonderful items for the silent and live auction and the outstanding leadership of our volunteer committee, the event was outstanding,” said 2010 Signature Chefs Auction Executive Chair Paul Eckert. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and everyone who donated to this year’s Signature Chefs Auction.”
Wine dinner for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will host a champagne reception and private wine dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at JJ’s Liberty Bistro in Ponte Vedra Beach. Guests are invited to an evening of gourmet food and wine in support of cystic fibrosis research and programs.
“This event is a must for anyone who is a true wine lover,” said J.J. Vigoureux, owner of JJ’s Liberty Bistro. “Guests will be served a delicious five-course meal and the finest French wine from the Bordeaux region of France. We are excited to provide this fine-dining experience in support of finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.”
The evening will begin with a champagne reception followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. The chefs at JJ’s Liberty Bistro will prepare dinner with wine pairings from guest speaker Gonzague Lurton, CEO of the Lucien Lurton & Fils Estate, the largest family owned, independent estate and chateau in the Bordeaux region of France.
A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s event will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Seating is limited to 60 guests and tickets are $200 per person.
For more information about the JJ’s Liberty Bistro wine dinner, contact Dana Troeger at 733-3560 or e-mail [email protected]. More information on JJ’s Liberty Bistro is available at www.jjbistro.com or by calling 273-7980.
Shoes and socks for the homeless
On Saturday morning, Nov. 20, Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute physicians and staff, in partnership with the Sulzbacher Center and Soles4Souls, participated in the national “Our Hearts to Your Soles” effort.
More than 150 homeless men and women received free foot screenings and footwear. Red Wing Shoes and Dignity U Wear donated shoes and socks for the event. Volunteers from Hanger’s Prosthetics, Boger’s Shoes and First Coast Orthotics & Prosthetics fitted the new shoes on the clients. This is the third year that JOI and the Sulzbacher Center joined 40 other cities across the country to help provide foot care for the homeless.
“It is a privilege and honor to participate in this Project,” said Hiram A. Carrasquillo, M.D., JOI medical director of the project.
“We are grateful for the amazing physicians and volunteers from JOI who, in partnership with Soles4Souls and Dignity U Wear, provide this valuable service to our clients,” said Cindy Funkhouser, chief program officer at the Sulzbacher Center.