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.
Billfish tournament raises $122,000
More than $122,000 was raised during the Monique Burr Foundation for Children Inc.’s 22nd Annual El Pescado Billfish Tournament and Fish-N-Chips Marina Casino event at Camachee Cove in St. Augustine.
During the event, a tournament record 194 sailfish were released, resulting in more than $100,000 awarded in prize money. Proceeds from the event contribute to the foundation’s continuing mission to educate Florida’s teachers, students and their parents on safety from all forms of child abuse, bullying and neglect.
“This year’s tournament was a huge success,” said Dennis Rosa, co-director of the El Pescado Billfish Tournament. “Because of the strong participation, we have raised a tournament record of more than $122,000 for the Monique Burr Foundation in support of its mission of preventing child abuse.”
The two-day El Pescado tournament was held at Camachee Cove at the Marlin Club. The Ohana, a 66-foot yacht owned by Ed Burr, founder of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, won 1st Place Overall Team with a total purse of more than $40,000. Floridian, owned by Matthew Cain, took 2nd Place Overall Team, and Grand Slam, a 54-foot yacht owned by Wallis Higginbotham, won 3rd Place Overall Team. After receiving their trophy, first place team Ohana donated its winnings back to the foundation.
In conjunction with the tournament, the foundation hosted the second annual Fish-N-Chips Marina Casino event, which drew about 300 attendees and included casino-style games as well as the “Ladies Tackle Box” featuring shopping opportunities with local artists who support the foundation.
For more information about the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, call 642-0210 or visit www.moniqueburrfoundation.org.
Shoppers support charity
Stein Mart shoppers have proven that, even in a down economy, they are willing to help others less fortunate. The national retail chain ran a promotion Sept. 23-26 benefiting Dignity U Wear. The “Give & Save Charity Days” effort raised more than $550,000.
“We are overwhelmed by the amount of money raised during this promotion,” said Robert S. Bryan Jr., executive director of Dignity U Wear. “Stein Mart is an incredible, supporting partner and their customers have been profoundly generous. These funds will allow us to add to our inventory and implement programs to meet specific new clothing needs for thousands of disadvantaged people and families. There are no words to express how grateful we are.”
During the promotion, shoppers making a donation of $5 to Dignity U Wear received $5 plus 15 percent off their purchase. Since 2003, Stein Mart and its customers have donated more than $3 million to Dignity U Wear.
“We are very pleased with the results of our promotion for Dignity U Wear,” said Jay Stein, Stein Mart’s chair.
“We’re proud of the achievements this partnership has produced for struggling parents and families throughout the country. We would like to thank our generous customers for the great results of this promotion,” he said.
Fundraiser offers seasonal menu
The Augustine Grille at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa will host a “Farm to Table” Dinner Benefit & Silent Auction at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6.
A fundraiser for the Beaches Local Food Network’s Children’s Gardening Program and Slow Food First Coast’s school garden installations, the benefit will be held at the Augustine Grille and will feature a five-course meal prepared by Augustine Grille Executive Chef David Scalise, Chef de Cuisine Brett Smith and Ted Peters of One Ocean, Herman Muller of Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Scotty Schwartz from 29 South Eats, Thomas Tolxdorf from the Ritz-Carlton and David Bearl from the Southeast Institute of Culinary Arts.
The five-course dinner will spotlight seasonal and signature dishes using fresh ingredients from local and regional farmers and artisans. Coastal Wine & Spirits will provide organic wines paired with each course from the Lapostolle winery in Chile. A silent auction will follow the dinner and will showcase locally made and green lifestyle products and items that promote environmental awareness.
“At Augustine Grille and other restaurants at the Sawgrass Marriott, we are committed to using local vendors and farmers whenever possible, and we are honored to host this event for the Beaches Local Food Network and Slow Food First Coast, two vital organizations that make a difference in our community,” said Mark Butcher, director of food and beverage for the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa.
“The next generation is an important link in furthering the cause of growing food in a responsible manner, and the Beaches Local Food Network’s Children’s Gardening Program and Slow Food First Coast’s school garden installations are ways to bring joy and fulfillment while learning to protect the environment and be responsible at the same time,” he said.
The cost for the event is $150 per person and space is limited. For more information about the Farm to Table Dinner Benefit, call the Beaches Local Food Network at 270-0273.
‘65 Roses’ at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club
Sporting a new name and the permanent addition of a women’s tennis tournament, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 11th Annual 65 Roses Golf & Tennis Classic is Nov. 13 at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “Sixty-five roses” is what some children with cystic fibrosis call their disease because the words are much easier for them to pronounce. The rose, appropriately the ancient symbol of love, has become a symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“For 10 straight years the community has amazed us with their generous support of this event. Last year in order to broaden our reach and take advantage of all the venue has to offer, we tested a tennis tournament in association with the golf tournament. We sold it out in four days. We’re excited to announce this year that tennis is now a permanent part of the event, and we have renamed it the 65 Roses Golf & Tennis Classic,” said Claudia Werner, executive director of the Northeast Florida Cystic Fibrosis Foundation office.
“We invite the Jacksonville community to enjoy spectacular golf and tennis, great prizes and the satisfaction of knowing they are ensuring our continued fight against cystic fibrosis.”
One of the “events within the event” is the post-event celebration. While admission to the event is included for golfers and tennis players, spouses and members of the community are also invited to participate. For a $50 donation, guests will enjoy cuisine prepared by Jacksonville Golf & Country Club head chef Michael Ramsey and dance to live music by Seize the Day.
All guests are welcome to participate in live and silent auctions. Two of this year’s prizes are a cameo appearance on stage at the Alhambra Theatre including tickets for 10 people, as well as a day on the TPC Stadium Course with PGA TOUR player Bubba Dickerson. Charlene Shirk will be hosting this year’s auction.
The event will also feature a limited-ticket raffle. Presented by Levy Jewelers of the St. Johns Town Center and sponsored by Northwestern Mutual, one ticket (out of only 200) will award the bearer a pair of his and hers Brietling watches.
This year’s sponsors include W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor Inc., MediaShare Consulting Group Inc., Tennant Russell LLC, The 9th Annual Plaid Party, Clockwork Marketing, Dalton Agency, Wilson Sporting Goods, Solvay Pharmaceuticals and American Airlines.
Sponsorship opportunities are available from $500 to $5,000. Golf foursomes start at $1,600 and include lunch, golfer tee gift bags and entry to the awards reception. Tennis spots are available at $100 per player.
For more information, visit www.cff.org or call the North Florida CFF office at 733-3560.