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. Email 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.
Jacobys honored at ‘Spring for the Arts’
The Cathedral Arts Project raised more than $422,000 at its 7th Annual Spring for the Arts event.
“At a time when there is so much concern about the challenges facing public education, it has been deeply gratifying to see so many on the First Coast step forward to help us educate the whole child,” said the Rev. Kimberly Hyatt, executive director of Cathedral Arts.
Attendance set a record March 11 with more than 600 guests honoring Ponte Vedra residents Monica and Bob Jacoby and supporting Cathedral Arts.
Jim Winston presented Monica and Bob Jacoby with the Guardian of the Arts Award for their efforts to safeguard and advance the arts along the First Coast. Charlie Margiotta, senior vice president of Rayonier, served as the event chair. Charlene Shirk served as emcee for the evening and Brian Sexton was the auctioneer.
A group of Cathedral Arts string students, led by Patrick Smith, entertained guests as they arrived at the Deerwood Country Club.
More than 1,000 underserved students receive free after-school arts instruction through Cathedral Arts at 23 sites across Jacksonville each week. The vision is for every child to have access to a well-rounded, arts-rich education that endows his or her spirit with the imagination, self-confidence and strength of character that inspires great leadership and a will to succeed.
Cathedral Arts is the largest provider of free, ongoing and standards-based instruction in the visual and performing arts for public elementary school students in Duval County.
Cathedral Arts is funded in part by the City of Jacksonville, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information, visit www.capkids.org or call Jeff Smith at 281-5599, ext. 21.
Pollo Tropical donating meals to benefit Facing Futures Foundation
Pollo Tropical is revving up the grill at its St. Johns Town Center location to provide 500 complimentary meals to motorcycle riders participating in the 7th Annual Ride for Smiles April 16 to benefit the Facing Futures Foundation.
Pollo Tropical has teamed with event organizer Adamec Harley-Davidson to offer citrus-marinated boneless chicken breast, a choice of white or yellow rice, plus homemade black beans, Caesar salad, sweet plantains, rolls and salsa.
Riders will depart at 10:30 a.m. from Adamec Harley-Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road.
Immediately following the ride, Pollo Tropical will provide riders a complimentary lunch and T-shirt for their participation.
“We are so excited to be part of this benefit for the Facing Futures Foundation,” said Terry Phillips, senior general manager at the St. Johns Town Center Pollo Tropical and motorbike enthusiast.
Tickets to this year’s Ride for Smiles can be purchased online at www.FacingFutures.org or at Adamec Harley-Davidson. Participants can also register on event day from 8:30-10 a.m.
The Facing Futures Foundation provides free medical care to children suffering from facial abnormalities caused from birth defects or trauma-related injuries.
ASPCA issues challenge
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has announced that 95 shelters spanning the nation from Hawaii to the U.S. Virgin Islands have been selected to compete in the qualifying heat of the 2011 ASPCA $100,000 Challenge.
The list includes the City of Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services Department.
The contenders ask their supporters to vote online through April 15. The 50 shelters with the most votes will compete for more than $300,000 in prize grants, including a grand prize of $100,000.
“The idea behind the qualifying heat is to inspire communities to support their local shelters,” said Bert Troughton, vice president of community outreach for the ASPCA.
“Casting a vote for your local shelter is a way of saying, ‘We care about the animals in our community and want to help our local shelter save animals.’
“When people work together with their local shelters, more animals are saved, which has a positive impact on the entire community. Our contest provides added incentive because the public can both help save animals in their community and bring important grant dollars to their local organization,” he said.
To vote, visit www.votetosavelives.org.
Dinner and silent auction to benefit First Coast No More Homeless Pets
The 2nd Annual Espeto Brazilian Dinner and Silent Auction is scheduled 6-9:30 p.m. Thursday to benefit First Coast No More Homeless Pets.
The event will offer live music, Brazilian food, free beer from Bold City Brewery, free wine and more.
The event will be at the Espeto Brazilian Steak House at 4000 St. Johns Ave. Tickets are available online at www.fcnmhp.org/events or by calling 520-7902.
The event proceeds will be used to help end pet overpopulation and to fund spay/neuter programs.