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.
Lennar Homes partners with Boselli Foundation
Employees from Lennar Homes spent an afternoon putting smiles on children’s faces as they presented school supplies and backpacks to 111 children from the Russell Bill Cook Community Center and Simonds-Johnson Community Center.
The two centers are operated by The Boselli Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support to inner-city children in Jacksonville.
The supplies were collected through a companywide “Back to School Drive” at Lennar. Lennar also presented a check for $10,000 to The Boselli Foundation.
Lennar also provided cases of school supplies, including glue, paper, pencils, crayons and folders, which will be distributed directly to the teachers at various schools.
The check was presented by Lennar employees to Boselli Foundation Executive Director Candace Hodgkins, Angie Boselli, co-founder, and the children to help meet the costs associated with operating the community centers.
“We are so thankful for the support we receive from Lennar,” said Hodgkins.
“It means everything to the children to know people care about them and want them to have a better future,” she said.
The goals of The Boselli Foundation are to provide activities and programs that focus on character-building, academics and community involvement to enhance the lives of youth in Jacksonville.
For more information about The Boselli Foundation, visit www.bosellifoundation.com.
PODS aids Kingfish Tournament
A different school of fish swam with the current when rods hit the water for the 31st annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament July 18-23 at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek.
PODS Jacksonville provided several storage containers for the tournament.
“Although this is the eighth year PODS Jacksonville has donated storage containers to Jacksonville Marine Charities for the Kingfish Tournament, we look forward every year to celebrating with our community and providing storage and logistics behind the scenes,” said Bob Eales, franchise owner.
Jacksonville Marine Charities Inc., the 501c3 organization behind the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, uses proceeds to support marine science research, preservation and education.
“The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament and Festival remains Jacksonville Marine Charities’ greatest gift to the First Coast community with an economic impact of nearly $12 million,” said Bob Gipson, the tournament’s executive director.
“Having PODS containers on-site for our staff to access equipment and supplies to run the festival and event is such a great help,” he said.
‘Musicians Against Homelessness’
The City Rescue Mission has joined with Client Focused Media, Pro Music and BUZZ Magazine to offer an opportunity to up-and-coming musicians in an effort to fight homelessness and create awareness for the community.
The campaign is called “Musicians Against Homelessness” and is a way for musicians and bands to write accompanying music to pre-written lyrics on the group’s website.
Between now and Aug. 25, contestants can visit www.MusiciansAgainstHomelessness.com and choose one or all of the six lyrics written.
When they have made their selection, they will write accompanying music to the lyrics and record the piece before submission.
After the song has been recorded, it will be submitted to Client Focused Media before winners are chosen. The rewards include cash, prizes, media coverage and recording time in a studio.
The City Rescue Mission was established in 1946 by a group of Christian businessmen to help alcoholics in the Jacksonville area.
For more information visit them at www.crmjax.org or call 387-4357.
Realtors providing backpacks for school
Prudential Network Realty is asking everyone to take the Backpack Challenge.
The Jacksonville real estate firm and Prudential Financial’s Community Volunteer Council are collecting backpacks and school supplies for foster children through Aug. 10 at all area Prudential Network Realty offices.
“Imagine having to leave behind everything that is familiar — home, school, friends, even siblings. This is a reality for foster children,” said Christy Budnick, executive vice president of residential real estate, Prudential Network Realty.
“Having their own backpack, filled with school supplies, is one way these children can feel a sense of pride of ownership. We want to give hope to these children,” she said.
Last year, Prudential Network Realty team members gathered more than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies. This year, the company has set a goal of gathering even more for foster children from kindergarten to high school.
Backpacks should be labeled by gender and grade. The company is collecting backpacks for students in kindergarten through grade 12.
Suggested school-supply items to fill the backpacks include lined paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners, pencil bag or box, rulers, glue sticks, blunt scissors, folders, three-ring binders, one-subject spiral notebooks, colored pencils or markers and construction paper.
Additional items that would be appreciated include stuffed animals or toys, baseball caps and socks, tissues, compass/protractor, water colors, white glue, activity/sticker books, journals and index cards.
A Backpack Challenge shopping list is available at Prudential Network Realty office locations and online at www.PrudentialNetworkRealty.com.
Run and walk at Nocatee
The American Lung Association welcomes runners and walkers of all ages to join in the 2nd Annual Fight For Air Run/Walk Aug. 27 at the Nocatee Greenway Trails. The event will give participants an opportunity to experience the wooded trails of the Nocatee community.
Walkers can choose from either a 3-mile or 1-mile course, which will start at 5 p.m.
The certified 5K run will kick off at 5:30 p.m.
Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in various age categories.
Following the event, participants are invited to a party sponsored by Baptist Health at Nocatee Splash Water Park. Registered runners and walkers will have use of the exclusive park, including two water slides and a lazy river.
The celebration also will include food, donated by Jacksonville Ale House and Miller’s Ale House.
Funds raised through the event will support the programs and services of the local office of the American Lung Association
Visit www.FightForAirRunWalk.org for additional information and to register.
Lemonade for charity this weekend
Fourteen participating Jacksonville-area Panera Bread locations are coordinating lemonade stands Saturday and Sunday to help raise funds for the Children’s Home Society of Florida.
Each café will offer a 9-ounce cup of its signature homestyle lemonade to customers who donate at least $1 to the “Lemon-Aid for Kids” promotion.
In addition to the lemonade stand fundraiser, Panera will donate an additional $1 for each frozen strawberry lemonade purchased during the entire weekend. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Home Society of Florida to help support summertime activities for hundreds of children under the society’s care.
For more information and participating locations, call 493-7738.