As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this feature 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 feel would be of interest to our readers. Email submissions to: [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Holiday party for children in Clay County
For the 30th consecutive year, the John P. Hall Sr. Children’s Charity will be holding their Christmas Party Dec. 17 to benefit underprivileged children in Clay County. Over the past 30 years, more than 42,000 Clay County children have enjoyed a Christmas that might not have been possible.
“I am so proud to be a part of this Christmas tradition, which my father started back in 1981 to carry on my grandfather’s work of helping the underprivileged in Clay County,” said Virginia Hall, president of J.P. Hall Charities.
The annual Christmas Party provides children from newborn to 14 years old with a bag of new toys, based on age and gender. Children may also select one gently-used toy and bicycles will be given out randomly throughout the party. In conjunction with the Orange Park Clothes Closet, families will also be able to receive free clothing for the entire family. Partygoers will be treated to hotdogs, sodas and popcorn and entertainers will be performing Christmas carols.
The party is scheduled 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 17 at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs. The outside gates will close promptly at noon but everyone in line before the gates close will receive a gift. Children must be present to collect their gift. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The party is open to any Clay County resident and proof of residency is required.
For more information, visit www.jphallcharities.com or call 284-7398 or 284-7541.
‘Festival of Lights’ Saturday in San Marco
It is time to get ready for the 15th Annual Festival of Lights 5k and 1 Mile Family Fun Run.
The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals event is scheduled in San Marco Square Saturday beginning with the Fun Run at 5:30 p.m. followed by the 5k at 6 p.m.
Thousands of participants are expected run or walk a race route lined with more than 3,000 luminaries. The event allows entire families to participate in a healthy holiday activity while having fun with the event’s signature jingle bells on their feet. Once completed, participants and families can take part in additional festivities, including a Kids Zone with bounce houses, arts and crafts, music and a visit from Santa Claus.
The San Marco Merchant’s Association will be hosting their “Holiday Magic” event featuring horse-drawn sleigh rides, “The Little Train That Could” rides, and a mountain of snow. Firehouse Subs has donated food for all of the runners.
New this year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is encouraging all participants to pledge to raise funds for the pediatric programs at Shands Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Everyone who registers will receive their own personalized fundraising website, which will allow friends and family to directly contribute to their personal goal using a secure credit/debit card transaction.
All donations are tax deductible and benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For every $100 raised, registered fundraisers will be entered into a weekly drawing for prizes. Grand prizes will also be awarded to the top three fundraisers.
Register today by visiting an area 1st Place Sports store or online at www.1stplacesports.com.
Foundation Financial Group helps veterancs
A team of volunteers from Foundation Financial Group recently helped beautify the grounds of a local organization, Chapter One of the Disabled American Veterans at 1439 Parental Home Road. The organization also received a monetary donation by the financial services company.
Foundation Financial Group CFO Tanya L. Mauro, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, spearheaded the philanthropy project.
“The DAV works year-round to enhance the lives of veterans who have fought to preserve our freedom around the world. This is our way of doing our part to honor them and the work they do for the men and women who fought for our country,” she said.
Founded by veterans in 1920 to fight for veterans’ needs, the DAV was chartered by Congress in 1932 to serve as the official voice of the nation’s wartime disabled veterans.
Last December, Foundation Financial Group volunteered their services to spruce up the DAV’s Southside Chapter with a fresh coat of paint.
Through financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteerism, Foundation Financial Group supports initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in the areas of education, workforce development, environmental sustainability and health and wellness. Foundation Financial Group in November donated more than 235 volunteer hours and is on par to tie their quarterly volunteer record.
Donate blood, support foundation
Donating with The Blood Alliance this month means you will be helping fund lifesaving pediatric research with one blood donation.
TBA is donating $1 to The Joshua Frase Foundation for each blood donation made at any of its donor centers throughout the month of December to honor the brief life of Joshua Frase, and the future lives his foundation will save with funding for critical medical research in myotubular myopathy.
TBA is also donating $5 for every 50 online accumulated ePoints donated back by donors this month in the Hero Rewards Store located in eDonor at www.igiveblood.com. Additionally, Comcast Business Class is partnering with TBA to make a financial contribution to this cause.
Students collect food for seniors
The Jacksonville area came together to help Comfort Keepers collect nearly 2,000 pounds of food through its STOP Senior Hunger food drive for local seniors in need during the months of October and November.
“We asked the community to make food donations to help local seniors and raise awareness of the growing epidemic of senior hunger and malnutrition, and they came through with open arms,” said Kathryn Murphy, owner of the local Jacksonville Comfort Keeper’s office.
Comfort Keepers partnered with the Student Nutrition Club from the University of North Florida.
“The students helped enormously in making our first annual drive a huge success. Headed by Lacey Hogue, they delivered and collected approximately 50 food collection boxes to local employers as well as all through the university. They were instrumental with two car washes held at the Mandarin K-Mart and raised over $450 used to buy additional food,” Murphy said.
In response to a growing need for awareness about senior hunger, the Comfort Keepers system has launched a nationwide campaign called STOP Senior Hunger to create awareness for the importance of a healthy diet for those 65 and over. This senior nutrition campaign aims to help seniors preserve their independence by providing diet and nutrition information, encouragement and necessities.
For more information on the local STOP Senior Hunger campaign, contact the local Comfort Keepers office at 230-9220.
Pink ribbons raise more than $98,000
Exceeding all other in-store campaigns in the history of the company, The GATE Foundation presented the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign with a $98,844 donation generated by the sale of pink ribbons in all GATE convenience stores during the month of October.
“Thanks to the generosity of our customers and the already remarkable customer service demonstrated by our employees, we are helping support the American Cancer Society’s vision of a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays,” said Hill Peyton, GATE Foundation chairman/president.
Customers of GATE Store 1194 in Tallahassee and Store 229 in Douglas, Ga. supported the cause in a big way, boasting the highest percentage of ribbon sales.
The GATE Foundation, the philanthropic entity of GATE Petroleum Company, supports efforts and services that nurture and protect the well-being of family and community. GATE Petroleum Company is a privately-held diversified corporation headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., the 11th largest in Florida in 2010. Over the past six years, GATE has raised more than $250,000 in support of the fight against breast cancer. For more information on The GATE Foundation, visit www.gatepetro.com and select “Charitable Gifts” or call 737-7220.
Realtors collecting household items and gifts
Prudential Network Realty is committed to supporting the real estate needs of communities across the First Coast. As part of this mission, Prudential Network Realty Broker/Manager Rebecca Stoneback and her team at the Prudential Network Realty Fleming Island office are lending their support to A Heart for Homes, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes gently used household and personal items to families in Clay County.
“The charitable outreach performed by A Heart for Homes is truly inspirational. We are in the business of selling homes, so this organization’s mission to help those in need really resonates with all of us,” Stoneback said.
Prudential Network Realty’s Fleming Island office distributed backpacks and school supplies collected during the company’s annual Backpack Challenge to A Heart for Homes. Stoneback and her team have also donated food, clothing and furnishings to the organization. They also are collecting food, toys and additional donations to distribute to A Heart for Homes during the holiday season.
The public is encouraged to drop off donations for A Heart for Homes at Prudential Network Realty’s Fleming Island office, located at 3535 U.S. Highway 17 in Fleming Island.
A Heart for Homes is a sister mission to Heart for Homeless. The nonprofit organizations help families in Clay County by collecting and distributing household items to help meet their needs. More information is available at www.aheartforhomes.com.