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 believe 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.
Wells Fargo grant to help neighborhoods
Wells Fargo & Co. donated $110,000 to Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corp. as part of $5.53 million in grants awarded to 52 nonprofits through its “Leading the Way Home Program Priority Markets Initiative.”
The initiative helps to stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods hard-hit by the economy. The program provides grant support for neighborhood stabilization projects located in areas designated for revitalization to stimulate growth, stability and investment in distressed areas.
“These grants will help stabilize and rebuild local communities,” said Scott Coble, North Florida regional president of Wells Fargo.
“We want to do what we can to make resources available to support efforts led by nonprofits to revitalize neighborhoods in cities that have felt the effects of financial difficulties and a challenging economy,” he said.
Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corp. was selected from requests submitted by local team members and nonprofits that Wells Fargo identified as being in need of extra help with large-scale neighborhood revitalization projects. Priority Markets Initiative grants can be used for any costs associated with the development or redevelopment of the project, except advertising and marketing.
A maximum of 20 percent of the grant can be used for homebuyer subsidies such as down payment and closing costs. Recipients must be an IRS 501c3 organization or government entity with a successful history of building or renovating housing for low- to moderate-income homebuyers.
Wells Fargo’s Leading the Way Home community outreach program helps communities stabilize their current housing situation while advancing homeownership. From 2008 through November 2011, Wells Fargo has invested more than $40.8 million in community revitalization programs.
Tree of Life at Community Hospice
More than 400 people attended the 21st annual Tree of Life and Service of Remembrance Dec. 8 at the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring.
The event featured lights representing the more than 76,000 adults and children that Community Hospice has served in its 33-year history.
The lights illuminated the Tree of Life, as well as the campus of the Hadlow Center on Sunbeam Road.
Along with carriage rides, live music and refreshments, the event also featured a candlelight service of remembrance to help families celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones. Attendees were invited to bring photos of their loved ones for display on memory tables.
“For many, the holidays are a meaningful time for families to gather together and celebrate. For those who are missing a loved one this holiday season, it can be difficult to join the celebrations,” said Roxanne Miller, manager of bereavement and community grief for Community Hospice.
Three trees decorated with memorial ribbons will be on display in front of the Hadlow Center until Jan. 4. For a donation of $25 to the Community Hospice Foundation, a ribbon with a loved one’s name is placed on the Tree of Life. A donation of $50 or more includes a handcrafted porcelain ornament keepsake. For details, visit www.communityhospice.com.
The Community Hospice Foundation provides funding for unfunded and underfunded Community Hospice programs, including Community PedsCare, indigent hospice care and the programs and services of the Charles M. Neviaser Educational Institute.
Builders show holiday spirit
Members of the Northeast Florida Builders Association and its Sales and Marketing Council showed their giving spirit by taking part in charitable activities to benefit local children during the holiday season.
The 7th annual SMC holiday auction, held during the monthly NEFBA/SMC breakfast program featured auctioneer Bill Elrod auctioning items contributed by members.
A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit the children and youth at Daniel, a multiservice agency that assists children, adolescents and families.
During the event, individual members and companies dropped off gifts for Daniel’s “Christmas Wish List Collection” so that every child has gifts to open this holiday. Guests attending the event also donated teddy bears to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
“Community service has always been fundamental to NEFBA’s mission,” said Michael Bourré, 2011 president of NEFBA and president of Bourré Construction Group.
“During the holiday season, it is especially important to remember the needs of children. It has been inspiring to see the philanthropic outreach and support demonstrated by our kindhearted members,” he said.