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.
Radiothon for Children’s Miracle Network
Local radio station Caliente 105.3-FM raised more than $48,000 for Shands Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital over a two-day Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon Dec. 8-9.
“We are so blessed to have partnered with Caliente 105.3 for our inaugural Hispanic Radiothon. I have been inspired by the passion and generosity shown by the local Hispanic community. We are so grateful to Victor Martinez, program director for Caliente 105.3-FM, as well as all of the DJs and staff who did an amazing job of inspiring and motivating their listeners. We are ecstatic with the results,” said Kerri Solomon, director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Jacksonville.
The program has been an integral part of Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s fundraising efforts since 1997.
More than 300 stations participate annually, raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in their respective communities. Children’s Miracle Network Radiothons have raised more than $280 million in support of 170 children’s hospitals in Canada and the U.S.
“The Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon program raises approximately $50 million each year for children’s hospitals in North America,” said Steve Oshin, vice president of Radiothon, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The Radiothon program is supported by Foresters, a provider of life insurance and annuity products that help customers, known as members, with their needs for financial security.
As the international underwriting sponsor, Foresters’ support ensures that every dollar raised during the Radiothon stays in the region to help children and their families at Shands Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
For more information, visit www.foresters.com.
Gifts for patients at Community Hospice
The Stellar Foundation, the corporate-giving division of Stellar, an architecture, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm, gathered holiday gifts and distributed them to critically ill children and their families at Community PedsCare.
Community PedsCare is a Community Hospice of Northeast Florida program that provides care and support to children with life-threatening conditions and their families.
This is the Stellar Foundation’s fifth year partnering with Community PedsCare for its holiday adopt-a-child program.
Each year, Stellar employees volunteer to anonymously “adopt” a Community PedsCare family member and purchase items based on a list of pre-requested gifts. This Christmas, the program provided the organization with presents for more than 80 patients and family members. The gifts, which include clothing, video games and toys, are based on lists provided by the children.
“Even in a down economy, our employees continue to give because these families are so close to all of our hearts. We want these families to have a joyful holiday season that’s more about fun and family than doctors and hospital beds, and starting this program was the Stellar Foundation’s way of helping contribute to that goal,” said Allison Korman, Stellar’s director of corporate marketing and public relations.
The Stellar Foundation is a longstanding Community PedsCare partner and is a sponsor of the organization’s annual “Halloween Doors and More” celebration, among other events.
Community PedsCare was established by Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in collaboration with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Clinic and the University of Florida.
The program, based in Jacksonville, is a pediatric palliative and hospice program for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
Community PedsCare offers in-hospital and in-home medical, nursing, psychosocial, spiritual, volunteer and other services to support, comfort and care for children and their families.
For more information, visit www.communityhospice.com.
Shopping at Belk benefits nonprofits
Belk Inc. announced that its fall charity sale Nov. 5 raised more than $5 million for 7,700 participating nonprofits throughout Belk’s 16-state market area.
The semiannual Belk charity sale provides opportunities for local nonprofit organizations to sell $5 tickets to supporters and keep all revenues from ticket sales.
Ticket purchasers receive discounts on purchases throughout the store during the special sale hours.
“This fall’s charity sale proved to be a great success and the money raised for these very deserving schools and organizations show how our communities embrace the spirit of giving. Belk has a deeply rooted tradition of giving dating back to our founders more than a century ago, and we are committed to continuing this proud heritage of community involvement,” said Tim Belk, chairman and CEO of Belk Inc.
“We’d also like to recognize Belk associates for the important role they play in the success of Charity Sale,” said Jessica Graham, vice president of communications and community relations at Belk.
“From Atlanta to Jacksonville and Dallas to Melbourne, every Belk store works closely with local charities to maximize participation and results,” she said.
“For instance, the Paragould, Ark., store held a charity sale kick-off breakfast for participants and in Macon, Ga., pet adoptions were sponsored during the sale. Belk associates have shown great passion for supporting participating nonprofits,” she said.
Belk’s spring charity sale, held April 16, also raised more than $5 million for charities, bringing the 2011 total for both events to more than $10 million.
Belk’s next charity sale is scheduled for April 21. All 501c3 nonprofits are invited to participate.
Christmas trees at airport benefit Dreams Come True
The Jacksonville International Airport Management Council is in full swing with its 2011 Christmas tree-decorating contest that will run throughout December.
Thirty-two decorated trees are on display at Jacksonville International Airport in the interior courtyard, near TSA screening and by the ticketing counters.
Visitors to the airport this holiday season will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite decorated tree through a $1 donation. Donations and votes can be submitted at the ballot box in the JIA courtyard near Sam Snead’s restaurant.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Dreams Come True, the locally based nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses.
Since starting the fundraiser in 2003, more than $40,000 has been raised, which has helped in sponsoring 10 dreams.