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 continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Young professionals support Ronald McDonald House
ImpactJax, the young professionals program of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, has announced its 2011 Leadership Team. The team will be led by 2011 Chair Suzie Hutto of CSX Corp. and Chair-elect Ranaldo Allen of Foley & Lardner LLP.
Additional leadership team members include:
• Governmental Affairs Chair Kate Wallace of The Fiorentino Group.
• Professional Development Chair Ecia Truesdale of Jacksonville University.
• Social and Cultural Chair Amanda Becker of the U.S. Tennis Association of Florida.
• Service and Giving Chair Randy Edmunds of Wells Fargo.
• Member Relations representative Dorthula Tillery of Fidelity National Financial.
“Our energetic members are excited to interact with other young professionals, engage in the chamber, grow in their careers, take active roles in our industries and connect with others in the community,” said Hutto.
“ImpactJax members achieved great success in 2010, and we are on our way to another prosperous year in 2011,” she said.
ImpactJax capped off its year with a celebration that raised more than $1,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville, which provides lodging and other services for critically ill and seriously injured children and their families.
The event was at Latitude 30, which collected donations to the Ronald McDonald House from ImpactJax members in lieu of admission.
“We selected the Ronald McDonald House as the beneficiary for this event because we know how much the donations help support the families the organization serves,” said 2010 Social and Cultural Chair Whitney Johnson-Rule. “In addition to professional development, our members enjoy many social networking opportunities, including happy hours, cultural outings and sporting events.”
The organization’s mentoring program makes it possible for young professionals to establish meaningful relationships with local business leaders. To help new members ease into the organization, the group launched a new ImpactJax Ambassador Program.
With more than 600 members, ImpactJax serves as a network of professional contacts for 21- to-40-year-olds who currently, or are looking to, live and work in the Jacksonville area.
For more information, visit www.impactjax.com.
Prudential grant for cultural programs
The Prudential Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville to continue “The Prudential Art Makes a Difference Program.”
The program will help local school teachers bring the arts into their classrooms and provide cultural opportunities to underserved students.
“Thanks to The Prudential Foundation, more students will receive enriching arts experiences and more teachers will be able to incorporate the arts into their curriculum,” said Robert Arleigh White, Cultural Council executive director.
“Research shows us that the arts improve educational outcomes, and through the three-pronged approach of ‘The Prudential Art Makes a Difference Program,’ we have the potential to create greater impact,” he said.