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.
Charity tournament a success
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation raised $87,000 during the 11th Annual 65 Roses Golf and Tennis Classic at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club.
“We had a fabulous turnout and would like to thank everyone, including our sponsors and participants, for their tremendous support,” said Claudia Werner, executive director of the North Florida Cystic Fibrosis Foundation office.
“The success of the tournament ensures vital cystic fibrosis research continues,” she said.
The most popular live auction items included a trip for two to the 2011 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, a golf threesome with Bubba Dickerson on the stadium course at TPC Sawgrass and a trip for two to the America’s Cup of Stars and Stripes Sailing Experience in San Diego.
Premier Sponsors of the 11th Annual 65 Roses Golf and Tennis Classic were Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Nemours Children’s Clinic. Additional sponsors included Bansley, Brescia & Co. P.C.; Czarnowski; PrepChefs.Com; Mendez Family Care; Sethness-Greenleaf; The 9th Annual Plaid Party; W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor Inc.; J. Bard McClean’s New Year’s Day Golf Tournament; Cantina Laredo; Clockwork Marketing Services; North Florida Sales; Estee Lauder; Best Buy; Wilson Sporting Goods Co.; MediaShare Consulting; Tennant & Russell; M&M Signs; Deerwood Florist; Solvay Pharmaceuticals; Dalton Agency; and American Airlines.
Proceeds from the 65 Roses Golf and Tennis Classic will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Weatherman to run marathon in skirt
26.2 with Donna has announced the Tim Running in a Skirt Challenge sponsored by Citi Women’s Network Jacksonville.
Ch. 12/25 meteorologist Tim Deegan will run the 26.2 with Donna in a pink skirt donated by SparkleSkirts if he can raise $26,200 to finish breast cancer.
“It’s going to be great to feel the breeze,” said Deegan.
For every $1,000 raised, Deegan will run a mile in the skirt. Citi Women’s Network is putting up the first $2,620.
“Trust me, ladies. I’ve seen Tim in the skirt, and this is way worth it,” said 26.2 with Donna founder Donna Deegan. Donations are accepted online or at the marathon office payable to 26.2 with Donna. Designate “Skirt Tim” in the memo. To donate online, visit www.donate.breastcancermarathon.com.
Players Championship tickets for charity
Players Championship officials have introduced a new ticket program, “Chip in for Youth Sports.”
The event will allow area youth sports organizations and qualified middle and high school athletic programs to sell an “any day” $40 ticket to the tournament and to keep $25 from every ticket sold. The remaining proceeds will be donated to The First Tee.
Organizations from Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties can sell the tickets between now and April 3.
Organizations can sign up to participate and fans can purchase tickets to support this program at www.chipinforyouthsports.playerschampionship.com.
“The Players Championship and its charities have long supported area youth sports,” said Executive Director Matt Rapp.
“Our new Chip in for Youth Sports program will allow organizations across the five-county area to align themselves with one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world to assist in their fundraising. We look forward to supporting these youth sports organizations in every way possible and are excited to see how this new program benefits the area,” he said.
The Players Championship generated a tournament record $4.8 million for local charity in 2010, bringing the total in charitable giving to nearly $40 million since 1977, when The Players moved to Ponte Vedra Beach.
The tournament will also continue its youth policy for 2011, where children age 18 and younger are admitted free of charge with a ticketed adult. Any ticketed adult can bring multiple children age 18 and younger to the event. For example, a Little League coach could bring the entire team.
The tournament’s military policy, which invites all active duty, reserve and retired members of the armed forces and their dependents to attend the event free of charge, will also continue in 2011.
For tickets to The PLayers Championship, go to www.PGATOUR.COM/theplayers, or call 888-401-8000.
Homes for former homeless
Ability Housing, a nonprofit community development organization, has celebrated the renovation of its Mayfair Village Apartment complex at 3539 Beach Blvd. The complex has 83 units, 42 of which are reserved or formerly homeless individuals and families and 41 for low-income families.
“This is an exciting day for our organization,” said Shannon Nazworth, executive director of Ability Housing.
“This project is a milestone in the evolution of Ability Housing from a small program helping a few individuals to a nonprofit making an impact on our community. This is the first project that allows us to do that,” she said.
The project was funded with a combination of federal money and private investor cash. The funding included low-income housing tax credit equity, tax credit exchange program funding, and a HOME loan. The renovation has created or preserved 200 jobs with an overall economic impact of $13 million.
Ability Housing purchased the 60-year-old Mayfair Village in 2008. It used bridge loans from LISC Jacksonville and Bank of America along with a donation from the seller, an affiliate of The Vestcor Companies.
Families come to Ability Housing through shelters such as theSulzbacher Center or may be recommended by organizations working with the disabled. Many of the families, more than 60 percent at the present time, have children.
Ability Housing partners with support providers to help the families become self-sufficient, contributing citizens to the economy, which saves tax dollars that would be spent on programs to assist the families.
Ability Housing also recently purchased the Brandywine Court Apartments with the assistance of federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds from the City of Jacksonville. The project has been renamed Renaissance Village with renovation construction scheduled to begin in April.
Ability Housing transitioned in February 2007 from Grove House to its present organization. To learn more, visit www.abilityhousing.com.