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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.
Publix Super Market helps ‘Kids Helping Kids’
As the new school year approaches, Publix Super Markets Charities has donated $12,500 to Dreams Come True for its Kids Helping Kids program.
Kids Helping Kids is a signature program of Dreams Come True and brings together students and young people with dream recipients.
Through the program, money is raised to sponsor the dream of a child who is battling a life-threatening illness. Fundraising projects can include car washes, bake
sales, dances, talent shows, coin collections and many more activities.
During the 2010-11 school year, students participating in the Kids Helping Kids program raised more than $28,000 and sponsored the dreams of 14 children battling life-threatening illnesses.
Through the Kids Helping Kids program, students experience the satisfaction that comes from helping others and the dream child meets caring students who made his or her dream come true. Kids Helping Kids groups include schools, clubs, youth groups, and civic, religious and service organizations.
Anyone interested in supporting or participating in the Kids Helping Kids program can call Dreams Come True at 296-3030.
Founded in 1984, Dreams Come True has made dreams a reality for more than 2,750 children in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Dreams Come True directs 100 percent of all donations, unless otherwise specified, to the dreams of children battling life-threatening illnesses.
Day camp for children with disabilities
Angelwood Summer Day Camp is celebrating its 10th season of summer fun for area children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
The program runs for six weeks in the summer from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church.
Angelwood Summer Day Camp is similar to many summer day camps. Campers experience music, arts and crafts and recreation along with both small and large group activities such as carnivals, inflatable water slides and puppet shows.
The biggest difference is the adult support Angelwood Summer Day Camp provides. While the campers think they are simply having a good time, they are maintaining motor skills while enhancing social skills.
In 2001, Angelwood Summer Day Camp was created out of community need for child care through the summer when school is not in session.
As a child with a disability ages, it is more difficult to find appropriate and safe care while parents need to work.
Angelwood Summer Day Camp gives parents peace of mind by offering trained, screened staff to work with their children both during the camping day and with an extended day option in both the morning and afternoon.
The program is developed to meet the needs of the campers. The high staff-to-child ratio, the CPR and first aid training and counselor orientation program gives the staff the tools needed to fully participate in the program. A nurse is on-site because of the complex medical needs of the campers,
Angelwood assists families in caring for the special needs of family members through programs suited to each person’s individual goals.
Angelwood provides services such as residential group homes, respite care, behavior services, summer day camp, adult day training, supported employment and transportation.
For more information about Angelwood, visit www.angelwoodjax.org or call 288-7259, ext. 19.
New young professionals group
St. Johns Riverkeeper has a new way for concerned citizens to become involved with efforts to protect the St. Johns River.
The nonprofit advocacy organization is launching a group for young professionals and community-minded advocates ages 21-44. The young professionals group will offer social activities and volunteer projects for its members.
“By forming a young professionals group, we hope to provide a new avenue for people to get involved and to connect with the St. Johns and like-minded individuals who care about their river,” said Kelly Savage, outreach director of St. Johns Riverkeeper.
The naming party for the young professionals group for St. Johns Riverkeeper is scheduled 5-8 p.m. Aug. 5 at Bold City Brewery.
Can’t make the event? Send in naming ideas to [email protected] by Aug. 3. The winning selection will win a free membership to the group.
For more information, visit www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org.
Insurance company creates fundraiser
As charity organizations, community groups and public schools face severe budget cuts, Brightway Insurance is stepping up to help these organizations fill in their budgetary gaps.
The “Brightway Gives Back” program allows nonprofit organizations, sports teams and community groups to raise money without buying goods, selling magazines, greeting cards or holding car washes.
“It seems like no matter where you turn lately, some type of organization is experiencing a budget crisis,” said Brightway CEO David Miller.
“Instead of funneling dollars into our advertising programs, we decided to re-invest these dollars back into the communities we serve,” he said.
The program provides a competitive insurance policy review to households.
Organizations in need of fundraising can contact their local Brightway office to enroll in the program.
For every member or friend of the organization who receives an insurance quote, Brightway Insurance’s local office will donate $10 to that organization.
There’s no participation fee for the Brightway Gives Back program and no purchase is necessary to receive the $10 donation.
In addition to receiving a competitive insurance quote as part of Brightway Gives Back, participants will receive a free hurricane guide and a home inventory kit to document their household property and valuables.
‘FinFest on the River’ Sept. 24
Helping as many as 3,000 children and adults a year in need of speech and hearing services, the Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center is throwing a party with a purpose Sept. 24 at The Florida Yacht Club.
“FinFest on the River” is this year’s annual charity fundraiser for the nonprofit organization founded in 1949 as one of the first speech and hearing centers to serve children in Northeast Florida.
Before 1949, there were no services in Jacksonville for children with hearing or speech problems, although hearing, speaking and understanding the spoken language are essential components to a child’s growth and development.
The Junior League of Jacksonville recognized the need and helped to establish what is now known as the Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center.
Over the past few years, the need for the center’s services has grown because the number of socially and economically disadvantaged families needing speech and hearing services has increased dramatically.
“When the ability to speak and hear doesn’t exist or is impaired, the isolation can be profound and the repercussions lasting,” said Bill McQuilkin Jr., the center’s executive director.
“Your support will help us provide these children and adults with the necessary communication skills to overcome these communication barriers, succeed in life and become more productive citizens in our community,” he said.
For information regarding tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Janet Irvin, development officer, at [email protected] or 355-3403.