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. Email 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.
Wounded Warriors receive ‘Suits for Soldiers’
Haven Hospice, Dignity U Wear and Men’s Wearhouse joined forces to provide new suits and accessories to 10 wounded veterans in the Wounded Warrior Project’s TRACK Program.
On May 20, the veterans were fitted at Men’s Wearhouse as part of Haven Hospice and Dignity U Wear’s third “Suits for Soldiers” initiative, which provides free business clothing for veterans in the TRACK program. The veterans are preparing to embark on new careers.
“It is an honor to help local veterans through our Suits for Soldiers project,” said Tim Bowen, president of Haven Hospice.
“Together with Dignity U Wear, we are proud to have the opportunity to give back to the men and women who have given so much through their dedication and service to our country,” he said.
“We know that the transition from military uniform to professional business attire can be challenging,” said Bob Bryan, executive director for Dignity U Wear. “That’s why we’re so pleased to be able to help provide a great start to our local heroes as they prepare for a job interview and new career.”
Winn-Dixie selling water to benefit Wounded Warriors
Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. reintroduced a commemorative bottled water to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans injured in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For every 24-pack of the water sold through the Independence Day weekend, 10 cents will be donated to the organization, up to a total of $100,000.
“The proceeds from this program will help injured veterans regain what they have lost in service to our country,” said Mary Kellmanson, Winn-Dixie group vice president of marketing.
This is the second consecutive year Winn-Dixie is selling the specially packaged water to assist the nonprofit.
A 24-pack case of the bottled water sells for $3.99 and is available in the grocer’s 484 stores.
Meninak accepting charity applications
The Meninak Club of Jacksonville is accepting applications for its annual Charity Project Award.
The $30,000 grant will be awarded to a charity organization in the Duval County area that serves underprivileged or handicapped children and must be used for a capital improvement.
The deadline for submitting an application is July 15. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Meninak Club at [email protected].
More than $1 million has been distributed to charity organizations through fundraising projects and the Meninak Charity Foundation. Past recipients include Safe Harbor Home for Boys, Baptist Home for Children, Pace Center for Girls and Boys and Girls Clubs of Jacksonville.
Three finalists will be selected in August and the winner will be announced in September.
HandsOn Blueprint for Leadership renovates center
HandsOn Jacksonville announced that its 2011 Blueprint for Leadership cohort completed a full renovation of the Family Nurturing Center of Florida to update the facility’s interior and to improve the environment for parents and children throughout the First Coast who depend on it.
The collective efforts of 28 volunteers and donations from individuals and businesses across the First Coast helped to complete the project.
“Nearly 20 years ago, we opened a first-of-its-kind facility in Florida to provide families experiencing divorce, custody battles or domestic abuse a safe and nurturing environment for supervised visitation and exchanges and unfortunately, the center had begun to show its age,” said Stella Johnson, director of the center.
“We could not be more excited to have HandsOn Jacksonville’s Blueprint for Leadership cohort with us to help transform and bring some life and love to our facilities,” she said.
Monique Burr Foundation raises $42,000
Hawaiian fusion cuisine by celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi, tropical drinks and live fire dancing set the scene at the Monique Burr Foundation for Children Inc.’s annual “A Night in the Village” event at Roy’s restaurant in Jacksonville Beach.
The celebration raised $42,000 for the foundation and its programs. Every dollar raised will help children in the community through the foundation’s safety and child abuse prevention program, covering topics such as bullying and Internet safety.
“We had a great turnout at this year’s event with over 404 people in attendance and raised an extraordinary amount to help provide the new ‘Speak Up Be Safe’ program for elementary students, parents/caregivers and school personnel throughout the region,” said Lynn Layton, executive director of the Monique Burr Foundation.
“It is because of our generous sponsors, partners in Third Street Village and the First Coast community that this event was such a success.”
WJXT-TV anchor Bruce Hamilton was the master of ceremonies at “A Night in the Village.” The events included silent and live auctions and presentations by both Monique Burr Foundation founder Ed Burr and celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi.
Special guest auctioneer M.G. Orender, president of Hampton Golf, presented the live auction, which included items such as a week’s stay at the Steamboat Grande and an opportunity for two to play in the Lexus Charity Golf Tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Event sponsors included Lexus of Orange Park and Jacksonville, GreenPointe Holdings, Hampton Golf, PRI Productions, Portable Air and Clockwork Marketing.
For more information about the Roy’s fundraising event and the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, visit www.moniqueburrfoundation.org or call Executive Director Lynn Layton at 642-0210.
13th Annual Toast to the Animals
The Jacksonville Humane Society scheduled its 13th annual Toast to the Animals from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Omni Hotel. The fundraiser will feature more than 100 varieties of wine and beer, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and desserts, as well as silent and live auctions.
Tickets are $40 per person or $35 per person for people under 35 years of age. Tickets for designated drivers are $30 per person.
Tickets are available at www.jaxhumane.org or by calling 725-8766.
Paul Davis Restoration, Jacksonville Firefighters to raise funds for ballpark
Mike and Marguerite Mumford, Paul Davis Restoration of North Florida owners, announced that their office along with Jacksonville Firefighters Association IAFF Local 122 will help to raise funds for a storage facility at the Jacksonville Miracle League ballpark.
The 300-square-foot storage unit will be at McGirts Creek Regional Park at 8435 118th St.
To begin the fundraising, the Paul Davis office will sell tickets to a Firehouse Dinner scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Firefighters Association IAFF Local 122 banquet hall at 618 Stockton St.
Tickets are $35 per person, or $300 for table of 10, and can be purchased online. For more information or reservations, call 739-6047 or visit www.pdrestorationnf.com.
The Jacksonville Miracle League is a nonprofit that provides opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to play baseball, regardless of their abilities. Visit the website at www.jacksonvillemiracleleague.org.
The storage building project is scheduled to begin in September as part of the Paul Davis Restoring America program, an annual property improvement initiative to help those in need in local neighborhoods.
According to Marguerite Mumford, the community service project will include the donation of initial plans, engineering and design work, labor and inspections.
Construction materials will be underwritten by the fundraiser for cement, block, roofing, paint, smoke alarms, lights, fans, doors, windows and overhead doors, to name a few supplies.
Mumford estimates the total value of donated repairs to exceed $25,000.
The Mumfords also welcome local volunteers who want to help with the project, including students who require proof of hours in a community service project.
For more information about Paul Davis Restoration and Restoring America, contact Marguerite Mumford at 739-6047 or email [email protected].