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. 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.
Gala for pets at The River Club
First Coast No More Homeless Pets has scheduled its 7th Annual ARTunleashed fundraising gala, presented by Michael Munz, Thursday evening at The River Club.
All funds raised will benefit the organization’s free and low-cost spay and neuter programs that are reducing the euthanasia rate and shelter admissions in the community.
Since 2002, the group has facilitated more than 100,000 spay and neuter surgeries and reduced the euthanasia rate by 58 percent in Duval County alone.
First Coast No More Homeless Pets is one of the largest spay and neuter clinics in the country and serves all of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
Last year’s event raised more than $40,000 for animals in need and the group wants to raise more this year.
The evening’s main event includes a juried art show and silent auction of original animal-inspired artwork donated by local and regional artists.
Other highlights are unlimited Muttinis and Cattails, gourmet food from 16 local restaurants, live music by the Morton Perry Band and the unveiling of the organization’s new public service announcement produced by the Dalton Agency.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.jaxartunleashed.com or by calling 520-7900.
Kids helping kids at Dreams Come True
With the summer starting, Dreams Come True has announced that 16 schools participated in the Kids Helping Kids program during the 2010-11 school year.
The schools raised $28,582 and sponsored the dreams of 14 children battling life-threatening illnesses.
Kids Helping Kids is a signature program of Dreams Come True and brings together students and young people with dream recipients.
Through the program, each school raises money 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 other activities.
Following the events, 100 percent of the funds raised are donated directly to dream fulfillment. Each group then hosts a Celebration of Life party, which in turn provides an opportunity for the students to meet and spend time with their sponsored dream child.
Through the Kids Helping Kids program, students experience the satisfaction that comes from helping others and the dream recipient meets students who made his or her dream come true.
Kids Helping Kids groups include schools, clubs, youth groups, and civic, religious and service organizations.
Any organization interested in participating in the Kids Helping Kids program, or would like additional information, should call Dreams Come True at 296-3030.
Toiletries needed at Sulzbacher Center
Today marks the official start of summer and the Sulzbacher Center is kicking off its annual summer toiletry drive. The center is in need of soap, shampoo, deodorant and other basic toiletries for the homeless men, women and children who live at the Sulzbacher Center.
Summer travelers are encouraged to collect travel-size toiletries during their vacations and donate them to the Sulzbacher Center. Volunteers also are needed to conduct toiletry drives at businesses and civic groups.
The Sulzbacher Center needs donations of items in travel or regular sizes, including soap, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, deodorant, bug spray, sunscreen, toothpaste, toothbrushes and lip balm.
Volunteers interested in conducting drives in their workplaces, neighborhoods, clubs and places of worship can download promotional fliers by visiting www.sulzbachercenter.org and clicking on “How You Can Help.”
For more information, contact Taylor Strasser at 394-8084 or email [email protected].
Rescue mission expanding facilities
The City Rescue Mission is expanding to accommodate the growing number of homeless women and women with children in the Jacksonville area.
Renovations are currently under way to remodel an existing building on the McDuff campus into a new Women’s Emergency Services Shelter.
The facility will provide housing for up to 50 women and four women with children, more than triple the current amount of space available.
Currently, CRM can house 14 women in the overnight women’s shelter, and there are limited accommodations for women with children.
“To escape from the darkness and dangers of the streets, women and women with children come to our emergency services shelter on a nightly basis,” said David Bugher, executive director for City Rescue Mission.
“Over the past year, City Rescue Mission has provided nearly 9,000 nights of safe shelter for women and children and as the numbers continue to rise, we are simply running out of empty beds. It is essential that we adapt our space and services to meet their needs,” he said.
City Rescue Mission’s emergency shelter services provide women and women with children with a safe place to sleep away from the violence and brutality they might experience on the streets.
They are also fed a nutritious meal and provided with clothing and other basic necessities. While at the shelter, the women receive information about the mission’s LifeBuilders Recovery Program, which can help them stay off the streets permanently.
“Our emergency shelter serves as a gateway to our other programs, so the more women we can accommodate, the more we can help to seek long-term changes in their lives,” said Bugher.
“For women with children, we hope to break the cycle of homelessness by helping mothers to provide a stable life for their children” he said.
The new building previously served as the Learning Center for the mission’s LifeBuilders and New Day Workforce programs, which has been relocated into the main building.
Renovations are slated for completion in August, and $200,000 has been raised for the project.
Other renovations have also been taking place at the City Rescue Mission.
The LifeBuilders Women’s Dorm received new hardwood flooring, and nine rooms out of 18 have been remodeled.
The Men’s Dorm hallway received a fresh coat of paint and a few of the rooms have also been remodeled. The main lobby area was also painted and outfitted with new furniture.
“We are extremely grateful for the donors who help fund our renovations and other projects. Without them, we would not be able to provide our area’s homeless and needy with a safe place to turn their lives around,” said Bugher.