As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this feature 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 submissions 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.
Homebuilders walk for charity
Toll Brothers, a builder of luxury homes, raised more than $42,000 this year by supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Light the Night Walk” events nationwide.
Locally, Toll Brothers employees recently showed their support by participating in the walk at The Jacksonville Landing.
“Light the Night” is an annual event that raises funds for the society’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
In September 2010, Toll Brothers lost a colleague, former Chief Financial Officer Joel Rassman, to chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
Last year, the company formed teams across the country, including in North Florida, and walked in Rassman’s memory, raising $41,684 for the society.
“Toll Brothers employees have amazing team spirit, and we are so proud to join our colleagues across the country in supporting this important cause again this year,” said Greg Netro, Toll Brothers North Florida Division assistant vice president.
Toll Brothers supports the communities in which it builds. For more information, visit www.TollBrothers.com.
‘65 Roses’ raises $75,000
Despite the blustery weather, more than 80 golfers turned out Nov. 5 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of North Florida’s 12th annual “65 Roses” golf tournament at the Jacksonville Golf & Country Club.
The tournament is named “65 Roses” for what some children with cystic fibrosis call the disease because the words are much easier for them to pronounce.
In spite of inclement weather that forced the cancellation of the companion tennis tournament, the event raised $75,000, with more donations expected.
“We are grateful to all of our devoted friends, supporters and volunteers who didn’t let a little wind and rain deter them from helping to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research,” said Claudia Werner, executive director of the North Florida Cystic Fibrosis Foundation office.
The success of the tournament was largely based on the support of area businesses and organizations.
Premier sponsors of the event included Wolfson Children’s Hospital, PlaidParty.com, Anonymous Friends of the Foundation and W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor.
American Airlines served as the national corporate sponsor and Bansley, Brescia & Co. served as the 65 Roses sponsor.
Other sponsors included Levy Jewelers, Deerwood Florist, Clockwork Marketing, Media Share Consulting, Money Pages, Brumos Motor Cars, Tennant & Russell, Energy Armor, Bold City Brewery, North Florida Sales, M & M Signs, Dalton Agency and PGA Tour.
Lunch during the tournament was provided by Cantina Laredo, Brucci’s Pizza, Big Dawgs Sports Restaurant, Urban Flats and Jacksonville Golf & Country Club.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
After more than 50 years of service, the foundation remains committed to its core mission to assure a means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease.
For more information, visit www.cff.org or call the North Florida office at 733-3560.
Sulzbacher celebrates veterans
The Sulzbacher Center celebrated Veteran’s Day with a special ceremony to honor all 34 residents and seven staff members who have served in America’s armed forces.
The ceremony closed with the raising of a new U. S. flag donated by Judy Davis, a longtime Sulzbacher Center supporter. Her father was a veteran and the flag was used in his military funeral ceremony.
Auto dealer collecting food
Mike Davidson Ford has begun its 4th annual food drive for the City Rescue Mission, with even higher goals and expectations this year.
The campaign began Nov. 1. Food donations will be collected through Dec. 16.
This year, the dealership has grown its efforts by partnering with local businesses including Ameris Bank of St. Johns Town Center, Jacksonville University, First Transit and Greenwood School.
Expectations are to surpass last year’s total of 3,000 pounds of food collected. The new goal is to collect enough canned and non-perishable goods to fill the beds of four Ford F-150 trucks.
The food drive benefits the City Rescue Mission, a nonprofit, faith-based organization.
The City Rescue Mission has provided help to the homeless and the needy of Northeast Florida since 1946, including providing nearly 300,000 meals a year.
The mission offers programs such as the New Day Workforce and LifeBuilders. The goal is to help people leave the streets.
“We are honored and appreciative to work with Mike Davidson Ford again this year,” said Penny Kievet, director of resource development at City Rescue Mission.
Donations will be collected at Mike Davidson Ford along Atlantic Boulevard across from Regency Square Mall.
Sweaters needed for annual drive
WJCT invites the community to lend a helping hand to neighbors by contributing new and nearly new sweaters, jackets and blankets to the 9th annual Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive, which runs through Nov. 30.
Contributions will be donated to St. Vincent’s Mobile Outreach Ministry, the Clara White Mission and other local nonprofits serving the needy.
Donations can be brought to WJCT at 100 Festival Park Ave. across from EverBank Field; to Two Men and a Truck at 8849 Arlington Expressway; and to all Community Hospice and VyStar Credit Union locations.
For more information, visit www.wjct.org or call 358-6314.
The sweater drive honors the life and work of the late Fred Rogers.
“The cardigan sweater has come to represent the gentle spirit, warmth, and nurturing of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” said Michael Boylan, WJCT president and CEO.
The Mister Rogers Sweater Drive is supported by VyStar Credit Union, Two Men and a Truck and the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police.
Builders to host golf tournament Dec. 5
The Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Chester Stokes Holiday Golf Tournament is scheduled Dec. 5 at Marsh Landing Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach.
“We appreciate Chester’s lifelong support of the association and his leadership in the industry,” said Michael Bourré, 2011 president of NEFBA and presi-dent of Bourré Construction Group.
“This is a wonderful event to benefit our association, and we anticipate a full field on the course and a great day of camaraderie and fellowship,” he said.
The cost to play is $125 per person or $400 per foursome. Participants will receive two drink tickets, lunch, dinner, snacks on the course and range balls.
Tournament sponsorships are available. To become a sponsor or register for the event, contact Jamie Atkins at 725-4355 or [email protected].
Poker run benefits hospice
The 4th Annual Poker Run hosted Sept. 24 by the American Legion Riders of the Arling-ton Chapter 283 contributed more than $14,400 to Community PedsCare, a program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
Two hundred riders traveled more than 15,000 miles to benefit the nationally recognized pediatric palliative and hospice program for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
Since 2008, the American Legion Riders Chapter 283 contributed more than $63,000 to help provide services for those in the community living with advanced illness.
In recognition of their service to the community, the Arlington chapter received the State of Florida Chapter of the Year award for 2010-11.