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 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.
Grant for Vision Is Priceless
An $81,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation will support Vision Is Priceless Council’s efforts to provide free eye exams to uninsured adults in Northeast Florida.
Project See, a free clinic for low-income Jacksonville area residents conducted by Vision Is Priceless, Vistakon and Marco Ophthalmic, held its first clinic Oct. 10 using foundation grant dollars.
Eye examinations were performed at The Vision Care Institute.
Foundation representative Jared Skok presented a check to Vision Is Priceless Chairman Tom Treece.
In addition, W. Anthony Martin, Vistakon vice president of worldwide research and development/quality regulatory; David Marco, CEO of Marco Ophthalmic; and Susan Mattox, Vision Is Priceless executive director, attended the event in support of Project See.
The clinic was staffed by Vistakon associates, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, translators, administrative support, technicians and associates from the company’s South Asian Professional Network and Association.
Vision Is Priceless staff managed the event, scheduled patient appointments, arranged transportation and assisted at the clinics. All Vistakon associates, including doctors, volunteered for the event and provided their services at no charge.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grant money awarded to Vision Is Priceless will assist with the costs associated with running the program, including the purchase of eye glasses for low-income patients. Marco will provide the site and employees for the next Project See clinic.
“We are thankful to have the support of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation,” said Mattox.
She said the grant “will allow VIP to serve uninsured residents in Northeast Florida, a community where there is great need for such assistance.”
Stellar Foundation donates $50,000
The Stellar Foundation, the corporate giving arm of Stellar, a construction, design, engineering and mechanical services firm, raised funds for two Northeast Florida nonprofit organizations Oct. 7 at its fourth annual charitable golf tournament.
The foundation donated $30,000 to River Garden and $20,000 to Community PedsCare.
More than 144 players, including Stellar executives, vendors and partners, attended the 2011 Stellar Foundation Golf Classic, held at the St. Johns Golf & Country Club.
Stellar also invited Golf Classic participants to test their luck at a poker tournament held Oct. 6 at The Poker Room at St. Johns Greyhound Park.
“Each year at the golf tournament we realize how lucky we are to work with such generous partners and vendors, who care as much about this community as we do,” said Allison Korman Shelton, Stellar’s director of corporate marketing and public relations.
“We’re thrilled to be able to support these two deserving organizations, helping both young and elderly members of our community,” she said.
River Garden is a comprehensive system of elder care services offering inpatient and outpatient residential, medical, and therapy services to older adults.
Stellar said River Garden predates the Medicare and Medicaid programs and the “business” of elder care and has continued to uphold standards that exceed the requirements of publicly funded programs. Learn more at www.rivergarden.org.
Community PedsCare is a pediatric program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, providing a pediatric palliative and hospice program for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
The program offers hospital and home medical services to support, comfort and care for children and their families. Learn more at www.communityhospice.com.
Annual dinner seeking sponsors
The Justice Coalition and Ted Hires Legacy committee members are seeking sponsors for the Ted Hires Legacy Dinner.
Sponsorships are available at four levels; Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze.
The Michael and Kim Ward Foundation will serve as this year’s title sponsor. For more information on how to become a sponsor, visit www.justicecoalition.org.
The Ted Hires Legacy Dinner is scheduled Nov. 3 at the Morocco Shrine Center. It was established by the Justice Coalition and community leaders to become a lasting tribute to founder Ted Hires.
The event will help the Justice Coalition raise funds to carry on Hires’ legacy and continue its work assisting victims and their families in Northeast Florida.
During the event, “Extraordinary Heroes” will be honored for their contribution to helping victims of violent crime in three categories.
The “Extraordinary Citizen” is Floy Turner; the “Extraordinary Business Leader” is Joseph Vaughn; and the “Extraordinary Government Official” is Mike Weinstein.
Awards also will be presented to the Sheriff’s Choice for Extraordinary Citizens in Duval, Clay, Bradford and Nassau counties.
Those awards go to James Sansing of Bradford County; Virginia Hall of Clay County; Brent Bolick of Duval County; and Jennifer Zeorlin of Nassau County.
For more information, visit www.justicecoalition.org.
New brand for organization
Cathedral Foundation of Jacksonville Inc., a nonprofit organization enabling home-based senior independence in Northeast Florida, and its service division, Urban Jacksonville Inc., have a new name, brand image and website: Aging True.
“Aging gracefully and with dignity is what every person deserves. For nearly 50 years our programs and services have helped seniors do just that by enabling them to stay in their homes longer. However, the names of our nonprofits did not reflect this mission,” explained Teresa Barton, executive director of Aging True.
Burdette Ketchum, a Jacksonville-based integrated marketing firm, created the brand concept, identity, and marketing and online pieces.
Ballet to benefit Dreams Come True
The 20th annual production of The Community Nutcracker Ballet is scheduled at The Florida Theatre at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 10.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the featured charity, Dreams Come True, and the following organizations: PedsCare; We Care Jacksonville; Pace Center for Girls; Sanctuary on 8th Street; St. Mary’s Episcopal Outreach; and Second Harvest Food Bank.
With the creative talents of four artistic directors/choreographers — Debra Peters Rankin, Mark Spivak, Dulce Anaya and Beth Marks — more than 200 local performers will participate in the production of the holiday classic.
For seven years, The Community Nutcracker has worked directly with Dreams Come True and has helped bring joy and comfort to more than 25 children battling life-threatening illnesses. Proceeds from The Community Nutcracker Ballet that are designated to Dreams Come True will directly ffulfill the dreams of local children.
For tickets and more information, call 355-2787 or visit www.floridatheatre.com.