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.
Local Gate store helps set record
The Gate Foundation presented the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign with a $114,000 donation generated by the sale of paper pink ribbons in Gate convenience stores during October.
This year's campaign exceeded all other in-store campaigns in the history of the company for the second year in a row.
"We are tremendously grateful to our customers and employees for their generous contributions toward this year's campaign," said Hill Peyton, foundation chairman.
"Individually, these demonstrations of hope and encouragement may seem small, but collectively they show true testament to the human spirit. We are proud to support the fantastic work of the American Cancer Society," he said.
In addition to the signature paper pink ribbons that wallpapered many Gate stores, associates showed support by wearing pink shirts each Friday throughout October.
Additionally, Gate employees, their family and friends participated as a team in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
Store No. 1194 at 208 N. Magnolia Road in Tallahassee in the Southern Division and No. 229 at 1460 Bowens Mill Road S.E. in Douglas, Ga., in the Northern Division boasted the highest percentage of ribbon sales.
Store No. 1203 at 1001 Monument Road received honorable mention with the highest number of ribbons — $7,570 worth — sold overall.
Football fans donate clothing
Jacksonville Jaguars fans began a tradition of giving back to the community Dec. 9 through their donations of more than 2,000 articles of clothing at EverBank Field.
The fans joined Jaguars players, coaches and staff in a coat and clothing drive initiated by Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis, a Jacksonville native.
In partnership with Dignity U Wear and volunteers from Andrew Jackson High School, new and gently used clothing items were collected at the game.
"We don't have a final count because clothing is actually still coming in. Fans also donated more than $500 for Dignity U Wear to purchase needed items that are not usually donated, such as socks and underwear," said Jaguars Foundation President Peter Racine.
The clothing will be distributed through agencies that support formerly homeless men and women who need clothing for job interviews and re-entering the workforce.
Children's clothing will be distributed to area homeless shelters.
Partner agencies include the Clara White Mission, City Rescue Mission, Community Connections, Operation New Hope and the Sulzbacher Center.
Golfers raise $154,000
Professional golfers and local teams raised $154,000 at the 15th Annual Monique Burr Foundation for Children Inc.'s Jinglebells ProAm Golf Tournament.
The charity tournament featured 18 golf pros alongside 67 Northeast Florida golfers.
"This signature event is very important to the Monique Burr Foundation and we are so grateful for the overwhelming response and support from both the golfing community and the Northeast Florida community," said foundation Executive Director Lynn Layton.
"It is gratifying to see the golfers, sponsors, participants and volunteers all come together to make this tournament a success," she said.
About 75 people attended the closing ceremony where awards were presented to the tournament winners.
Stein Mart makes dreams come true
Stein Mart delivered joy this holiday season to Dreams Come True families through its 18 Kids of Christmas party Dec. 11.
For more than 17 years, Stein Mart hosted a Christmas party for dream recipients of Dreams Come True.
For the third consecutive year the celebration has started at Christ's Church off Greenland Road and included food courtesy of CiCi's Pizza, gifts provided by Stein Mart, a visit from Santa and tours of Jacksonville Sheriff's Office vehicles and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue engines.
Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville and members of the Roar attended to help spread the holiday cheer.
Following the celebration, dreamers were escorted in marked and unmarked JSO vehicles to local Stein Mart stores for shopping.
Dreamers each received additional gifts and a $50 gift card provided by Stein Mart.
Toyota hosts party for seniors
Southeast Toyota Distributors and parent company JM Family Enterprises celebrated the 19th annual Extended Family Night on Dec. 11 for almost 200 low-income elderly and disabled residents from four Jacksonville Housing Authority developments.
The developments were Twin Towers, Centennial Towers, Hogan Creek Towers and Brentwood Lakes.
JM Family associates created memories for the development residents that included holiday music, dancing, food and gifts — including a $25 Walmart gift card.
The authority's public housing program was established to provide safe rental housing for eligible low- and moderate-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities.
The authority is dedicated to building and sustaining healthy communities that promote individual responsibility, economic growth, human dignity and hope for the future.
Adopt or foster a pet
The Jacksonville Humane Society is offering $25 adoption fees in an effort to have a silent night at the shelter. The organization hopes to find homes for all animals in its care by Dec. 24.
"We want all of the dogs and cats at JHS to spend this holiday in a warm and loving home," said Denise Deisler, society executive director. "If you have room in your heart for a pet, this is a wonderful time to add a dog or cat to your family."
All pets available for the reduced adoption fee are spayed or neutered, have up-to-date vaccinations and are microchipped.
Puppies and dogs rescued from a recent hoarding case are not included in the reduced adoption fee. There is an additional $20 rabies license fee for Duval County residents.
"If you aren't in a position to adopt a pet this holiday, you can foster a dog or cat on Dec. 24 and 25. We don't want any animals to spend their holiday alone in the shelter. Instead we want to have a silent night here at JHS," Deisler said.
Foster families can pick up pets before the holiday and return them Dec. 26. If a foster family decides to keep a pet, they can adopt the animal Dec. 27.
HabiJax needs volunteers
In order to make a greater impact in Jacksonville neighborhoods, Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville is committing its experience, housing products and services to revitalize the historic New Town neighborhood.
Volunteers are needed to help achieve the organization's goal of providing homeownership opportunities to those in the Northeast Florida.
"Volunteers play such an intricate role in the work we do in the community," said HabiJax President and CEO Mary Kay O'Rourke. "The gift of time our volunteers so graciously give enables HabiJax to make a true difference in the Northeast Florida community."
There are several ways to become involved.
A capital campaign is under way with a $16 million goal that will contribute to building at least 100 new homes and serve 300 additional families through owner-occupied rehabilitation in New Town over the next three years.
Monetary donations are needed to support the construction of housing, but other opportunities to give back include assisting on the construction site or at the HabiJax ReStore.
HabiJax has provided homeownership to more than 1,850 families since 1988. HabiJax has served more than 7,500 local families with assistance from its other homeownership services, such as Critical Home Repair, A Brush with Kindness, Weatherization, Rehabilitation and Housing Counseling.
More information about HabiJax is available at habijax.org/volunteer or (904) 798-4529.