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.
Watson receives JAX Chamber Beaches Division award
The Jacksonville Bullies Lacrosse Team’s CFO, Henrietta (Hank) Watson, has received the Walter R. Murr Award for Outstanding Community Service in 2011 from the JAX Chamber’s Beaches Division.
The award is given each year to an individual who promotes Beaches’ business and helps make the community a better place to live.
Primarily given to Watson for her role as founder and former executive director of Bands Against Breast Cancer, the award also represents recognition of her volunteer roles since moving to Jacksonville Beach nearly 10 years ago.
“Hank has given her time to support a variety of nonprofit agencies, including the chamber, and exemplifies what the award is all about,” said John Bryan, Beaches Division director.
Watson is a certified public accountant and currently works for The Jacksonville Bullies, the city’s new pro lacrosse team, along with operating her own public accounting practice.
“Given our team’s philosophy of giving back to the community, we’re extremely proud of Hank’s accomplishment,” said Jacksonville Bullies’ co-owner Chris Milo.
A graduate of Leadership Jacksonville in 2005, she currently serves on the board of Bands, the American Cancer Society (where she was named Beaches Volunteer of the Year for 2005-06) and The Crosse Foundation.
Watson also is a board member with the Beaches Division of the JAX Chamber and is the current chair of the community involvement committee.
Watson previously served on the Leadership Jacksonville Selection Committee, Alumni Relations Committee and the Youth Committee, the JAX Chamber board of governors, the Professional Women’s Council board, the St. Johns River City Band board and as a board member for domestic violence organizations in other communities.
The chamber award is named for Walter Murr, who was chairman of the Beaches Chamber of Commerce before it merged with the JAX Chamber. Murr was known for his leadership in the community, including his charitable endeavors.
The Jacksonville Bullies team is one of five North American Lacrosse League teams formed the past summer in preparation for the league’s 2012 inaugural season. Other franchises are in Hershey, Pa.; Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Louisville, Ky.; and Charlotte, N.C.
For more information, visit www.jaxbullies.com.
Jacksonville-based Vizergy to raise $50,000 for nonprofit
Ten local children will have their dreams granted thanks to the dedication of one local business.
Vizergy, a Jacksonville-based hotel Internet marketing company, announced a yearlong partnership with Dreams Come True to raise $50,000 for the 10 children’s dreams.
Dreams Come True is the area’s only locally based nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling dreams for children who are battling life-threatening illnesses.
The first step in making the partnership official was the recent creation and rollout of a partner fundraising website that recognizes companies and individuals recruited to the cause.
Vizergy also opted to be a part of the Dreams Come True “Holiday Sponsorship Program” that matched companies and individuals with a dream family to provide gifts that dreamers and their siblings might want or need during the holiday season.
Several events, including a black-tie gala event in February and a golf tournament in March, are being planned. Dates and ticket information will be announced in early 2012.
Vizergy also has set up a social media campaign on Facebook and for every page “like” the company receives, Vizergy founder and CEO Joe Hyman will make a $1 donation to the cause. The goal is to raise $10,000 through the outlet.
“Our company realizes how important it is to give back to the community,” said Brenda Key, Vizergy client marketing services coordinator.
“Our goal is to contribute as much as we can to Dreams Come True to make these children’s dreams a reality,” she said.
For information about the partnership, visit www.dreamscometrue.vizergy.com. For more information on Vizergy, visit www.vizergy.com., and for Dreams Come True, visit www.dreamscometrue.org.
FOP replenishes local food bank after holidays
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 will help replenish the Mandarin Food Bank at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The FOP began the food drive just before Thanksgiving in conjunction with WinterFest at Adventure Landing.
Participants of the food drive received a discount toward tickets to the outdoor Winter Wonderland event at the
park as part of a sponsorship with the FOP.
In addition, the FOP was able to also contribute food to the drive through other programs it conducts throughout the year.
The announcement of the donation will take place at the FOP, 5530 Beach Blvd., and the food will be transported to the Mandarin Food Bank.
“The FOP prides itself on the work we are able to do for this community, not only through protecting our officers but also the numerous charitable activities we plan each year,” said Nelson Cuba, FOP president.
“Food banks across the nation are seeing a rise in families who need their services and following the holidays it can be heartbreaking to turn those away because you don’t have the donations necessary,” he said.