As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this feature that each week reports the efforts of local nonprofit organizations and the individuals and businesses that support them.
Bailey Publishing & Communications invites all members of the local nonprofit community to email news, announcements and success stories to [email protected] or 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.
Girls walk for a healthy future
Girls Inc. of Jacksonville hosted its second annual “Walking for a Healthier Future” event Thursday to raise awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic.
Three-time women’s swimming Olympic gold medalist Nancy Hogshead-Makar spoke at the event, held at the Ed Austin Regional Park.
Hogshead-Makar talked about training for the Olympics and about setting goals.
“You have to be strong, smart and bold to be an Olympic gold medalist,” she said.
Community volunteers included Bank of America employees and members of Greek life at the University of North Florida.
The walk around the park ended with water, apples and Yobe frozen yogurt at the finish line.
Girls Inc. of Jacksonville is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing girls ages 5–18 to be self-confident, responsible and well-rounded individuals.
For more information, visit www.girlsincjax.org, call 731-9933 or email [email protected].
Employees give time, money to food bank
Foundation Financial Group’s employees at its Jacksonville Regional Sales Center at 225 Water St. volunteered June 30 at Feeding North Florida Second Harvest Foundation.
The employees volunteered their time and made a monetary donation to the Feed North Florida cause.
The mission of the food bank is “to distribute food and grocery products to hungry people and to educate the public about the causes and possible solutions to problems of domestic hunger.”
“Second Harvest of North Florida is a great organization that helps so many local people in need. One dollar donated generates seven meals,” said Gregory Trew, Foundation Financial Group’s Jacksonville division general manager.
“This was my second time working with the Second Harvest organization and I can’t wait for them to have us again,” he said.
Second Harvest of North Florida was established in 1979 as a locally inspired, volunteer-driven nonprofit food bank.
The organization serves 17 counties in North Florida and partners with corporations, such as ConAgra, Wal-Mart, Winn-Dixie, Publix, BJs and Target.
950 dogs and cats adopted last weekend
In the largest pet adoption event held in Jacksonville, 950 dogs and cats were adopted Friday-Sunday at the “Mega Pet Adoption Event” at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds.
It was the largest event ever sponsored by PetSmart Charities. More than 10,000 potential adopters attended.
Pets were vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped.
First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services, the Jacksonville Humane Society and other animal rescue groups from across Northeast Florida worked together.
With more than 500 volunteers and team members, 96 percent of the available pets found homes.
Back to School Fest offers free supplies
The Fifth Annual Wal-Mart Back to School Fest presented by PepsiCo is scheduled 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 28 at the Jacksonville Landing.
Dozens of vendors will give away more than 200,000 school supplies to students from North Florida.
Children will receive one free backpack to fill with school supplies as well as food and drink samples, while supplies l ast.
Wal-Mart Vision Center staff will be there to provide free vision screenings. There also will be cholesterol screenings provided by Cholestcheck in addition to blood pressure checks.
There will be a fashion show as well as live entertainment throughout the day.
Other activities include PepsiCo food and drink sampling stations, balloon animals and more.
Businesses providing school supplies include the Jacksonville Zoo, Safe Kids Northeast Florida, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Del Monte Foods, A+ Tutor U and others. The event is free and open to the public.
Prudential seeks help with filling backpacks
Prudential Network Realty invites people to take the Backpack Challenge.
The Northeast Florida real estate firm is collecting backpacks and school supplies for foster children. The collections will be accepted at all area Prudential Network Realty offices through July 30.
“Imagine having to leave behind everything that is familiar — home, school, friends, even siblings. This is a reality for foster children,” said Christy Budnick, executive vice president of residential real estate.
“Having their own backpack, filled with school supplies, is one way these children can feel a sense of pride of ownership. We want to give hope to these children,” she said.
Last year, Prudential Network Realty team members gathered more than 300 backpacks filled with school supplies. This year, the company set a goal of gathering even more.
The company is collecting backpacks for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Backpacks should be labeled by gender and grade.
Suggested school supply items to fill the backpacks include lined paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners, pencil bag or box, rulers, glue sticks, blunt scissors, folders, three-ring binders, one-subject spiral notebooks, colored pencils or markers and construction paper.
Additional items that would be appreciated include stuffed animals or toys, baseball caps and socks, tissues, compass/protractor, water colors, white glue, activity/sticker books, journals and index cards.
A Backpack Challenge Shopping List is available at Prudential Network Realty office locations and online at www.PrudentialNetworkRealty.com.
356-2466