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 email news, announcements and success stories 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.
Winn-Dixie supports Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida received a $3,000 grant from the Winn-Dixie Foundation. The grant will help The Salvation Army sustain core mission-related programs that provide basic services to homeless and near-homeless men, women, and children in Northeast Florida.
“At a time when it was needed the most, Winn-Dixie has extended its hand to help support thousands of hurting people throughout Northeast Florida,” said Maj. Dean Hinson, area commander for The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida.
“Winn-Dixie is at the heart of the communities we serve,” said Mary Kellmanson, marketing group vice president of Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. and president of the Winn-Dixie Foundation.
“We are pleased to partner with The Salvation Army, as together we work to make our neighborhoods a better place,” she said.
Clothing for tornado victims
Tornado victims of the recent storms in the Midwest received a $1 million truckload of new clothing necessities from Dignity U Wear.
Dignity U Wear is a nonprofit headquartered in Jacksonville that focuses on restoring the dignity to Americans in need by providing new clothing.
“As a result of our partnerships with leading clothing manufacturers and retailers, we were able to mobilize quickly and consolidate shipments valued at over $1 million of new clothing for men, women, and children,” said Barbara Truncellito, executive director of Dignity U Wear.
“The truck was packed with underwear, socks, pants, shortand long-sleeved shirts, jackets and winter hats. These important items that all of us take for granted will help the affected people of Indiana get back on their feet,” she said.
“Our partner CSX Corp. is able to deliver the shipment to Indiana Baptist Disaster Relief in just a matter of days,” she said.
LPS donates $50,000
As part of its “Commitment to Caring” program, Lender Processing Services Inc. has donated $50,000 to benefit Operation Homefront and Spare Key, nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing financial relief to families of deployed service members and families of critically ill or injured children, respectively.
“LPS is deeply committed to supporting charitable organizations that deliver much-needed services to individuals, families and communities,” said LPS President and CEO Hugh Harris.
Operation Homefront provides direct services to alleviate military families’ financial burdens, such as making payments toward mortgages, utilities, food and medical bills.
Spare Key, which received half of the donation, supports homeowners with critically ill or seriously injured children by making a mortgage payment on the family’s behalf, allowing the parents to spend more time with their child.
LPS has already kicked off its 2012 “Commitment to Caring” campaign to support nonprofit organizations across the country with financial donations, and many of the company’s employees will volunteer throughout the year to help raise money or otherwise assist charitable organizations.
Children’s Home Society annual awards luncheon
Children’s Home Society of Florida, Buckner Division will host its “Under the Tent” awards luncheon March 28 at the Buckner campus on San Diego Road to honor local individuals and organizations for their efforts to help children in Northeast Florida in 2011.
This year’s honorees include former Methodist Medical Center President and CEO Marcus E. Drewa, State Rep. Mia Jones, Fisherman’s Dock, Pat and Rob Savela and Deanna Hodges.
The annual awards luncheon for honorees, volunteers and their guests recognizes the exceptional work that these individuals and organizations have done to help Children’s Home Society of Florida as well as made a significant difference in the community it serves.
For information, call 493-7744.
Walk to defeat ALS
On March 31, more than 1,000 people will gather at Seven Bridges in Tinseltown to join the fight to find a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS patients, including those in wheelchairs, along with their families and friends will make a 2-mile trek in “The Walk to Defeat ALS,” hoping their steps will make a difference for ALS patients living in the Jacksonville area.
Many who walk have a loved one who is fighting the deadly disease. Others walk in memory of a loved one who has lost the battle. Many people without any personal connection walk out of a concern for those who are suffering with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The ALS Association’s signature event is the walk, in which all funds directly support research, programs and patient care. Last year, the walks raised nearly $1.2 million around the state of Florida.
Interested walkers should call 888-257-1717 or register online at WalktoDefeatALS.org.