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].
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.
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office donates $10,000
On behalf of Sheriff Tommy Seagraves, a check for $10,000 was presented to the Family Nurturing Center of Florida by Capt. Butch Osborne of the patrol division, and Hope Lewis, victim advocate for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
The Family Nurturing Center partnered with the Nassau County Bar Association to provide a visitation facility that opened in July in Nassau County. The purpose of the center is to provide a family oriented environment where children can safely meet their parents for supervised visitations and exchanges.
Since opening in Yulee last year, the center has provided safe visitation and exchange services to the community while keeping victims safe and preventing new crimes.
The center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the needs of children and families in Northeast Florida. Its mission is to provide a nurturing environment for families impacted by divorce, custody battles, and domestic violence by keeping children safe during those challenging times and helping parents foster positive relationships with their children.
New start for 26.2 with Donna
26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer announced plans to move the official race start of the 6th Annual 26.2 with Donna from Mayo Clinic to ATP Tour Boulevard in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The site is home of the parking venues for The Players Championship. The official race finish, and all of the runner amenities, will remain at Mayo Clinic.
In February, the 5th Annual 26.2 with Donna experienced record participation with more than 10,146 registered runners. To accommodate growth and better serve its race participants, 26.2 with Donna made the decision to move the start to the new location. With help from the PGA Tour, free on-site parking for 15,000 vehicles will be available for the event, scheduled Feb. 17.
“To finish breast cancer, we must continue to grow and raise more funds to support the important work at Mayo Clinic and The Donna Foundation. Our vision for 2013 and beyond requires us to review our strategy for growth,” said Donna Deegan, founder and event chair.
26.2 with Donna is a private nonprofit organization in Northeast Florida with the mission to produce world-class events dedicated exclusively to raise funds to end breast cancer. All raised funds and race proceeds for all 26.2 with Donna events fund breast cancer research and care.
Since its inaugural year in 2008, 26.2 with Donna has contributed more than $3 million to its beneficiaries. Seventy percent of proceeds are donated to the Mayo Clinic for breast cancer research. Thirty percent of proceeds are donated to The Donna Foundation to help breast cancer patients with critical financial needs.
To view the new race route, visit breastcancermarathon.com.
United Way program recognized
United Way of Northeast Florida was recognized as a finalist for the Common Good Awards at United Way Worldwide’s Community Leaders Conference in Nashville.
The award in the “Income” category recognizes the results of the Real$ense Prosperity Campaign collaborative led by the local United Way efforts in Baker, Clay Duval, Nassau, Putnam and northern St. Johns counties.
The inaugural Common Good Awards were created for the 125th anniversary of United Way and highlight coalitions worldwide that are creating communitywide change in education, income and health.
“It is a tribute to our communitywide partnerships and Real$ense Prosperity Campaign volunteers that our results in improving income in our communities have been acknowledged by national and international corporate and nonprofit leaders,” said Connie Hodges, president of United Way of Northeast Florida.
Adopt a pet this spring
The Jacksonville Humane Society is encouraging families to bring home a pet by offering low-cost adoption fees and participating in community adoption events.
“Spring is a wonderful time to adopt a pet because the weather is perfect for long walks and trips to the dog park,” said Denise Deisler, executive director.
The society is a nonprofit animal welfare and education organization.
It is currently offering several adoption specials including free adoptions for pets ages 3 years and older. The regular adoption fee for dogs and cats 6 months or older is $75. All adoptable pets are spayed or neutered, have microchips, are heartworm-tested, are up-to-date on shots and treated for fleas, ticks and other parasites.
Adopters are required to purchase a City rabies license tag for $20 and a six-month supply of heartworm prevention when adopting a dog. The cost of a six-month supply of heartworm prevention ranges from $21 to $30. Adopters must bring or purchase an approved leash and collar for their dog or a break-away collar and approved carrier for their cat. The organization also sells the items in the shelter’s boutique.
The society will participate in the Best Friends Super Adoption Event at the Mandarin Adoption Center, located at 10503 San Jose Blvd., from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. May 19 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 20.
Manufacturers support scholarships
The First Coast Manufacturers Association hosted its 22nd annual golf tournament to fund engineering scholarships for the University of North Florida.
About 144 golfers participated in the event April 27 at the Deercreek Golf and Country Club. The tournament raised $9,000.
“Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward paying for engineering scholarships each year, in addition to building our college endowment program,” said Lake Ray, association president.
“Education, particularly the science, math, chemistry and engineering fields, is critical to our community’s workforce. We must have an educated talent pool available for manufacturers or any high-tech companies doing business in Jacksonville. By offering scholarships and tying them to the outstanding engineering program at UNF, we hope to be able to help supply qualified employees to area businesses,” he said.