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 feel 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.
Pet adoption fees waived
The Jacksonville Humane Society is partnering with Purina to waive adoption fees on pets for adults 55 and older.
Through the new program, the society hopes to increase the number of adoptions at the shelter.
"Pet ownership helps people feel healthier, happier and more engaged with the community," said Denise Deisler, society executive director. "Even more importantly, pets encourage people to exercise and interact with others socially. We hope this new program will benefit people and pets, bringing joy to adopters and loving new homes to animals."
According to Ed Kane, author of "For Seniors: Pets Are Just Plain Healthy," pet owners enjoy more exercise, social interaction and laughter.
Kane reports pet owners tend to have lower medical costs and better overall psychological well-being.
The Purina-sponsored adoption program covers a pet's adoption fee, including the cost of spaying or neutering the animal, initial inoculations, microchipping, heartworm testing and feline leukemia and FIV screening.
Adopters must purchase heartworm prevention for dogs six months and older. Prices range up to $30 for a six-month supply.
Duval County residents also must purchase a $20 rabies tag at the time of adoption.
More information about the program is available at purina.com/petsfor55plus.
To learn more about adopting a pet from the society, visit jaxhumane.org.
'Dancing with the Stars' to benefit children's chorus
The Jacksonville Children's Chorus is partnering with A Social Affair Dance Studio for Jacksonville's Dancing with the Stars at 8 p.m. May 3 at the Times-Union Center.
The event will feature local celebrities partnered with professional dancers from the studio who will compete to be named Jacksonville's favorite dancer.
All of the Jacksonville Children's Chorus choirs and professional dancers will perform.
Proceeds will benefit the Jacksonville Children's Chorus.
Tickets to the event are $30, $60, $90 or $150 and can be purchased online, by phone or mail.
Visit the event website at JaxDWTS.com for details.
Seminar for nonprofits April 23-24
The Nonprofit Center will host certified fundraising executive Chuck V. Loring for two days of seminars regarding effective board governance and fund development.
The first is 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 23 at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites St. Augustine North and the second is from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 24 at the Hampton Inn and Suites Jacksonville Airport.
Loring will discuss topics such as board structure, recruitment, legal duties, roles, responsibilities and effective fundraising.
The Nonprofit Center has been hosting Loring since 2004.
Rena Coughlin, center CEO, said most organizations can't afford to pay $2,500 or more a day to bring in someone as their own consultant.
"Board governance and fund development are critical to nonprofit sustainability. Loring offers top-notch, engaging training for both board members and staff. He tackles ethics, diversity, transparency and fundraising asks – all the taboos and tough ones," she said.
Costs are $30 for Nonprofit Center members and $85 for non-members. Each additional person is $75.
For more information or to register online, visit nonprofitctr.org/convene/events.
Founded in 2002, the center is a 501c3 organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for nonprofits.
For more information, visit nonprofitctr.org.
W&O workers help food bank
Employees of W&O, a Jacksonville-based international supplier of products and services to the marine industry, volunteered their time with the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida.
The employees volunteered their time sorting and stocking food during the workday as part of W&O's corporate responsibility program, Time2Help. Time2Help is an initiative launched by W&O's parent company, Pon, which allows employees to dedicate 1 percent of their time— two full days per year for full-time employees — to work on a community service project.
The program is part of the company's overall investment in the local communities in which its employees live and work.
W&O's employees' time contributed to Pon's goal of giving back more than 12,000 hours of volunteer time to local communities worldwide.