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 believe would be of interest to our readers. Email to: [email protected]. We encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they continue to provide much-needed services with reduced resources.
Pine Castle to benefit from 'Run for the Roses'
Pine Castle Inc. plans the "Run for the Roses Derby Day Soiree" at 4:30 p.m. May 4 at the Timuquana Country Club at 4028 Timuquana Road.
The event includes a live telecast of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Ky., a 50/50 drawing, blackjack and roulette competitions, a silent auction, a "Bonnets & Bow Ties" contest, entertainment, traditional derby fare and mint juleps. Dress is "Derby Duds" bonnets and bow ties.
The honorary chairs are Scott and Lisa Coble. Charlene Shirk is the mistress of ceremonies.
Supporters include Triple Crown Presenting Sponsors Wells Fargo and Action News CBS TV-47 and FOX TV-30.
Individual tickets are $125. Sponsorships are available from $500 to $5,000.
The event benefits Pine Castle, which serves adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and provides support to their families.
Pine Castle, at 4911 Spring Park Road, teaches social and self-care skills, provides group activities, offers vocational training and helps with job searches.
The Kentucky Derby features 20 thoroughbreds that race on the first Saturday in May in what is called the fastest two minutes in sports.
In 1904, the red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. The tradition was strengthened in 1925 when New York sports columnist Bill Corum, later the president of Churchill Downs, dubbed the Kentucky Derby the "Run for the Roses."
For information about the Pine Castle benefit, call Pine Castle at (904) 733-2650, email [email protected] or visit www.pinecastle.org.
Speech & Hearing Center schedules giving event
The Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center plans its 2nd Annual "Champions for Speech & Hearing Luncheon" at noon May 8 at St. John's Cathedral Downtown at 256 E. Church St.
Incepture is the presenting sponsor of the event, which serves to increase awareness and raise funds to support the center.
Angela Spears will serve as the mistress of ceremonies and present a proclamation from the mayor's office in support of "Better Hearing and Speech" month, which is nationally recognized in May to raise public awareness and promote understanding of communication disorders.
The event will honor the Junior League of Jacksonville for its role in the founding in 1949 of the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center, in addition to its volunteer support and resources throughout the years.
Wells Fargo will be recognized as a community corporate partner of the center.
For 64 years, the center has provided audiology and speech-language services to thousands of children and adults in the community regardless of their ability to pay. It provides services to about 4,000 children and adults each year.
Event reservations are accepted through Tuesday by calling (904) 355-3403, ext. 234, or by emailing [email protected].
Ante up to help Guardian ad Litem
Poker players of all skill levels are "all in" for the Voices for Children of the First Coast's 3rd Annual Ante Up for Children charity poker tournament at 6 p.m. Friday at the BestBet Poker Room in Orange Park.
The event benefits children served by Northeast Florida's Guardian ad Litem program.
The tournament includes a poker tutorial session for beginners and cash prizes of $700, $500 and $200 for top finishers.
Snacks and refreshments will be served.
There is a suggested pre-registration donation of $50 per player, $60 at the door.
Attendance is limited and early registration is recommended.
Visit voicesforchildrenjax.org or contact Lynne Hirabayashi at (904) 434-5915 for information.
Voices for Children of the First Coast Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the Guardian ad Litem Program for Florida's 4th Judicial Circuit, which includes Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.
River Garden campaign raises $7.6 million
On March 17, River Garden completed its capital campaign, "Building Our Future…Together," and raised more than $7.6 million.
During the agency's annual meeting, Martin Goetz, River Garden CEO, provided special thanks to honorary chairs Linda and David Stein, who made a lead gift of $1 million, and chairs Susan DuBow and Sandy Zimmerman.
The raised funds enabled the agency to add a 10,000-square-foot addition to grow its out-patient services, including The Therapy Center and Adult Day Care programs.
In the next several months River Garden Senior Services' Home Healthcare program will expand because of the campaign.
River Garden is a not-for-profit, mission-driven community agency that offers elder care programs and is located on a 37-acre campus in Mandarin, serving Northeast Florida.
It is a six-time recipient of the "Florida Governor's Gold Seal Award for Excellence in Long-Term Care" and is consistently rated a five-star nursing home by state and federal regulators.
For more information, visit rivergarden.org.
Gate Foundation supports MDA
Through its Green Shamrock Campaign, The Gate Foundation supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association's by donating almost $65,000 by way of its sale of $1 green shamrock lapel pins in Gate convenience stores in March.
Every year, thousands of businesses across the U.S. participate in the shamrock program.
"Our local businesses that participate in the program show they genuinely care about children and adults in our community who live with muscular dystrophy," said Lauren Herringdine, association First Coast executive director.
"Gate customers are dedicated to giving to their local communities. Every dollar donated by our customers through this campaign will benefit the specific community-MDA division in which it was collected," said Hill Peyton, foundation chairman.
The association's program directly helps local families affected by the 43 diseases the association covers, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Proceeds help support the association's worldwide research program, as well as its national network of 225 hospital-affiliated clinics.
Shamrock sales also help send 1,200 children with muscular dystrophy to barrier-free association summer camps like Camp Suwannee in Dowling Park.
For more information about the Shamrocks Against Dystrophy program or the association, contact Herringdine at the Jacksonville East District office at (904) 296-7434, or visit the website at www.mda.org.