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 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.
Grant supports Exchange Club program
The Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation has pledged $10,000 to support the Exchange Club Family Center of Northeast Florida.
The grant will be used to increase community awareness of the organization's child abuse prevention program and enrich fundraising efforts so more at-risk families can be taught how to avert abusive behaviors and use effective parenting skills.
"Child abuse affects more local families than people realize," said foundation President Peter Racine. "We're proud to support the Exchange Club Family Center, and more importantly, the children and families who will be served through this project."
Wear red Friday for heart health
Friday is National Wear Red Day and February is American Heart Month.
The American Heart Association First Coast Market is participating in or hosting a number of public events Friday, including:
• Main Street Bridge Go Red Event from 7-8:30 a.m. Friday. Attendees are encouraged to wear the wildest red outfit they own and stand with the First Coast Go Red Team to wave to people entering and exiting Downtown.
Participants should meet at the base of the Main Street Bridge on the north side of the St. Johns River at Bay and Main streets.
• 24 Strokes for Heart Erg-A-Thon from noon Friday to noon Saturday at Jacksonville University's Negaard Rowing Center.
The JU men's and women's rowing teams and the Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports Rowing Team will row to raise awareness for women's heart health.
For event participation, contact Jim Mitchell at (904) 860-7224 or email [email protected].
• Go Red Happy Hour from 6-9 p.m at BlackFinn American Grille at the St. Johns Town Center. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best red.
Boxing benefits Police Athletic League
The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville will host its annual Julian E. Jackson Amateur Boxing Championship Feb. 9.
The event is held in honor of the late, longtime league supporter and bantamweight boxing champion, Julian Jackson.
Jackson was a local businessman known for his chain of Lil' Champ convenience stores. He was a supporter of many Jacksonville-area sports programs and his generosity played an integral role in building the organization's W. 33rd St. education building and the Monument Road facility that bears his name, the Julian Jackson Center.
The event provides more than 40 local children an opportunity to compete in the sport of boxing. All proceeds from the boxing championship will benefit the league's boxing program to help purchase updated equipment and sponsor student trips.
The boxing championship is scheduled at the league's Julian Jackson Center, 3450 Monument Road, at Ed Austin Regional Park.
Bouts will begin at 6 p.m.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, registration or tickets, contact Shelly Williams at (904) 355-3308 or Tiffany Mackey at (904) 854-6555 or [email protected].
The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville is a nonprofit youth-serving organization with the cooperative effort of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Its mission is to reduce juvenile crime and instill positive values, character and leadership skills through athletics, education, mentoring, and teen leadership throughout the community.
For more information or to support the organization, visit jaxpal.com or call (904) 854-6580.
Friendship Walk set for Feb. 23
Best Buddies has scheduled its 2013 Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Feb. 23 at the Landing.
The 1.5-mile walk will raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies Jacksonville.
Best Buddies is a nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver with a mission is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
More than 400 of the organization's supporters are expected to walk for friendship and the overall enhancement of the lives of people with intellectual and development disabilities.
Best Buddies Jacksonville middle school, high school and college chapters will form teams and raise donations for the success of their chapters and Best Buddies' mission.
Registration is free and open to the public online at bestbuddiesflorida.org/jaxwalk. The Jacksonville chapter invites corporate and community teams to join the festivities.
"This will be a life-changing event for so many in our community," said Elise Greenbaum, Best Buddies Jacksonville advisory board chair.
"To see people coming together, joining hands with someone who has an intellectual disability is a beautiful sight. We are ready to celebrate friendship and social inclusion, and excited to share our mission with Jacksonville," she said.
Registration is at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. Activities include music and dancing, performances from local cheerleading groups, an inflatable bounce house, face-painting, refreshments and more.
For more information, visit the website or contact Brittany Lara, area director, at (904) 296-0510, ext. 404, or [email protected].