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.
$100,000 for Community Hospice
The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation Inc. on June 18 presented a check to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida for $100,000.
The latest donation brought the Amelia Island Concours total contribution to Community Hospice to more than $1.8 million since the first event in 1996.
Funds raised help Community Hospice provide quality-of-life care for adults and children with advanced illnesses and assist in supporting their family members. The organization's mission is to improve quality of life for those who need care, regardless of ability to pay, throughout Northeast Florida.
Now in its second decade, the Amelia Island Concours is among the top automotive events in the world.
Held the second full weekend in March, the event draws nearly 250 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile.
Communities In Schools earns 4-star rating
Charity Navigator awarded Communities In Schools of Jacksonville with its fourth consecutive 4-star rating based on the organization's fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.
"Only 17 percent of the charities we rate have received at least two consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Communities In Schools of Jacksonville outperforms most other charities in America," said Charity Navigator President and CEO Ken Berger.
Jon Heymann, Communities CEO, said this year's rating marks the ninth time the organization has achieved the designation during Charity Navigator's 12 years of existence.
"Our leadership and staff are proud to be in the elite group of charities that have achieved consecutive 4-star designations," Heymann said.
Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health, accountability and transparency of 6,000 of the largest charities in the country.
For more information, visit charitynavigator.org.
Summer hours for Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity in St. Johns County has put into place a summer schedule.
Volunteers and homeowners will build homes from 8 a.m.-noon Fridays and Saturdays. Officials are asking for volunteers to help during the shortened workdays because of the need for enough workers on-site.
Those interested can register at habitatstjohns.org.
UNF grads study philanthropy
As part of the Weaver Philanthropic Initiative, 11 recent college graduates who were recipients of the University of North Florida's Weaver Family Foundation scholarships spent nine months learning about philanthropy and how to allocate charitable funds.
Under the direction of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the students met monthly and learned the steps to giving wisely and providing efficient grant-making.
They were asked to evaluate three nonprofit programs in the Jacksonville area. They were able to fulfill their mission and make a $25,000 grant to Communities In Schools, a dropout prevention program in Duval County.
"Giving money away thoughtfully is hard work but if you do the due diligence and you have passion and compassion, you can be a philanthropist at any level," Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver told the group.
Members of the inaugural class were Sarah Bobbitt, Alexis Clark, Marie Cochran, Jessica Hollo, Nicole Kornatz, Laura Schrey Perry, Clauselie Prinvil, Lauren Rios, Christopher Thompson, Jamie Totten and Brittany Williams.
More than 60 next-generation philanthropists have been through the program and received a firsthand look at opportunities and strategies for philanthropy.
It was the first group of Weaver scholarship recipients to take part.
In recognition of the philanthropic leadership provided to the community by the Weavers, this year the initiative was renamed the Weaver Philanthropic Initiative.
Credit union staff donates pet food
Community First Credit Union collected more than 75 bags of pet food in less than a week after a company official learned that City Animal Care and Protective Services was severely low on food.
Mike Tomko, Community First senior vice president of operations, said after hearing of the food shortage he sent a plea to company employees at the company's Downtown headquarters to bring in dog and cat food to donate to the shelter.
"This is a great example of why Community First has been selected as one of the 'Best Places to Work' in Jacksonville," said Tomko.
"Employees are encouraged to get involved in the community and support one another's passions and causes. Collecting pet food is just one of the many ways that Community First employees give back, and we are sure our furry friends at the shelter appreciate the kindness," he said.