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.
Thousands walk for breast cancer research
About 10,000 people participated in the American Cancer Society "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" 5K walk Oct. 26.
The event honored breast cancer survivors, educated people about how to reduce their breast cancer risk or find the disease early and raised funds to end breast cancer. Money raised will help the society provide free resources and support to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer; to fund research to find, prevent, treat and cure breast cancer; and to ensure access to mammograms for those who need them.
"Making Strides Against Breast Cancer unites us all to walk together as the most powerful force to end breast cancer," said Laura Hersperger, American Cancer Society account representative.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting nearly 300 communities to finish the fight.
Sponsors of this year's Jacksonville event were Florida Blue, Speedy Banana, VyStar Credit Union and MBB Radiology.
Visit cancer.org/stridesonline or makingstrides.org/Jacksonville. For more information about breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
A little dinner and a big donation
The Players Championship kicked off its annual Giving Back Month with golfer Fred Funk (right) helping serve a Thanksgiving-style dinner and dessert at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville. The Players donated $10,000 to the charity. Since 1977, The Players Championship has raised more than $52.8 million that has benefited more than 300 charities in Northeast Florida. Funk won the championship in 2005.
Runners support Haven Hospice
Runners dashed along Butler Park Beach, many in their favorite Halloween costumes, for the Monster Dash 5K and the Creepy Crawl Fun One-Mile Run on Oct. 26 to support Haven Hospice in St. Augustine.
Congratulations to the top three runners: Craig Layman, Sam Bodo and Gary Maze.
Haven Hospice is a not-for-profit community hospice organization providing services since 1979 and licensed in Florida since 1980. Haven received national recognition as a Circle of Life Award Recipient from the American Hospital Association for excellence and innovation.
Haven also has been recognized as a Florida Pacesetter for its leadership in promoting advance directives. Haven has served more than 60,000 patients and families in North Florida.
For more information, visit havenhospice.org.
$50,000 grant for Sulzbacher Center
Sulzbacher Center has received a two-year, $50,000 health access grant from Medtronic Philanthropy to help increase access to pharmaceuticals that treat asthma, hypertension and diabetes.
"Without this phenomenal gift, the center could not meet the overwhelming need in our community for these important prescription medications," said Cindy Funkhouser, Sulzbacher Center president and CEO.
Sulzbacher Center was nominated by Medtronic leadership working in the Jacksonville office for a proven track record in addressing local, critical health care needs. This gift will also celebrate 10 consecutive years of Medtronic support for the center's medical efforts.
"At Medtronic, we are dedicated to improving the health of the world, and that starts right here in Jacksonville," said Michael S. Barker, Medtronic senior manager, inclusion and community engagement. "We invest in localized health access initiatives that support and recognize community-based organizations such as Sulzbacher Center, allowing them to continue and expand their great work."
The Health Access Grant is one of 34 grants awarded by Medtronic around the world in recognition of community-based programs and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to expanding access to chronic disease care for the underserved.
11th annual 'Mister Rogers' sweater drive
WJCT and VyStar Credit Union encourage the community to lend a helping hand to neighbors by contributing new and nearly new sweaters, jackets and blankets to the 11th annual Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive through Nov. 30.
Blankets and children's sweaters are most needed, but all donations are welcome. Contributions will be given to St. Vincent's Mobile Outreach Ministry, Sulzbacher Center, Clara White Mission and other Northeast Florida nonprofits.
Community members may take items to WJCT, 100 Festival Park Ave., across from EverBank Field; Two Men and a Truck, 8849 Arlington Expressway; and all VyStar Credit Union locations.
This year, schools are again invited to collect contributions. The three schools that collect the most items will receive a prize.
For more information, including drop-off points and school participation forms, visit wjct.org or call (904) 358-6322.
In its first 10 years, community members have contributed more than 100,000 sweaters, jackets and blankets. The sweater drive has grown from a single drop-off point in the WJCT lobby to a community wide partnership with multiple drop-off points.
"The cardigan sweater has come to represent the gentle spirit, warmth, and nurturing of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," said Michael Boylan, WJCT president and CEO. "After 10 years, Fred Rogers' message of caring and consideration still resonates deeply with First Coast community members, inspiring them to reach out to neighbors in tribute to his memory. The values that children learn from Fred Rogers and his program are timeless."
Jaguars' Bradley to coach McKenzie's Run
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley will be the coach of the fourth annual McKenzie's Run at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at EverBank Field.
The event benefits The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation, a nonprofit organization that unites and mobilizes young people to care for others and give to those in need, both locally and globally.
Locally, the foundation operates two McKenzie's Academic Resource Centers, with the help of teen and teacher volunteers. The centers provide free mentoring and academic programs to more than 300 elementary, middle and high school students in two Jacksonville communities.
The foundation has built three orphanages in Uganda, Africa. The orphanages, called "Amaka ga McKenzie" –– Lugandan for McKenzie's Home –– care for more than 50 children.
After the run there will be a celebration with live music, games, an inflatable obstacle course, face-painting, an awards ceremony and an autograph signing by Jacksonville Jaguars ROAR cheerleaders.
Participants can run or walk in this family-friendly event. By registering with a team of three or more people, the cost to participate is $15 per person.
To register for the event and for more information, visit caregivegrow.org.
The 2013 McKenzie's Run is sponsored by EverBank, The Players Championship, Lender Processing Services, Acosta, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Service Link and Action News.
The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in memory of McKenzie Wilson, who died in 2010. Its mission is to help young people recognize their full potential by providing programs that encourage caring for others, giving to those in need and growing in their own spirituality.
Goodwill benefits this month
Goodwill of North Florida's 13th annual "Striving to Succeed" lunch featuring its Achievers of the Year and Celebrity Fashion Show is scheduled at noon Thursday at the Morocco Shrine Center.
The 2013 Achievers of the Year are Junior Joyner, Veronica Rose and James E. Stewart.
The fashion show, which features apparel and accessories donated to Goodwill, includes about 15 community volunteers and media personalities and reporters.
The mistress of ceremonies will be Nikki Kimbleton of WJXT TV- 4.
Also, Goodwill plans "Blue Sunday," an invitation-only fashion event Nov. 24 featuring celebrity "runway models" who will don designer fashions and accessories at the nonprofit's Bluetique store in Ponte Vedra Beach.
For information, visit goodwilljax.org.
B&G Refrigeration offers special to nonprofits
B&G Refrigeration Co. Inc. announced that from Oct. 15-Dec. 31, it will discount or return as a donation 15 percent of any service call to nonprofits by its refrigeration, electrical and heating and air divisions.
"We have been in Jacksonville for 40 years and want to share some of our blessings," said owner and President Patrick Barger. "For the nonprofits with kitchens, this could be a real help as monies are stretched thin."
For information, call B&G at (904) 620-0081. Its website is bandgrefrigeration.com.