Blood donor wins new truck
Jerry Figueroa from Jacksonville won a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, compliments of Nimnicht Chevrolet. He was randomly selected from among 41,000 donors at The Blood Alliance for the grand prize of the truck valued at $40,000.
Figueroa was joined by his wife, Mirna and son, Kevin.
“It was an incredible moment, and I was just in shock the moment it happened. Thank you, to The Blood Alliance and Nimnicht for this incredible gift,” Figueroa said. “I have an 18-year-old car that’s very old and with a challenging economy, I am not able to afford a new car. I prayed really hard to win the truck, so when I won it, I couldn’t believe it. I feel so blessed.”
Two local blood recipients, Andrin Espana, 17, and Patrick Davies, 46, helped randomly draw the order of finalists, who in turn, each selected a CD. Only one CD played a congratulatory message signifying the winner of the truck and the cue for the alliance’s medical director, Dr. Marsha Bertholf, to hand over the keys to start the engine.
“Congratulations to our winner, Jerry Figueroa, a regular donor who in fact, donated blood just the week before,” she said. “… We saw more than 41,000 donors during the five-month promotion, and shortages were avoided during critical holiday periods.”
The Blood Alliance provides blood to more than 30 hospitals and medical facilities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. It is a member of America’s Blood Centers, a national network of independent community blood centers responsible for nearly half of the nation’s blood supply. The alliance has been enriching lives since 1942.
For more information, visit igiveblood.com.
We Care Jacksonville names new executive director
We Care Jacksonville has selected Bob Bryan as its new executive director.
Bryan has more than 20 years of executive and nonprofit management experience. He was the executive director of the Dignity U Wear Foundation and the chapter president of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
“I’m really looking forward to working with all the generous health care professionals who serve Jacksonville’s uninsured through the work of We Care,” said Bryan.
We Care has also appointed new officers for 2014-15: President, Kathy Harris; vice president, Michael Korn; medical director, Dr. Tra’Chella Johnson Foy; treasurer, John Giehrl; secretary, Darrin Finley; and at-large, Dr. Sue Nussbaum.
We Care is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation designed to improve health care access by developing and coordinating a community-wide network that provides care for the uninsured and under-insured.
To learn more about We Care, visit wecarejacksonville.org
Auction to benefit children’s hospitals
Retrorama Collectibles will host from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday the Retr-O-Rama Vintage Pop Culture Collectibles Show at the Ramada Conference Center in Mandarin.
A portion of the proceeds will go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville.
The auction will begin at 2 p.m. with preview and registration starting at 1 p.m.
Retrorama shows feature dealers showcasing merchandise from toys and games to movie posters and clothing.
General admission is $10 per adult and $2 per child 12 or younger. Each paid adult admission includes one free child admission.
Patrons can save $2 on general admission tickets when purchasing online at jaxretrorama.com and entering discount code PHANTASMCON.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of
children by raising funds for children’s hospitals across North America.
For more information about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia, visit cmnjax.com.
Caregiver exposition April 26 at UNF
More than 66 million Americans provide unpaid care to ill or disabled adults today, a number expected to swell beyond 80 million by 2020.
Recognizing the role Northeast Florida family caregivers play, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and the Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida invite them to Caregiver Expo 2014.
The third annual day of celebration and pampering for caregivers will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 26 at the University of North Florida’s Herbert University Center.
Caregiver Expo attendees will have available free health screenings, a variety of community exhibitors offering products and services tailored to their needs, complimentary on-site respite care, and presentations from three nationally recognized caregiving experts.
Caregiving Club CEO and author Sherri Snelling will give the keynote presentation, “7 Ways to Caregiver Wellness,” at noon. Snelling is founder of the Caregiving Club, which helps caregivers balance self-care with caring for a loved one. She is the author of “A Cast of Caregivers: Celebrity Stories to Help You Prepare to Care.”
The opening speaker at 10 a.m. will be Leisa R. Easom, executive director of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving and Pope Eminent Scholar at Georgia Southwestern State University. Certified in gerontology, Easom focuses her program of research on caregivers, end-of-life issues, aging and health promotion in rural areas.
At 2 p.m., AARP’s Home & Family Expert, Amy Goyer, will share her expertise on caregiving, grandparenting, parenting and family issues.
She is the author of “Juggling Work and Caregiving” and “Things to Do Now That You’re a Grandparent.” She is the primary caregiver for her father, who has Alzheimer’s disease and lives with her in Phoenix, Ariz.
Brooks Home Care Advantage will provide on-site short-term respite care. Call (904) 345-8443 to register.
Caregiver Expo 2014 is made possible through the support of Florida Blue, Brooks Rehabilitation and Taylor Residences, WJCT Public Broadcasting and other sponsors.
Learn more at CommunityHospice.com.
Golf tournament for cancer research
The Florida Pancreas Cancer Coalition Inc. will present on March 28 the inaugural Culhane’s Celtic Open, a golf tournament benefiting pancreatic cancer research.
Culhane’s Irish Pub is the event’s title sponsor in conjunction with the Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival which is serving as event partner with the coalition.
The tournament will be played at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club.
There will be four-person teams and participants may register as a foursome for $320 or individually for $80.
Included will be 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch at the turn and a meal following the tournament at Culhane’s Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach.
Prizes will be awarded including a grand hole-in-one prize of a new automobile.
To register, visit flpcc.org.
Congenital Heart Walk April 5
The second annual Congenital Heart Walk-Jacksonville is a joint effort between the Adult Congenital Heart Association and the Children’s Heart Foundation.
The national Congenital Heart Walk was created to honor and remember the millions who have been impacted by congenital heart disease.
The Congenital Heart Walk raises awareness and funds research, education and advocacy programs for the congenital heart disease community.
This year, Congenital Heart Walks will take place in nearly 30 communities across the country, including on April 5 in Jacksonville.
Registration is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the University of North Florida Arena Plaza.
For more information, visit congenitalheartwalk.org.
Nonprofit Center awards Feb. 12
The Nonprofit Center will announce its Local Focus, Lasting Impact Collaboration and Innovation Awards winners from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Feb 12 at Friday Musicale, 645 Oak St.
The awards honor nonprofits that work to make the community better.
For more information, contact Jessica Fields at [email protected] or call (904) 390-3222.