Be among the first 100 people to register to donate blood at The Monster Jam Blood Drive at the bestbet Orange Park (formerly Orange Park Kennel Club) from noon-5 p.m. Sunday and receive a pair of tickets and a pair of pit passes to the Feb. 22 Monster Jam show at EverBank Field.
Registered donors will be entered in a drawing for a four-pack of Terrace Suite tickets, dinner and a meet-and-greet the drivers.
The Blood Alliance provides blood to more than 30 hospitals and medical facilities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The alliance has been enriching lives since 1942 and is a nonprofit community blood center, licensed by the FDA and accredited by the AABB. For information, visit igiveblood.com.
‘Together We Can’ for Justice Coalition
The 12th annual “Together We Can” Campaign Breakfast presented by the Justice Coalition is scheduled at 6:45 a.m. Feb. 20 at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville.
CSX is the title sponsor of the annual breakfast, which has united the law enforcement community, elected officials, businesses and citizens.
Vic Micolucci, a reporter with WJXT TV-4, will serve as master of ceremonies. State Attorney Angela Corey and sheriffs from North Florida counties are invited to attend.
Teysha Marie Silva-Roman, the 17-year-old daughter of Zuheily Rosada, will be speaking. Rosada was murdered last year at a Mobil Gas Station in Palm Coast.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at the platinum, gold, silver or bronze level. Contact the Justice Coalition at (904) 783-6312 or visit justicecoalition.org for information. Individual tickets are $25 each.
The annual breakfast is a fundraiser for the Justice Coalition to support the mission of assisting innocent victims of violent crimes.
Girls Gone Green screen film
The independent film, “UnSupersize Me,” directed by Zen Fitness owner Carly Asse, will premiere in Jacksonville to kick off The Girls Gone Green Movement, No Meat March.
Proceeds from the screening at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at Latitude 30 will benefit The Girls Gone Green and the campaign to raise awareness for the 31-day meat-free challenge. Asse is donating the use of the film and 10 percent of the proceeds from DVDs sold at the premiere.
In the film, Asse takes the audience along on Tracy Ryan’s journey of transformation. Ryan went from being morbidly obese at 345 pounds to running half-marathons and climbing mountains. The documentary is intended to inspire viewers to free themselves of unhealthy choices by watching Ryan take control of her life through hard work, dedication and a vegan diet.
“I am honored that The Girls Gone Green would use Tracy’s story as a way to highlight how a plant-based diet can be life changing as well as very manageable,” said Asse.
The Girls Gone Green Movement is a Jacksonville-based nonprofit focused on educating the public about animal, health and environmental issues. The nonprofit holds several events throughout the year to increase awareness and encourage the community to embrace a healthier and more humane way of life. No Meat March is an annual event to support people who want to try having a meatless diet for at least one month.
Complimentary vegan snacks, drinks and Latitude 30 gift cards will be available for VIP ticket purchasers. VIP tickets are $20 and general admission tickets are $7.50.
To learn more about No Meat March, visit nomeatmarch.com.
Organizations receive Kiwanis Club donations
The Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville awarded donations this month to five local community organizations.
Each year, the Downtown Kiwanis Club selects Jacksonville organizations to receive funding for the work they do in assisting young people in North Florida.
Checks were presented to Project SOS, Knots4Kids, Learning for Life, DanielsKids and the J.T. Townsend Foundation.
The gifts to the organizations, through the club’s foundation, are derived from the club’s annual golf tournament and a fundraiser.
Produce for Kids brings check to hospital
Publix Super Markets presented to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals on Jan. 28 a check for $10,343.32 at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
The donation came from the annual Produce for Kids Campaign. The monthlong promotional campaign is held each spring in the produce department of participating grocery stores, and all funds raised directly benefit the pediatric programs at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville.
Produce for Kids promotes healthy lifestyles for children by educating kids and parents about the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting worthy children’s causes, such as Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Shoppers support the program by buying fresh produce items from participating sponsors.
Since its creation in 2002, Produce for Kids has raised more than $2.9 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“This is a great partnership and awareness campaign for families in our area. Not only are they (Produce for Kids) promoting healthy eating, but supporting the well-being of our local children” said Kerri Clark, director for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Jacksonville.
Pine Castle receives $10,000 grant from TD Bank
The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, awarded Pine Castle a grant of $10,000 to support The Seth Tenenbaum Opportunity Fund, which benefits people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in need of vocational and life skills training for greater independence.
“As the state reduces service funding for people with developmental disabilities, Pine Castle is striving to address their most pressing needs through the Tenenbaum Fund,” said Pine Castle Executive Director Jon May.
“Pine Castle is doing important work serving adults with disabilities in Jacksonville,” said Cindy Stover, TD Bank Market President in North Florida. “The TD Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that strive to improve the quality of life for the community.”
The foundation also plans to enhance Pine Castle’s education services by providing a financial literacy training component that will help increase the personal independence of program participants.