Raising more than $500,000, the 10th annual Spring for the Arts gala brought in a record amount to support the after-school programs of the Cathedral Arts Project.
The theme for the evening was the same as what students are focusing on this school year: reaching for the stars.
The Guardian of the Arts Award was presented to Susan and Hugh Greene for their efforts to safeguard and advance the arts.
“To have this level of support for arts education speaks volumes about our community and the values we hold dear,” said the Rev. Kimberly Hyatt, executive director of Cathedral Arts Project.
After its founding in 1993 with one dance class for 10 students, Cathedral Arts Project now serves more than 2,100 children through 58 twice-weekly afternoon classes and summer programs. Children are learning classical and rhythmic ballet, jazz, ballroom dance, violin, drumming, chorus, drama, painting, drawing, sculpture and ceramics each year.
Jacksonville Symphony orchestrates food drive
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s annual food drive to benefit Downtown Ecumenical Services Council is underway through April 28. The council is a Jacksonville emergency services agency that provides assistance to the underserved community, particularly families with children and the elderly, sick or disabled.
Donors may bring non-perishable food items to any Jacksonville Symphony concert at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts or from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the box office in the center’s lobby.
The effort is part of Orchestras Feeding America, a national food drive launched in 2009 by the League of American Orchestras. Patrons of more than 250 orchestras have collected nearly 450,000 pounds of food.
Donors will receive a voucher for two half-price tickets for an upcoming Jacksonville symphony concert this season (limit
one voucher per household). Details are available online at
JaxSymphony.org.
‘Decade of Dreams’ March 31
The 10th annual Decade of Dreams Golf & Tennis Classic benefiting The Guardian Catholic Schools is scheduled March 31 at Timuquana Country Club.
The annual event has raised more than $500,000 for St. Pius V and Holy Rosary Catholic Schools. Since 1921, the schools have provided a safe haven for children of low-income families and the opportunity to receive a Catholic education regardless of their financial situation or religious preference.
Honorary chairs are Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford and Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee.
New this year is a Decade of Dreams raffle reception on March 27 at The Haskell Building, 111 Riverside Ave. Tickets are $100 each. The prize is a four-day, three-night trip to Costa Rica.
For more information on sponsorships, raffle tickets or to register a team for golf or tennis, call (904) 765-1920 or visit guardiancatholicschools.org.
Nonprofits compete for Wingard Creative services
Wingard Creative has selected six nonprofit organizations to benefit from the first round of “The Wishing Well,” a pro-bono program that will award $50,000 in creative services this year.
The winning organizations are City Rescue Mission, First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection – The Marion County Children’s Advocacy Center, OneJax, The Seaside Playgarden and St. Johns Riverkeeper.
“We received more than 50 applications for the first round of The Wishing Well, and some applications came from as far away as Ocala and Orlando,” said Christopher Ball, CEO of Wingard Creative.
The recipients will receive awards of various sizes, based on the scope of need stated in their applications. The cumulative total of all awards for the first round is $32,750.
The second round of applications will close June 20. Second-round recipients will be announced Aug. 4.
To learn more, visit wingardcreative.com/wishingwell.
‘Moonlight on the River’ April 3
Moonlight on the River, a “Black Tie and Blue Jeans” gala to benefit North Florida Land Trust, is scheduled April 3 at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
The event includes music, cocktails, dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions to benefit the conservation of natural areas.
Cheryl Cummer and Jack Lyle, who have preserved their family homestead in Mandarin, will be honored at the gala. They are long-term supporters of the land trust.
In 2013, the organization received 500 acres in Duval County along the Nassau River for conservation and is contracting to close on another 680 acres at Big Talbot Island.
For ticket information, call (904) 285-7020.
Foundation offers kidney cancer support
The Judy Nicholson Foundation seeks to reduce pain, suffering and death associated with kidney cancer through increased awareness, promotion of early detection and improvement of treatment.
The foundation’s theme, “Wings of Hope,” honors Nicholson’s battle with cancer and signifies the desire of her associates, friends and family to help patients and families dealing with the disease.
Kidney cancer is one of the top 10 cancers in men and women. Research suggests there is a low level of awareness among the general public regarding the lifestyle factors that increase the risk of developing kidney cancer including smoking, obesity and hypertension.
Support groups are available through the foundation. Visit judynicholsonfoundation.org for more information.
Habijax design wins award from builders
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville received a Laurel Award for Best Architectural Design in the under $100,000 category for its floor plan, The Sommer.
The award was presented by the Northeast Florida Builders Association Sales and Marketing Council and recognizes excellence in marketing, sales and design in the home building industry in Northeast Florida.
The Sommer is one of 12 floor plans available to those interested in purchasing a HabiJax home. Featuring 1,077 square feet of flexible living space and priced from $100,000, the home offers three bedrooms and two-and-one-half bathrooms.
HabiJax has provided homeownership to more than 1,900 families since 1988. Combined with its other homeownership services, including Critical Home Repair, A Brush with Kindness, Weatherization, Rehabilitation and Housing Counseling, HabiJax has served more than 7,500 families.
Square dancers support Dreams Come True
Silver Fox Squares, a square dance club in the Riverside neighborhood, donated $5,067 to Dreams Come True.
Proceeds were raised from the dance group’s Circus Dance in January. More than 100 dancers from 11 clubs in Florida came together at Trinity Lutheran Church to raise money for Dreams Come True.
Since 1996, Silver Fox Squares Dance Club has hosted its Circus Dance in honor of Dreams Come True. The dancers have raised more than $50,000, fulfilling the dreams of nearly 20 children in Northeast Florida.