The Daily Record invites the local nonprofit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and other information they believe would be of interest to our readers. Email to: [email protected].
Toast to the Animals raises $130,000
More than $130,000 was raised during the annual Jacksonville Humane Society’s Homecoming Toast to the Animals. Vendors from some of Jacksonville’s top restaurants donated culinary delights and libations for attendees to taste. The money is for the Humane Society’s medical fund. The night was also a celebration of the fact that Jacksonville has maintained no-kill status citywide for the past 12 months, making it the largest city in the United States to do so. From left, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley; Ann Korczyk, associate executive director of the Humane Society; Amy Pierce, development director of the Humane Society; Michael Munz, Humane Society board president; Joelle Caldwell and Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell, event chairs; Denise Deisler, executive director of the Humane Society; and Jaguars owner Shad Khan. The event was presented by North Florida Sales, Petco Foundation, Affiliated Veterinary Specialists and the Jaguars.
HabiJax promotes 3 managers
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (HabiJax) promoted three management team members.
Angela Leatherbury was promoted to chief administrative officer, Roger Cortie is chief operating officer and Brenda Thomas has been named vice president of resource development.
“Angela, Roger and Brenda are valued members of the HabiJax team and each brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to our organization,” said HabiJax President and CEO Mary Kay O’Rourke.
Leatherbury joined HabiJax in 2002, first as an AmeriCorps Service member and then joining the staff in 2003. She has degrees in English and sociology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
Cortie joined HabiJax in 2003, most recently serving as vice president of construction and real estate. He previously served as senior builder and director of construction. Before joining HabiJax, Cortie held supervisory positions with national homebuilding companies after serving in the Navy.
Thomas joined HabiJax in 2013 as development director. Before joining HabiJax, Thomas managed homebuilder associations in Bradenton, Boynton Beach and Naples. She previously worked in the mortgage industry for SunTrust Bank and Bank of America. Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.
Salvation Army seeking holiday applications
Christmas is still more than two months away, but The Salvation Army in Duval County will soon be accepting applications from those requesting assistance during the holiday season.
Applications will be accepted at The Salvation Army’s Social Services Building, at 900 W. Adams St., 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday from Oct. 1-31.
Thanksgiving assistance includes groceries typical for a Thanksgiving meal based on size of family.
Christmas assistance includes a toy or gift, a new outfit, and a stocking for children of qualified families participating in the Angel Tree program up to 12 years of age.
Nearly 35 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the array of social services from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 84 cents of every dollar raised is used to support services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For information, visit salvationarmynefl.org.
‘We Heart a Great Fit’ Saturday at Nordstrom
From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, shoppers can find the perfect lingerie with the expert help of certified bra fit specialists and help raise funds for a local nonprofit by visiting the new Nordstrom at St. Johns Town Center.
For every bra purchased from a participating brand during “We Heart a Great Fit,” $2 will go to the Donna Foundation, supporting Northeast Florida women with breast cancer. Nordstrom and the participating brands will make a minimum donation of $5,000.
To book an appointment, call (866) 792-6167 or email [email protected].
‘Blessings in a Backpack’ with the Furyks
The U.S. Conference of Mayors approved a resolution at its 82nd annual meeting declaring Sept. 18 “Blessings in a Backpack Day” for mayors across the country to participate in packing bags full of food for children in their communities who need it most.
Through their foundation, 16-time PGA Tour winner Jim Furyk and his wife, Tabitha, supported the Blessings program at John Love Elementary School, feeding 234 children. They also filled backpacks along with Cedric Cruse, from Mayor Alvin Brown’s administration.
Blessings in a Backpack is a nonprofit organization that provides food for more than 65,000 elementary school children in 45 states on weekends during the school year, filling a significant hunger gap for the children.
“It is incredibly inspiring and encouraging to see leaders from cities small and large across the nation come together and take a stand for kids,” said Brooke Wiseman, CEO of Blessings in a Backpack. “Through this initiative, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is providing the opportunity for hundreds of communities to help feed and nourish the minds of America’s future.”
For more information on Blessings in a Backpack, visit blessingsinabackpack.org.
Florida Blue Foundation fighting childhood obesity
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and since 2010, when it was established by presidential and congressional proclamations, millions of Americans have joined the effort to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic.
The epidemic is a serious and widespread threat for children, families, communities and the health care system.
It increases the chances of youth developing high blood pressure, heart disease and other chronic diseases, and threatens their success in the classroom and for the future.
Nearly 250,000 children and families in six targeted communities, many with limited financial resources, have taken part in programs and activities that encourage healthy food choices and physical activities.
“It is wonderful to see community groups working together to make it easier for children and families to live healthier,” said Susan Towler, vice president of the Florida Blue Foundation. “Even more remarkable is the creative way communities are removing the very real barriers that stand between children and their access to nutritious food and safe physical environments.”
‘Coming Out Day’ Oct. 10 at UNF
The Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network will host its annual “Coming Out Day Breakfast,” a fundraising event that attracts corporate LGBT affinity groups and supporters.
The event is 7:30 a.m. Oct. 10 at the Herbert Center at the University of North Florida. Audrey Moran will deliver the keynote address.
The event will celebrate the agency’s 20 years of serving the LGBT youth of Jacksonville and the entire community, said JASMYN Executive Director Cindy Watson. She said the breakfast will track the group’s milestones.
“JASMYN and the entire Northeast Florida region have made a tremendous amount of progress during that time. And while we are all aware that we still have a long way to go, our future, and the future for our JASMYN youth and the LGBT community has never looked brighter,” Watson said.
JASMYN will acknowledge its supporters from the business and nonprofit communities. Its highest honor, the Diamond Award, will be presented to Jacksonville philanthropist Jeff Chartrand. The award is given periodically to a member of the community who has shown extraordinary leadership in LGBT advocacy and support for JASMYN and the community.
Chartrand has supported LGBT students, JASMYN and most recently helped to establish the LGBT Community Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.
Past recipients include Delores Barr Weaver, John Delaney and Frieda Saraga.
Once again, this year’s Top Leaders in Diversity Sponsors are Wells Fargo and Citi.
Additional sponsorships are available and both individual and table tickets are on sale. Tickets may be purchased online at http://bit.ly/1AB0wUL. For questions about sponsorships, call (904) 389-3857, ext. 205.
The Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network is a nonprofit youth center and advocacy organization providing support, leadership development, risk reduction, social opportunities and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in Northeast Florida. For more information, visit jasmyn.org.
Golf for Fire Fighter Charities Nov. 10
Mike and Marguerite Mumford, owners of Paul Davis Restoration of North Florida, will sponsor the 2014 Fire Fighter Charities Golf Outing on Nov. 10 at Deercreek Golf and Country Club.
The fundraising event starts with check-in at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start at noon along with lunch and an awards dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Cost per person is $75 and foursomes are welcome at $220. Contests will include the longest drive, longest putt, closest to the pin and more. Contest and hole sponsorships are still available. The tax deductible contributions go to the Jacksonville Fire Fighter Charities.
To become a sponsor or for more information, contact Mike Lynch at (904) 483-8679, email [email protected].
The event will support the nonprofit organization, which helps individuals and families with programs and services in Duval County.
The Jacksonville Fire Fighter Charities is the charitable division of the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters Local 122 and works in conjunction with the parent organization, the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Champions for Justice awards dinner moving to Potter’s House
The 2014 Champions for Justice awards dinner to benefit the Justice Coalition will be Nov. 6 at a new location — The Potter’s House, 5119 Normandy Blvd.
Awards will be presented to Extraordinary Heroes who have gone above and beyond to help innocent victims of violent crime.
Sheriffs from around Northeast Florida will name honorees in their counties to receive a Sheriff’s Choice Extraordinary Citizen Award. Firehouse Subs is the presenting sponsor of this event.
The dinner, originally known as the Ted Hires Legacy Dinner, was established in 2009 by the Justice Coalition and community leaders to recognize those who work for victims’ rights, crime prevention and crime fighting.
The event helps the Justice Coalition raise funds for its mission of assisting innocent victims and their families in Northeast Florida.
For more information, visit justicecoalition.org.