Wounded Warrior Project recently graduated 14 veterans from the Track education and career development program, based at the organization’s Jacksonville headquarters.
The 12-month program gives wounded former armed forces members a way to meet educational goals while also supporting health and wellness, mental health and educational development.
It is one of 18 programs offered by Wounded Warrior Project focused on engagement, mental and physical health and economic empowerment.
For information, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
Matching grant month for Salvation Army
A board member has offered to match any gift made to The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida up to $20,000 during August.
Summer is a time when The Salvation Army sees more demand for services, particularly in the food pantry, as families feel the pinch without access to free or reduced price school meals.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for members of our community to have their gift to The Salvation Army doubled,” said Maj. Rob Vincent, area commander. “No matter if you want to give $5 or $500, this matching gift allows donors to get more bang for their buck.”
To qualify for the match, gifts must be made by Sept 8. Gifts can be made online at salvationarmynefl.org, by mail to 328 N. Ocean St., Jacksonville, 32202, or by calling (904) 301-4839.
CHIK’N Drop Aug. 15 in San Marco
The North Florida Affiliate of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America is raising awareness of the genetic neurological disease through a community fundraising event, CHIK’N Drop 2015.
It’s scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at The Players Grille in San Marco. All proceeds support the organization’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by the disease and their families.
The North Florida affiliate is asking for support from the community to participate or to volunteer to coordinate the event activities. There will be live music and prize drawings while attendees root for their chicken to “drop its bounty” on their square.
Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure.
Many describe the symptoms of HD as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously.
If you are interested in learning more about the event or volunteering, contact Jeanine Smith at (904) 626-9785 or by e-mailing [email protected].
Tickets can be purchased for $15 at jaxchickendrop.com or at the door the day of the event.
Jacksonville Jaguar Ziggy Hood tackling autism
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Evander “Ziggy” Hood has partnered with the HEAL Foundation to host the inaugural “Tackling Disabilities: A Night with Ziggy Hood Benefiting HEAL.”
The event is 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at The River Club at Wells Fargo Center Downtown. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday at http://tacklingdisabilities.eventbrite.com.
Hood and his wife, Sara, joined the Healing Every Autistic Life board of directors in 2014 after Hood signed with the Jaguars as a free agent. They were inspired to join the organization by their son, Josiah, who is diagnosed with autism.
The event was devised by Hood as a way to engage the community by creating an opportunity to unite area businesses, leaders and the public for a night of fun and fundraising.
Attendees will have the opportunity to test their skills in poker, table tennis and other games against NFL athletes and local celebrities. The evening will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a silent auction. All of the funds raised will be directed back into the Jacksonville community.
Those interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities for the event may contact Rob Wilson at [email protected].
The HEAL Foundation is a local nonprofit serving children and adults and their families living with autism spectrum disorders. For details, visit healautismnow.org.
Kohl’s helps back to school shoppers
Thirty-six K-12 students got to shop for school clothes at Kohl’s in Fleming Island. The young shoppers were paired with a Salvation Army volunteer who helped them select items they can wear when they go back to school.
They took advantage of the 20 percent Kohl’s friends and family discount, which helped them to get the most out of their shopping budget. Children who participated in the shopping spree were from families that could demonstrate a financial need.
The students also received new backpacks and school supplies from The Salvation Army and a bag of books and other literacy-related items from local author Patty Wheeler.
The Blood Alliance merged with OneBlood
Two of Florida’s independent, not-for-profit blood centers, OneBlood Inc., and The Blood Alliance Inc., merged Friday.
The newly formed organization will distribute more than one million blood products annually, serve more than 210 hospitals throughout Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, and employ more than 2,400 people.
“We can no longer rely on the business models of the past to take us where we need to go in the future,” said Dr. Marsha Bertholf, medical director of The Blood Alliance. “Hospitals want larger scale blood centers to serve their multiple locations and the merger will allow us to accommodate their needs and still keep the hometown connection.”
In addition to reducing cost to hospitals and patients, the merger is expected to bring operational efficiencies and stabilize the blood supply, particularly in times of natural disasters such as hurricanes, and enhance donor outreach initiatives.
OneBlood CEO Don Doddridge, who began his blood bank career in Jacksonville, will lead the merged organization and an 11-member board of directors will provide oversight, governance and guidance.
To help debut the new blood bank, each day in August one donor’s name will be randomly drawn to win four free passes to the Museum of Science & History’s Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit.
All donors also will be entered in a drawing for two pairs of suite tickets and parking passes to the Tim McGraw concert Aug. 20 at Veterans Memorial Arena.
Donors must give blood by Aug. 15 at any Blood Alliance donor center or blood drive to qualify.
To make an appointment to donate, visit igiveblood.com, use the free iPhone or Android app at “iDon8” or call (888) 998-2243.