About 175 special-needs students attended the “Night to Shine” prom at Christ’s Church Mandarin, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.
The event included limousine rides, red-carpet entrances with paparazzi, hair and makeup stations for girls, shoe shines for boys, a dance floor and professional prom pictures. About 400 volunteers worked on the event.
This is the second year the church has coordinated the prom and the first year it partnered with Tebow’s foundation.
The church will host the prom again next year. For information, visit NightToShineJax.com.
Bank marks first year in town by helping three nonprofits
First Tennessee Bank wrapped up the first year of its expansion into Florida, including opening its first bank in Jacksonville, with donations to three local nonprofits.
In recognition of the bank’s 150th anniversary, the company granted 150 holiday wishes, including to Art with a Heart in Healthcare, the Jacksonville Humane Society and the Sulzbacher Center.
Art with a Heart in Healthcare, a program serving patients and their families at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Nemours Children’s Clinic, received money for 50 art kits for children.
The humane society was given money to buy 50 blankets for the animals at the facility.
Sulzbacher Center received funds to provide for 50 days of comprehensive care for homeless people.
First Tennessee’s Jacksonville branch is at One Enterprise Center, 225 Water St., Suite 1500.
Monahan Jewelers and its customers help Daniel Kids
Monahan Jewelers recently donated $3,180 plus $325 in gift cards to Daniel Kids.
The cash represents a portion of the store’s profits and the gift cards were donated by employees and customers.
Jim Clark, president and CEO of Daniel, said the agency is grateful to have Monahan Jewelers as a longtime partner who has sponsored several fundraising events.
“Grants are harder to come by, yet the demand for our services is up, so private donations are more important than ever,” Clark said.
Store owner Sean Monahan said his father taught him the value and the joy of giving.
“As a local business owner, I feel responsible for supporting the healthy growth and education for children in the Jacksonville community,” he said.
Free pancakes part of drive to help hospitals
Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia IHOP restaurants will offer each guest a free short stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes from 7-10 a.m. March 3 in celebration of National Pancake Day.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the tradition, which raises funds for Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the pediatric programs at UF Health Jacksonville through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
IHOP guests are invited to make voluntary donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to celebrate this “Decade of Giving.”
Through March 3, the restaurants will sell “miracle balloons” for $1 and $5. Guests who purchase $5 miracle balloons will receive a $5 coupon that can be used during their next visit.
Since 2006, IHOP National Pancake Day has raised about $13 million nationwide to provide treatment for child patients, including the 170,000 children treated annually at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the pediatric programs at UF Health Jacksonville.
Local participating restaurants include:
• 7940 103rd St.
• 8400 Baymeadows Road
• 315 Blanding Blvd.
• 9010 Atlantic Blvd.
• 2560 Florida 16, St. Augustine
• 1825 East/West Parkway, Fleming Island
For more information or to make an online donation, visit IHOPPancakeDay.com.
Dinner, silent auction to help No More Homeless Pets
The sixth annual Espeto Brazilian dinner and silent auction to benefit First Coast No More Homeless Pets is tonight at 6 p.m.
Enjoy a night of food and cocktails at Espeto Brazilian Steakhouse’s new beach location at 1396 Beach Blvd.
For information, call (904) 674-0665 or email [email protected].