Uptown Civitan on Tuesday added more than $13,000 to its philanthropic giving to support community service organizations during the past 32 years.
Each year the all-women civic club selects recipients based on the applicants’ service benefiting women, children and developmentally disabled residents, said Mary Jo Marjenhoff, chair of the Philanthropic Committee.
Since it was chartered in 1983, club members have contributed more than $500,000 for services, equipment and financial support to local agencies and nonprofit. They also have donated thousands of volunteer hours.
“When you give away money, it’s always fun,” said Wynester Sherrer, club president for 2014-15.
Angelwood received $3,400 to buy automated defibrillators for the nonprofit’s group homes for developmentally disabled residents.
A $2,000 award was presented to North Florida School of Special Education to help build an outdoor classroom.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Chief of Investigations Tom Hackney accepted an $1,875 award that will be used to fund the processing of untested sexual assault kits.
“This gift will give justice to people who have not had justice,” he said.
Volunteers at WJCT’s Radio Reading Service read local newspapers for broadcasts that are received by about 900 people in Northeast Florida who are blind or have a disability that prevents them from reading for themselves. The service was awarded $1,500 to purchase radios that receive the broadcasts.
The Clothing Center at Downtown Ecumenical Services received $1,300 that will be used to purchase new socks and underwear for children.
The Clara White Mission’s White Harvest Farm was awarded $1,300 that will be used to support nutrition and wellness education programs, said Clara White CEO Ju’Coby Pittman.
The Arc Jacksonville will purchase a wheelchair scale for a group home through its $800 award.
The club also contributed $1,000 to the Civitan International Research Center in Birmingham, Ala. to study diseases of aging, brain disorders and elder nutrition.
“We have a group of phenomenal women who have helped change lives for 32 years,” said Sherrer, who called the meeting to order for the last time as the club’s 2014-15 president.
Sherrer, a retired teacher in Duval County Public Schools, presented a slide show recapping her year as president.
“I’ve had the time of my life,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Information about the club’s community service work and membership is available at its new website, uptowncivitanjacksonville.org.
(904) 356-2466