St. Vincent’s HealthCare received $76,500 from First Coast Energy’s seventh annual Fuel the Bus campaign, a record for the initiative.
The event, held at Daily’s locations throughout Florida, was Feb. 1-March 27.
Donations benefit the St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry.
The effort brings fully staffed doctors-offices-on-wheels to areas of the community where services are needed the most.
It is the only mobile provider of free acute and preventive medical care in Northeast Florida. The program began in 1991 and promotes prevention through health screenings and education.
Since it began, the Daily’s Fuel the Bus campaign and The Tradition golf tournament have raised more than $3 million for the community health ministry.
To learn more about the St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach Ministry, visit jaxhealth.com/MobileHealth.
Hope Haven celebrates anniversary Thursday
Hope Haven will celebrate a milestone in its history at 4 p.m. Thursday — 90 years of helping children and families with special needs.
The family-friendly event is an opportunity to tour the campus at 4600 Beach Blvd., hear from Hope Haven and community speakers and be among the first to see the organization’s new logo.
“You may know us as Hope Haven Children’s Clinic, and before that, as Hope Haven Children’s Hospital. Like any organization, we’ve transformed. Today, we’re Hope Haven,” said CEO Joanne Robertson.
Jon Heymann, CEO of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and one of Hope Haven’s community partners, will preside over the celebration.
Every year, Hope Haven provides 5,000 families with educational and therapeutic services; conducts more than 400 evaluations with an action plan for success; helps about 200 children with special needs gain confidence through therapeutic services; and enrolls 25 students in preschool and kindergarten at The Discovery School at Hope Haven.
The facility was founded in 1926 as a children’s hospital.
Fifth Third seeking food bank deposits
Fifth Third Bank kicked off its annual “Feeding our Communities” food drive Thursday with a goal of collecting enough non-perishable items to provide 53,000 meals throughout Florida, part of the bank’s 1-million-meal pledge for the state.
The food drive will continue through April 29.
In Jacksonville, for the second consecutive year, Fifth Third Bank is partnering with Feeding Northeast Florida in its efforts to feed families in 17 Northeast Florida counties.
Feeding Northeast Florida distributes food to people through a network of more than 180 nonprofit, faith-based and charitable organizations.
The most recent localized survey from the 2014 Hunger in America report shows 38,900 people are served each week by programs supported by Feeding Northeast Florida, and that number grows daily.
Food collection bins are set up at all Fifth Third banking centers in Florida.
Bank employees and customers — as well as local businesses and community residents — are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items, such as canned fruits and meats, rice, boxed cereal and dried beans.
Cash donations will be accepted; every $1 provides seven meals for the community.
To donate, visit a Fifth Third banking center. Visit 53.com to find a location near you.
Annual conference on child abuse is April 20
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, so consider that there were 2,471 reports of child abuse in Duval County from Oct. 2014-September 2015, including reports of neglect, physical and sexual abuse. It is important that those who work with children –– teachers, social workers and coaches –– understand and recognize the warning signs of child abuse.
The Exchange Club Family Center of Northeast Florida will host its 23rd annual child abuse prevention conference 8 a.m.-3 p.m. April 20 at the Jacksonville Marriott on Salisbury Road.
Tickets for the conference and luncheon are $145.
Attendees may go to the luncheon only for $65 or either the morning or afternoon session (no luncheon) for $40.
To register or for more information, visit exchangeclubfamilycenter.com.
Florida is No. 1 for Guardians ad Litem, volunteers still needed
Each year in the 4th Judicial Circuit, more than 600 specially trained and certified volunteer advocates speak on behalf of 1,100 children in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties navigating through the foster care system.
Court proceedings will eventually decide the fate of the children, all of whom are under the supervision of the Department of Children and Families, because their parents would not, or could not, keep them safe.
Florida Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Alan Abramowitz said the state’s court guardian program exceeded its goal of 10,000 volunteers throughout the state.
He made the announcement in recapping the agency’s success during the recently adjourned Florida legislative session.
Although most states have similar programs, Florida’s success in recruiting volunteers sets the record for the nation, Abramowitz said.
He reported a count at the end of February revealed 10,056 citizen volunteers in Florida are trained and certified to work with children.
Most volunteers represent two or more abused children, visiting them at least once a month and advising child welfare judges on options for assuring the child’s best interests.
Anyone age 21 or older can become a volunteer by participating in a local training course and meeting other qualifications.
Even with the program’s success to date, in the 4th Judicial Circuit alone, there are hundreds of children who still need a voice.
To learn more about the program or to become a volunteer, visit galfirstcoast.org or call (904) 255-8440.