Go-Givers: Kevin Kuzel

Go-Givers: Kevin Kuzel

By Julie Kerns Garmendia

 

In 2001 Kevin Kuzel, a former U.S. Navy Pilot who heartily calls himself a diehard Texan, moved to Jacksonville from Dallas. His roots in a Dallas historic district neighborhood meant that Commander Kuzel was immediately drawn to the Avondale Riverside area. The Kuzels are currently in the midst of a two-year restoration of their 1915 home, doing most of the work themselves.

“I met my wife Cindy, an accountant and Jacksonville native, at a chamber of commerce event, the Ham Jam. Cindy is the love of my life. My daughter Julia, 37, resides in West Palm Gardens. She was a nationally ranked gymnast, became an architect and presently is part owner of a yoga studio. She and Cindy have created a line of Yoga accessories,” Kuzel said. “We also have a standard poodle, Holly, who is the real boss of the family.”

Upon his retirement after more than 17 years with the military, Kuzel owned a military electronics business for 16 years. He is currently the executive assistant to Jacksonville City Councilman Jim Love of District 14. Despite his full work schedule, Kuzel is a longtime, active community volunteer who currently helps several local non-profits.

The first charitable organization he will mention when asked is the Developmental Learning Center (DLC) Nurse and Learn located in Murray Hill. Kuzel serves on the DLC Board of Directors and does not hesitate to share his deep commitment to help children with severe disabilities and their families. His primary focus on the board is fundraising and he credits a nurse, Janice Kelly, with introducing him to the non-profit organization and their unique mission.

“When I learned what the DLC is doing through therapy and education for children ages birth to 22 years to make sure they get a firm start in life, I wanted to be a part of that effort. The center offers year-round nursing care and therapies to children with severe disabilities. Their programs can have a profound impact on a disabled child’s overall development and education,” he said.

Kuzel has volunteered with Riverside Avondale Preservation for the past five years, where he has primarily worked with the Riverside Arts Market and the annual Luminaria events held in the historic district each December. Concerned with security issues, he most recently has headed the RAP Public Safety Committee.

He also is on the board and serves as treasurer for St. Paul Catholic Church’s Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul charitable organization, dedicated to assisting the poor and homeless. Kuzel expresses his musical side through singing as a tenor in the church choir.

On the board of the Park & King Area Association for ten years, Kuzel serves as their treasurer. He stays involved with safety and security issues and helps with projects and problems as he described it. A favorite activity is chairing the Halloween event, something he and Jim Love thoroughly enjoy, complete with wearing their own costumes. There is one other routine task in the Park and Kings Streets area he regularly takes on that is much appreciated by local residents, but isn’t exactly in the job description.

“Anyone can see me with Jim Love climbing the ladders to take care of putting up and taking down the holiday and seasonal banners!” he said.

He was also active with the West Riverside Elementary School Advisory Council where he served as chairman for four years. Now taking a year-long sabbatical from that volunteer position, Kuzel would like to return to volunteer work at the neighborhood school at some point in the future.

Cindy is also a volunteer who previously served on the board of Quigley House Shelter, a Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center serving Clay County. In her free time, Cindy assists Kuzel with his many activities and enjoys sewing and embroidery. Cindy, also musical, is a clarinetist who played through high school, college and performed professionally with the First Coast Wind Ensemble.

“We all have an obligation to help people in our community who need whatever we are able to offer. I don’t believe in that concept of ‘giving back’ people talk about. We are all obligated, every single person, to give back whatever our circumstances…there is some way we can each help,” he said.

Kuzel is an avid horseman and enjoys photography in his free time although he admits some frustration with his penchant for taking hundreds of photos to get one great shot. At the top of his list of favorite things is aviation, which he described as the second great love of his life. Although he has committed the next four years to his work with Councilman Jim Love, he said that in the future he might want to return to the aviation field in some capacity.

 

Headline: How can you help?

 

Editor’s note: This month, we continue a new feature at The Resident that we hope inspires residents to be change-makers for community good. “How can you help?” will profile a local nonprofit organization and showcase ways to support it. It is our sincerest hope that by creating awareness of local needs, we can all help generate positive solutions, funds and help for those in our community who deserve it most.

 

Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida

 

Mission: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida (BGCNF) provides a safe, positive place for kids, ages 5-18 to go after school. Our youth development programs empower young people in our community to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. We now serve more than 1,500 young people daily at 14 locations throughout Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.

 

Opportunities to help: For people who enjoy being with kids, volunteers can choose to work with Club members at our Summer Camp, assisting with field trips, outdoor activities and art projects.

 

Volunteers are needed for a variety of upcoming events that support Boys & Girls Clubs fundraising efforts

 

Like to shop online? Visit Boys & Girls Clubs Buy4 page at http://www.buy4.com/bgcnf and donate while you shop at tons of the most popular online retailers. Up to 30% of your purchase will be donated to BGCNF.

 

Or donate a Wish List item! School supplies: paper, pens, pencils, rulers, calculators

Games: Scrabble, Jenga, Checkers, Twister

Art Supplies: Construction paper, crayons, paintbrushes, paint and easels

 

How to raise your hand: Visit www.bgcnf.org and click the “Make a Donation” tab; or call (904)-396-4435

 

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