Celebrity chefs step up to support Salvation Army

Celebrity chefs step up to support Salvation Army

The Celebrity Chefs Tasting Luncheon and Silent Auction brought out the best in city leaders, as many familiar faces from news agencies, private enterprise and city government gave their time for the cause. The annual fundraiser for the Women’s Auxiliary, contributions help to create lasting and positive changes in the lives of those in need on Florida’s First Coast.
Over the past 25 years, this event has raised more than $1.4 million dollars, making it the largest fundraiser for the Salvation Army of Northeast Florida.

ECS honors local philanthropists

Local Residents Russell and Joannie Newton received high marks for their support of Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS), one of Florida’s largest nonprofit early education organizations- providing services to more than 27,000 young children in Northeast Florida.
Each year, ECS recognizes those working tirelessly on behalf of the children in Northeast Florida. The Children’s Champion Award Luncheon was created by the Episcopal Children’s Services Foundation in 2005 and since has honored Mayor John Peyton, Delores Barr Weaver, Ed Burr, Pamela Y. Paul, the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund to name a few. The luncheon was held Feb. 21 at the Hyatt downtown.

Jay Fund raises a glass for peace of mind

Regardless of his stature among NFL coaches and the history books, Tom Coughlin continues to do good works for a passion

San Marco Rotary mixes up dirty martinis

San Marco Rotary mixes up dirty martinis

In the ‘spirit’ of raising awareness for the worldwide campaign for safe and clean drinking water for all people, the third annual Dirty Martinis for Clean Water drew a full house. The Rotary Club of San Marco rolled out silent auction items as guests mingled over dirty martinis and business interests at WJCT Studios.
The annual benefit raised funds for the mission interests of “The Highest Club in District 6970”, a claim reflecting the club’s meeting place high above the city at the University Club. The event was held March 18.

Women’s Giving Alliance celebrates 10 years with study, luncheon

Women’s Giving Alliance celebrates 10 years with study, luncheon

Greenscape of Jacksonville volunteers sold trees all morning during the group’s annual Flowering Tree sale — then joined the Late Bloomers

Chris Craft boat inspires student’s derby car

Chris Craft boat inspires student’s derby car

Gunnar
Davidson, a second grader at John Stockton Elementary School, was on a roll
last month with his homemade pinewood derby car. Like many Boy Scouts his age,
Davidson competed in the annual derby races earlier this year as part of troop
activities. Davidson, however, stood out from the pack with his car—a
built-to-scale replica of a wooden Chris-Craft boat. Davidson’s father Michael
and uncle Mark Brundick helped out with the design. Named “Crazy Daisy,” the
car beat about 85 cars to win the Pinewood Derby for his Cub Scout Pack 522 at
Ortega Methodist Church last month. The car also won the prestigious “Best in
Show” category.

Crazy
Daisy later placed third in the Wolves Den for the Great Miccosukee District,
which means a slot in the upcoming state race competition.

Local students excel at engineering competition

More
than 130 Northeast Florida high school students participated in the 10th Annual
Engineering Career Day and competition hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers in late February.

While
the first place award went to a team from Fernandina Beach High School and the
second place award went to a team from Yulee High School, two neighborhood
schools were among the competition’s top performers. Bishop Kenny High
School—whose team included Peter House, Zach McNulty, Michael Barr and Diab
Abdulnour— took third place in the competition. Their faculty advisers were
Vicki Schmitt and Paulette Gonzalez. The Trinity Christian Academy team took fourth
place in the competition. The team included Brent Miles, Bin Jung, Rachaul
Keller and Jordan Kennedy. Faculty adviser for the Trinity Christian team was
Jim Aenis.

The
event’s purpose was to introduce local math- and science-oriented students to
engineering as a potential area of study in college and as a professional
career. The event was a highlight of National Engineers Week activities in
Northeast Florida.

Five
participating universities, 20 architecture and engineering firms, Naval
Facilities Engineering Command and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers professionals
met with students to discuss engineering education and careers.

BK basketball season scores

BK basketball season scores

Seniors
on the Bishop Kenny Crusader’s girls basketball team wrapped up their final
high school season earlier this year with a senior celebration.

The
Crusaders dominated the visiting Ponte Vedra Sharks 69-31. Seven seniors who
have played together for the past four years led the team. The group has been successful
on and off the court. Every year they have also received the Florida High
School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Floyd Lay Sunshine Cup All Sports award for
their outstanding cumulative grade point average and athleticism.
Congratulations, ladies, and may you continue to succeed in college.