David Crumpler

| Florida Times-Union

The MBF Champions for Child Safety Pro-am tournament on December 8th in St. Augustine raised $ 300,000 for that Monique Burr Foundation for Children. The Jacksonville-based nonprofit is focused on child protection initiatives and education.

The proceeds will support foundation programs that help better protect children from bullying, cyberbullying, all forms of child abuse, digital threats, human trafficking and exploitation.

“We appreciate the support of our sponsors, participants and honorary chairmen and without them we would not be able to achieve the impact we are making worldwide.” Lynn Layton, President and CEO of the Foundation, said.

“As a result of the pandemic, our programs are more important than ever as children need the education provided by MBF to reveal their safe adults and get help from them,” Layton said.

Here is more good news:

• A record 420 participants in the eighth year Tone for a cause The athletic sand shooting session on December 10th helped raise $ 207,000 for dozen of charities in northeast Florida.

The St. John’s MasterCraft Builder Group presented the event, which was held at the Saltwaters Shooting Club in St. Augustine.

“Year after year, I am overwhelmed by the generosity and willingness to help those in need here at home,” he said Chris Shee, CEO and Founder of the MasterCraft Builder Group. “Clays for a Cause started as a fun end-of-year activity for my co-workers and some trading partners, and has grown into a community-wide event focused on community, camaraderie, and charity.”

Over the past nine years, Clays for a Cause has raised approximately $ 640,000 for charities in the area.

• • Mike Clark, who recently retired as the editorial page editor of The Times-Union, is the winner of this year’s Leadership Award from Northeast Florida Regional Council. The award is given to a leader who exemplifies service to the community and commitment to regionalism. Clark worked “ relentlessly to give unbiased views on the most important issues in our region, “said the council.

Further winners of the Leadership Award are Name of the St. Johns County Workforce Housing Zoning in the affordable housing category; Azalea City Brewing in Palatka adaptive reuse; the Baker County Chamber of Commerce, Economic development; the First Coastal Disaster CouncilResponse to COVID-19, Healthcare / Emergency Preparedness; the Program for the acquisition and management of nature reserves in Nassau County, Environmental responsibility; the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Vision Book, Planning and growth management; the City of Jacksonville Project Save Lives, Public safety; the Floodplain and rainwater management program in Palm Coast resilience; the North Florida traffic planning organization Path forward 2045, Transportation; Category; and the Northeast Florida Long-Term Restoration Organization, Life quality.

In view of the coronavirus pandemic, award winners will be recognized in their individual districts and not at a central event.

The council is an independent regional government agency serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. It supports member countries and cities on issues such as growth management, economic development and emergency preparedness.

“We look forward each year to honoring those in our region who have distinguished themselves through their efforts to improve the quality of life for the citizens of northeast Florida,” he said Beth Payne, the CEO of the Council. “This year’s winners are examples of the outstanding work that is being done in the region. It is an honor for us to celebrate your successes in such a challenging year. “

• • Local 1408 of International Longshoremen’s Association Most recently, nearly $ 30,000 in scholarships were awarded to 18 high school seniors and college students. The association is a union that represents many of the dockers and dockworkers who move cargo at JaxPort’s terminals.

Founding Chairman Charles Spencer started the scholarship fund in 1995 to help other parents pay for their children’s education after his own difficulties. To date, the fund has awarded approximately $ 750,000 in scholarships to over 1,000 high school and university students.

“Many of our recipients are the first in their families to go to college and it’s an honor to be part of their journey,” said Spencer. “In these current economic circumstances, it is now even more important to support the educational goals of our young people. We thank all of our sponsors for their support as we work together to help these deserving young people thrive in college. “

“The scholarship helps cover dormitory costs and saves me from having to take out a loan,” said the recipient Clayton Senior III, A First Coast High School graduate pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Florida International University. “I would like to thank the ILA and everyone involved for putting together the scholarship. It’s a blessing. “

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants were required to have a minimum of 3.0 GPA, complete community service activities, and submit an essay.

• The Fletcher High School Baseball teamwith the help of the newcomer Interact club member Ryanne Smith, “adopted” three families in need for vacation United Route from Northeast Florida. They bought groceries to make grocery baskets, as well as clothes and toys. The students hope that they could make the family holidays a little easier and happier. They encourage everyone to get out this season and help someone in need.

Do you have any good news? You can email The Florida Times-Union, PO Box 1949, Jacksonville, FL 32231, or email [email protected].