As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this feature that each week reports the efforts of local nonprofit organizations and the individuals and businesses that support them.
Bailey Publishing & Communications invites all members of the local nonprofit community to email news, announcements and success stories to: [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
Credit union awards sanctuary $1,000 grant
Tiger cubs and local children will reap the benefits of a grant awarded as part of Community First Credit Union’s “Investing in You” contest.
The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, a nonprofit agency dedicated to big cat rescue, won a $1,000 grant from Community First Credit Union to fund a new cabin and platforms for its five tiger cubs. Catty Shack Ranch is the second of six winners to receive $1,000 through this summer’s community improvement contest.
The mission of Catty Shack Ranch is to provide a safe environment to many of the great cat species that are endangered or threatened due to loss of natural habitat.
Catty Shack Ranch educates the community about big cats through its educational school tours. The sanctuary is also open on selected weekends to the public.
“Catty Shack Ranch has a long-standing presence in the community and impressive dedication to big cat rescue and education,” said John Hirabayashi, CEO of Community First Credit Union.
Opportunities remain for four more winners to be awarded grants through the Investing in You campaign. The initiative, launched in April, invites anyone with an idea to make North Florida a better place to participate. Entries can be submitted through Community First’s Facebook page.
Vote on the next winner or contribute ideas at Investinginyoucontest.com.
Bikers ride for diabetes research and programs
“Bikers Tracking a Cure for Diabetes” is a motorcycle ride that is scheduled to venture over five of Jacksonville’s bridges Saturday morning and hopes to generate significant revenue for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation North Florida Chapter’s outreach programs and research initiatives.
The police-escorted ride, hosted by Balfour Beatty Rail Inc., a rail infrastructure contractor company specializing in construction and maintenance services for public and private railroad markets, will start and finish at Adamec Harley Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Road.
The route includes a ride along I-95, over the Fuller Warren, Acosta, Hart, Main Street and Dames Point bridges. The cost for a rider is $25 and a passenger is an additional $15. Following the ride, there will be live music, food, drinks, a silent auction and prizes. Bikers will depart at 10:30 a.m. and return around noon. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.
Following the event, Balfour Beatty Rail Inc. is projecting to have generated $25,000 for JDRF in 2012 through corporate support, various fundraising events and employee initiatives.
“JDRF North Florida is thrilled to have the support of Balfour Beatty Rail Inc. During these challenging economic times, we have become increasingly creative in how to generate funds,” said Brooks Biagini, executive director, JDRF North Florida.
Saturday’s motorcycle ride of the bridges is open to the public. To participate, register at jdrfevents.donordrive.com/event/bikerstrackingacureforjdrf or contact Cheryl Smith at [email protected]. Riders may also register the day of the event at Adamec Harley Davidson.