Gary and Nancy Chartrand to receive ‘Rock of the Community Award’ from Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach

Award to be presented at annual ‘Mineral City’ celebration

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Local philanthropists Gary and Nancy Chartrand will receive the 2018 “Rock of the Community Award” at the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach’s annual “Mineral City” celebration, to be held Saturday, April 7 at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse.

The Ponte Vedra Beach residents will be honored for their contributions to the Greater Jacksonville community.

“Gary and Nancy Chartrand have been tireless champions for so many local causes that improve the quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens,” said Ponte Vedra Beach Rotary Club President-Elect Mark Farrell, the chairman of this year’s “Mineral City” celebration. “Through their long history of servant leadership, they have truly shown themselves to be ‘Rocks of the Community’ and are therefore amply deserving of this honor.”

In 2007, Acosta President Gary Chartrand led a community effort to bring Teach for America to Jacksonville, and later made a personal pledge gift that helped bring the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), which will be one of the beneficiaries of the Rotary Club’s Mineral City celebration. In 2011, Gov. Rick Scott appointed Chartrand to the state Board of Education. He also serves on the board of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, and is an active supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, Catholic Charities, Guardian of Dreams Catholic schools and the Diocese of St. Augustine.

Nancy Chartrand has been driven by her devotion to her Catholic faith, her love of her family, her strong commitment to social justice and her passion for the betterment of the community. She considers her greatest overall career accomplishment to be the formation of her family’s foundation alongside her husband and their two children, Jeffrey and Meredith. The Chartrand Foundation focuses on education, reflecting the Chartrands’ belief that a high-quality education is the most important step individuals can take toward achieving self-expression, personal freedom and financial independence. Over the past five years, The Chartrand Foundation has awarded $15 million in grants for the advancement of the community.

The Mineral City celebration is the signature annual fundraising event for the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach. Proceeds from the event benefit more than two dozen local nonprofit organizations and charities, including the Beaches Dial-a-Ride program, Mission House, BEAM, HEAL, the Council on Aging and more. For tickets or more information, visit www.mineralcitycelebration.com.