Here’s a look at some of the area nonprofits that are seeking help this holiday season (and beyond).
Daniel Kids: Established in 1884, the Jacksonville-based nonprofit is Florida’s oldest child-service agency, offering abused and emotionally troubled children refuge and counseling, connecting kids with foster and adoptive homes and helping homeless teenagers find housing and jobs and more. The organization can use volunteers to serve as mentors or to organize fundraisers and other special events. Monetary donations are also accepted to help provide for residential services, foster care, delinquency intervention and more. Upcoming events in 2018 are: The Annual Golf Classic on March 19, 2018 and the 8th Backyard BBQ Championships on April 14, 2018. For more information on how you can help, go to www.danielkids.org.
Mission House: The Jacksonville Beach-based nonprofit provides food, clothing, medical care and support services with an avenue to self-sufficiency for the homeless in the Beaches community. Those interested can help the organization through monetary donations, or by donating clothing and supplies. The Mission House also seeks volunteers to assist with its daily operations. For more information on how you can help, go to www.missionhousejax.org.
Betty Griffin Center: The nonprofit offers protection and services for victims of domestic violence and their minor children and/or victims of sexual assault and their families in St. Johns County. You can help by donating items or purchasing items from the center’s two thrift shops, located in Anastasia Island and Julington Square, or by making monetary donations that will support the operation of a shelter, counseling and transitional support. For more information on how you can help, go to www.bettygriffinhouse.org.
Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue: The St. Augustine-based nonprofit supports the adoption, spay and neuter and responsible care of animals through education, outreach, adoption and fostering programs. Ayla’s Acres also maintains a 45-acre sanctuary where “unadoptable” animals may live out their lives with peace, love and dignity. The nonprofit relies on private donations of money, supplies and items that are sold through Ayla’s Acres’ Thrift Shop. For more information on how you can help, go to http://www.aylasacres.org.
S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue: The goal of S.A.F.E., with two locations in St. Augustine, is saving adoptable dogs and cats from euthanasia in Northeast Florida. You can help S.A.F.E. save animals’ lives through adoption or fostering an animal from the program. S.A.F.E. also seeks volunteers to help with fundraisers and adoption events, as well as monetary donations to help pay for necessary medical treatment, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, along with food and supplies. For more information on how you can help, go to www.safe-pet-rescue-fl.com.
MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation: The Jacksonville-based nonprofit promotes academic achievement and positive life skills for Jacksonville youth through tennis. The organization can use volunteers for its mentor program, as well as assisting with fundraisers and other events. Donations of tennis balls, tennis racquets, school supplies and education software are also needed. Monetary donations are also accepted, and can be designated for a specific program or scholarship. For more information on how you can help, go to malwashington.com.
K9s for Warriors: The Ponte Vedra-based nonprofit provides service canines to veterans and servicemembers suffering from post-traumatic stress disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post-9/11. The organization depends on contributions, fundraisers and volunteer support. Monetary donations can be made to assist the organization in rescuing dogs and preparing them for the warrior. You can also help by fostering a dog, sponsoring a service canine, hosting a community event or assisting with fundraisers. For more information, go to www.k9sforwarriors.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Johns County: The nonprofit aims to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships through mentoring. The organization seeks volunteers to act as mentors through its community-based mentoring or site-based mentoring programs, as well as monetary donations to help support making matches of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, including background checks, recruiting and providing social activities. For more information on how you can help, go to www.bbbsstjohns.org.
Girl Scouts of Gateway Council: The organization serves approximately 13,000 girls in grades K-12 and adults in Northeast/Central Florida. The service area includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee and Union counties. Girl Scouts of Gateway Council provides a wide variety of opportunities for girls of all ages, for outdoor activities, camping, group activities and a host of other types. The organization seeks volunteers to help mentor girls in the community and to assist with events and activities. A monetary donation can also be made to help fund programs and provide memberships. For more information, go to www.girlscouts-gateway.org.
