COMMUNITY NEWS
RIVERSIDE | AVONDALE | ORTEGA | MURRAY HILL FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS LYMAN STARMER WITH BRITTIANY LIGHT
&
inspiring aspiring
THE YOUNG INDEPENDENTS
RESIDENTNEWS.NET
JULY 2023. VOL. 16, ISSUE 07
Summer mode:
D E T A V I T C A
SEE PAGE 26
MEET THE TEAM
Donna Deegan introduces her executive team Mayor Deegan has announced the members of her executive team. The leadership for her administration includes several familiar names and faces from the Jacksonville community. READ MORE ON PAGE 11
Campers Boyd Skinner, Hall Hixon, Walker Lewis, George Pope, Kayde Wilder, Billy Pope and Wiley Wilhelm warmed up their throwing arms for water balloon battles.
PELUSO TALKS TOP PRIORITIES Council Member Jimmy Peluso shares insights on his top priorities and projects he plans to address as the new representative for District 7.
904 All Stars Sports Camp returns for third year Camp goers at the third annual 904 All Stars Sports Camp launched a water balloon fight against their counselors to kick off summer vacation. The “peg the counselor” water balloon hijinks followed several other outdoor activities organized for the 21 campers, ages five to 10, over Memorial Day weekend. Proceeds from the 904 All Stars Sports Camp, founded by Ford Rachels, are donated to a charity. This year, a total of $2,400 will go to Angels to Allison, a local non-profit providing financial assistance to families who have suffered the loss of a child for funeral and other associated related expenses.
READ MORE ON PAGE 8
Immediate Past President Jim Agee passes the gavel to Incoming President Marie Gnage. PHOTO COURTESY OF RENEE PARENTEAU.
PASSING OF THE GAVEL It was a night to remember for the Rotary Club of Jacksonville, the City’s oldest club and Florida’s first Rotary Club, as members and their guests attended the annual President’s Party and Gavel Exchange, June 22, at the Ritz Theatre and Museum in LaVilla. The ceremony marks the passing of the leadership from one club president to another. This year, Jim Agee passed the gavel to Marie Gnage, who will lead the club through the remainder of 2023, and pass her gavel in similar fashion in 2024.
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE PAID STUART, FL PERMIT NO.300
READ MORE ON PAGE 23
Receiving checks from left to right were - Five STAR Veterans Center (Duval, FL); Beaches Habitat for Humanity (Duval, FL); Operation New Uniform, Inc. (Duval, FL); Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (Orange, FL); America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia Network (Chatham, GA); Northeast Florida Women Veterans, Inc. (Duval, FL); United Way of Northeast Florida (Duval, FL); Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry (Alachua, FL); SD Gunner Fund, Inc. (Chatham, GA); and Task Force Hydro 1 (Duval, FL).
VYSTAR HONORS MILITARY DURING FIRST CYCLE OF GRANTMAKING With a rich tradition of military commitment and its founding in 1952 as JAX Navy Federal Credit Union on the base of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, VyStar Credit Union has gone back to its roots to honor military traditions. During its first grant cycle for the newly formed VyStar Foundation, leadership announced a total of $197,092 to 10 community partners and grantees that serve communities across Northeast and Central Florida and Southeast Georgia. The goal: making sure active duty as well as veterans and their families receive the support they deserve. On hand to present checks was VyStar CEO, Brian Wolfburg, alongside Foundation President Patricia McElroy.
SUPERPOWERS ALIGN TO FIGHT POVERTY Everyone possesses the power to help fight poverty, but some are putting in the time to truly impact the future by springing into action. On behalf of Downtown Ecumenical Services Council, or DESC, a recent committee and planning meeting brought Board Chair Pamela Prier, Executive Director David Clark and Honorary Chairs Randy DeFoor and Allison DeFoor together to inspire change. In addition to the social event planned for Sept. 21, several team captains will be raising funds through an online campaign that will help raise the bar for the nonprofit. Proceeds from the event will help the community’s impoverished, homeless and working poor. READ MORE ON PAGE 23
I N H O M E S BY J U LY 5, 2 0 2 3
Protect your pet and save money!
Must have a combination of both heartwom prevention & flea protection For example: Heartworm Prevention + Flea Prevention = $ Off
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK www.ForeverVets.com | 204.2191 580 College Street, Jacksonville
Offers cannot be combined | Valid Through July 31, 2023
Purchase 6 Months and receive $5.00 off Purchase 12 months and receive $10.00 off
This deal works for all preventative care products for dogs and cats!