Over the years, JWGA members have generously supported many charitable groups in the Northeast Florida area through cash contributions. In 2015, a decision was made to rotate four NE Florida counties and the JWGA members from that county would select the charity for a given year. The four counties are: St. John’s, Nassau, Clay and Duval and rotation is in that order. See below for more information on these very worthy causes.
2021-2022 – THE WAY FREE MEDICAL CLINIC
100% FREE MEDICAL CARE for uninsured, low-income residents of Clay County, Florida
The Way Free Medical Clinic is a free medical clinic operated by a team of dedicated, community minded volunteers including physicians, nurses and others, supported by a small staff team. The Way Clinic provides thousands of medical treatments each year to uninsured, low-income residents. The clinic operates on 100% donated funds.
2020-2021 – NASSAU COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
Our Mission: Nassau County Humane Society is dedicated to the humane treatment of all animals; to alleviate their suffering and neglect, to support the human-animal bond, and to foster an environment in which people respect all living creatures. We will pursue workable solutions to the most urgent animal welfare needs of our community, which are animal overpopulation and homeless pets. Our solutions will emphasize the mutual benefit of bringing pets and people together. We will provide rescue and control as a lifeline to animals in need and for the necessary protection of our community. We will encourage and provide for pet adoption, animal-assisted therapy, pet care education, outreach spay and neuter program and other welfare efforts, all in support of our comprehensive community service obligation.
NHS serves Northeast Florida and beyond from our adoption and rescue facility in Fernandina Beach, Fl. We have climate-controlled dog kennels, an indoor-outdoor cattery, and outdoor play areas for the dogs. We adopted 1,337 animals in 2019, with a 97.63% save rate. We also provide animal-control services for the City of Fernandina Beach under a contract with the city. On a regular basis as space permits, we bring in rescue animals from other shelters in our general area. We provide them with socialization and medical care, including heartworm treatment, as we seek to find them loving forever homes.
2019-2020 – PIE IN THE SKY Charity dedicated to fighting Senior hunger in St Johns County.
click here
Our Mission: To connect people with resources and facilitate long term solutions to problems that affect the lives of the elderly, the poor, the historically underserved, and the disenfranchised people of our community.
This is what you need to know about Pie in the Sky’s Senior Program:
We deliver to 465 seniors. We have 35 seniors on our waiting list. 15 of the seniors on the waiting list are between 80 and 98 years old. Many others face chronic health issues that could be helped by having healthy food to eat. We work hard to provide the freshest, best produce available at the best price.
We are directly addressing this need in all the ways that make a critical difference, by delivering fresh produce and spending time with these seniors in St. Johns County. This has a direct impact on the health and well-being of the folks we deliver to. Pie in the Sky is a registered 501c-3 organization.
2018-2019 – MISSION HOUSE
Our Mission: To empower individuals affected by homelessness in the Beaches area by providing food, clothing, medical care, and support services with an avenue to self-sufficiency.
Mission House is the only day facility to help meet the needs of the homeless adults at the Beaches through compassion, faith, and programs designed to provide assistance at an individual level. We address basic needs through our meal, shower, case management, and medical programs. Last year the Mission House team assisted 94 men and women into permanent housing locations. This saved the community $400,910 in potential arrest costs. Our clinic helped 220 new patients get well last year. Without Mission House Clinic those patients would have needlessly gone to the emergency room. We saved the community $337,260. Please visit our website to learn more about our services and how you can help.
2017-2018 – CHALLENGE ENTERPRISES OF NORTH FLORIDA
Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 non-profit charitable organization that was established in Clay County, Florida in October 1972. The Mission is to promote the Power of People and Possibilities for individuals living with disabilities. The main headquarters is in Clay County but Challenge Enterprises serves persons with disabilities in the entire First Coast Area. What started as a one room operation is now a multi-dimensional organization employing hundreds of men and women with disabilities by providing training, work opportunities, and housing for those that are TRULY IN NEED.
The Headquarters is located in Green Cove Springs in an industrial park at a large “warehouse” that encompasses a secure document shredding operation (Shred for Good), a commercial grounds maintenance operation (Lawnability), that even cuts grass for a private golf course. The Training center offers adults programs to develop life skills, cooking, gardening, computer skills for job applications and to strengthen literacy and math skills. It’s not all work and no play, many participate in Special Olympics, Wii bowling, The Players and Jaguar events which are fun times for all.
The individuals Challenge Enterprises assists want to be like everyone else, accepted for their strengths and abilities. They all want to work, to provide for themselves to the extent that they are able, and to lead useful and productive lives.
In response to the charitable support from JWGA, Thank You letters were received from participants in the program. To view,
Click Here.
2016-2017 – NASSAU COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING (COA)
The Nassau County Council on Aging’s mission is to improve the lives of older adults with a special focus on those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. This is accomplished at our Senior Life Centers and by providing vital programs and services as well as compassionate care designed to improve the health, independence and economic security of area seniors and their families. Services to Nassau County seniors fall into five major categories: Meals on Wheels (for Seniors and their pets), Home Health Services, NassauTRANSIT and Adult Day HealthCare. We also operate two Senior Life Centers: the East Nassau Center in Fernandina Beach and the West Nassau Center in Hilliard. COA is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization.
The potential value of your contribution: $25 = round trip transportation to dialysis or medical treatments; $70 = a week’s worth of home-delivered meals for two seniors; $150 = laundry, meal preparation or housekeeping service; $500 = a nutritional meal for 50 seniors at the Center; or $1,000 = a month of Adult Day Healthcare vs nursing home placement.
Let’s do our best to be generous to this organization that helps so many senior citizens throughout Nassau County!
2015-2016 – K9’S FOR WARRIORS
K9s For Warriors is dedicated to providing service canines to our warriors suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post 9/11. The goal is to empower these warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and independence. K9s For Warriors is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization.
When a local Pro from NAS knew of a wounded vet who played golf and had a dog provided by K9s For Warriors, we invited him to speak at our Annual Burnside Tournament. We were informed what amount it would take to name a dog, and we took up the challenge. Thanks to the generosity of our members and matching funds, we succeeded and were able to vote on a name for this beautiful yellow Labrador Retriever. Burnside was chosen in loving memory of Mary Burnside, a past member with a history of giving back to this sport so fully.
Burnside graduated with his warrior, James, on August 25, 2016 surrounded by many of our members. They will reside in New Jersey.
