“NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD: INDEED, IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS.” — MARGARET MEAD
Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association members have a history of generously contributing to many charitable groups in the Northeast Florida area through financial contributions. In the past decade alone JWGA has raised nearly $70,000 for worthy charities across our area.
Over the years these funds have supported local cancer events,The Wounded Warriors, Birdies for the Brave, The Hubbard House, The Florida State Women’s Golf Association’s Scholarship Fund, and, through volunteerism, for Greater Jacksonville Open, The TPC Players Championship and the First Tee of North Florida.
In 2015, a decision was made to rotate four NE Florida counties. Each year the JWGA members from that county select the charity for a given year. All charities are tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organizations. The four counties are: St. John’s, Nassau, Clay and Duval and rotation is in that order. Below is a list of those charities.
2024-2025 On Course Foundation
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This year JWGA is proud to announce the selection of the “On Course Foundation” as its charity endeavor of the year.
On Course Foundation has received the highest of ratings each year for their charitable endeavors. Just over 90 cents of every dollar raised is pushed back to support their members. For JWGA, the monies raised will be utilized to support On Course Foundation members in the Nassau, Duval and St John’s county area. On Course Foundation is focused on bringing wounded, ill and injured Veterans together through the game of golf. Motivated by the more than three million sick and injured veterans in America, the Foundation is active in 15 different markets across the country. They offer golf clinics throughout the US, from 1-7 days, that allow Veterans to come together to learn and improve, their game, and to spend time with others who have served. Golf has successfully helped these veterans to overcome the challenges of transitioning from a life of service, with both catastrophic and hidden injuries, such as PTSD and TBI. On Course Foundation is also focused on assisting its members who want to gain employment in the golf industry. To provide you with the best understanding of the critical role this organization provides, let us share the words of JWGA’s own Shauna Snyder “For me, I joined On Course Foundation just prior to my retirement, and was provided an opportunity for an internship to serve as the Military Liaison and Employment Manager, that led to employment by On Course Foundation. For the past 2 + years I have worked with hundreds of members of On Course Foundation, assisting them to gain employment in the golf industry. We have members who have become PGA teaching professionals, superintendents, club repair/builders for Callaway and Taylor Made, caddies and many other positions across the spectrum of the golf industry. This past year, an average of 2-3 Veterans have gained employment each month. To some this number may seem small, but with each job secured, we are helping the Veteran and their family to gain security and confidence as a contributing member of society. This is by far the most rewarding part of what I do with the organization. “ On Course Foundation also hosts its annual Simpson Cup tournament, between 13 US and 13 UK Service members, alternating between venues in the US and UK. This event is the flagship fundraising effort for the organization and showcases the talents of many of the On Course Foundation members. Most notable from the US side is Nick Kimmel, a wounded US Marine. Nick is a triple amputee, with an amazing gift for the game and who proudly plays to a near single digit handicap with only one arm. Nick’s story, along with the stories of each and every member are incredible, showing the resilience and determination, as well as focus towards a better future.
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2023-2024 Wildflower Healthcare
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Wildflower Healthcare is the leading non-profit provider of free medical and dental services to under served, uninsured adults in St. Johns County. We ensure access to quality, compassionate healthcare that improves the lives of the people we serve. Last year, Wildflower provided services to 5,381 residents in the St. Johns County community.Their history…In 1995, Good Samaritan Healthcare (GSHC) began providing free dental and medical services to underserved, uninsured residents through medical clinics held at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church and dental clinics held at St. Johns County Health Department. In conjunction with New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry in West Augustine and the St. Johns County Health Department, GSHC created the Wildflower Project in 2007. In response to the community’s need for adult dental care, GSHC partnered with Anastasia Baptist Church and the Emergency Services Homeless Coalition to hold a five-day, mobile dental clinic for underserved, uninsured residents in 2007.
The GSHC Board of Directors initiated a capital campaign to raise funds to build a permanent facility for dental and medical services. New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry donated land on Herbert Street for the Wildflower Clinic. The community response was tremendous. Thanks to generous donors the clinic opened debt-free and began patient care in January 2010. Then, in 2018, the GSHC board rebranded the Wildflower Clinic as Wildflower Healthcare to reflect the scope of services offered beyond a single clinic location and to highlight our greater community impact. JWGA is proud to support the efforts of Wildflower Healthcare. |
2022-2023 The Hubbard House
The Hubbard House serves Duval and Baker Counties. Hubbard House is a full-service certified domestic violence center that has answered more than 108,750 hotline calls and sheltered more than 47,000 survivors and their children in its life-saving and life-changing 45-year history. Each year, Hubbard House serves up to 5,000 domestic violence victims – adults and children – and receives generous support from the community.
The victims and children who come to shelter are provided with warm beds, hot meals and personal amenities. Counseling and group support are made available to every sheltered family member, both adults and their children. Victims also receive services from a victim advocate who helps them to avail themselves of public resources and housing assistance. Services from a court advocate and job coach are also available. Shelter and services are always free to victims, and the goals are always the same: victim safety and empowerment.
2021-2022 The Way Free Medical Clinic
The Way Free Medical Clinic’s provides 100% free medical care for the uninsured, low-income residents of Clay Country. Their mission is to improve the overall health of Clay County by providing residents with a staff of dedicated community minded professionals and volunteers who together make a difference.
Their efforts provide accessible, affordable healthcare for thousands of Clay County residents through a coordinated system and network providers. The Way is funded 100% by donations and provides primary care, well woman and prenatal care, diabetes care and through its partnerships helps those with vision and hearing conditions.
2020-2021 Nassau County Humane Society
Nassau County Humane Society serves Northeast Florida and beyond from their rescue facility based in Fernandina Beach. NHS 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.
NHS supports pet adoption, animal-assisted therapy and pet care education. NHS’s outreach spay and neuter program along with it’s socialization and medical care, including heart worm treatment, provides the ultimate care for their rescues until they find their forever homes.NHS also provides animal-control services for the City of Fernandina Beach.
2019-2020 Pie In The Sky
Pie In The Sky is a charity organization dedicated to fighting senior hunger in St. Johns County. Their mission is to connect people with resources and facilitate long term solutions to problems of the elderly, the poor, the historically underserved, and the disenfranchised people of the community.
They do so by delivering fresh produce and spending time with seniors in St. Johns County who are in need. Pie In The Sky’s volunteers provide much needed services to seniors that make a difference in their lives. Pie in the Sky’s Senior Program delivers to hundreds of seniors. At any given time there are seniors on their wait list many between 80 to 98 years old. Pie In The Sky provides the freshest, best produce available at affordable prices.
2018 – 2019 The Mission House
The Mission House empowers 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.
Mission House addresses basic needs through their meal, shower, case management, and medical programs through the Mission House Clinic. In 2021 the Mission House team assisted 94 men and women into permanent housing locations.
2017-2018 Challenge Enterprises
Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, Inc. was established in Clay County, Florida in October serves persons with disability in the entire First Coast areas. Their goal is to promote the “Power of People and Possibilities” for individuals living with disabilities. Their efforts help these individuals be able to provide for themselves to the extent that they are able, and to lead useful and productive lives.
The programs support individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. The staff assists families in navigating Florida’s eligibility for services. The Green Cove Springs headquarters includes a secure shredding facility and lawn maintenance facility. The Training center offers programs to develop life, computer, cooking and gardening skills for job applications and to strengthen literacy and math skills.
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 their Senior Life Centers where vital programs and services and compassionate care are provided to the elderly. Each program is designed to improve the health, independence and economic security of area seniors and their families.
Nassau County seniors fall into five major service categories: Meals on Wheels (for Seniors and their pets), Home Health Services, Nassau TRANSIT and Adult Day HealthCare. COA also operates two Senior Life Centers: The East Nassau Center in Fernandina Beach and the West Nassau Center in Hilliard.
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.
When a local golf professional from NAS knew of a wounded vet who played golf and had a dog provided by K9s For Warriors, JWGA invited him to speak at the Annual Burnside Tournament. Learning what amount it would take for JWGA 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 pick a name for this beautiful yellow Labrador Retriever. Burnside was the name 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.
