Fundraising
Service Auction: Thanks to All!
Kudos to all involved in the Service auction, Donors, Bidders, Staff and Volunteers! Financially speaking, we had the best Service Auction since 2017 yielding $17,255…and still counting! The Donors outdid themselves this year, we had more vacations getaways than I’ve ever seen and several high yielding theme parties, brunches, lunches, dinners, picnics and a tea too. The Florie Adiutori Service Auction Memorial Fund made over $1000 all by itself, what a tribute to her memory! The Matching Funds was the…
Special Collection: UUCJ Foundation
The UUCJ Foundation is a separate non-profit incorporated in the State of Florida. The mission of the Foundation is to advance religious, charitable and educational purposes by the distribution of funds for such purposes. In addition, the endowment fund managed by the Foundation seeks to ensure support, enhancement and the continuation of the religious and charitable activities of UUCJ. Our speaker, long time UUCJ member Lynn Shad, will tell us the story of the Foundation. Your contribution to our special collection will…
Special Collection: St. Johns Riverkeeper
Our Special Collection on Sunday, July 18 will be for the St. Johns Riverkeeper Organization whose vision is a thriving St. Johns River Watershed that sustains healthy ecosystems for future generations. The St. Johns Riverkeeper is a privately funded, independent and trusted voice for the St. Johns River and the public to which it belongs. We are honored to have as our guest speaker, Lisa Rinaman who serves as the St. Johns Riverkeeper. A drop down box is available on the giving page…
UUCJ Last Chance Auction – One Week Only, Ends Sunday June 6, 10pm
Many, many thanks to the Donors, Bidders and Volunteers who wholeheartedly supported our UUCJ Spirit of Life Service Auction; because of you this totally online event was a smashing success! The Fundraising Team has felt great joy in working with you, the members, on this Service Auction Journey and look forward to future, and even better collaborations. Here’s some good news for those of you who didn’t get a chance to support our only fundraiser…the UUCJ Last Chance Auction…now open…
Special Collection: READ USA
Our speaker this Sunday will be Terrence Freeman, newly appointed CEO of READ USA. UUCJ has done a special collection to sponsor a READ USA book fair for the students of Arlington Heights Elementary School for the past 5 years. The book fairs allow each student to choose three new books for summer reading. The book fairs will be conducted in person or virtually this year depending on how the students are attending school. UUCJ is the only faith-based organization…
Capital Campaign Update
The capital campaign, Renewing Our Community, is moving ahead with many gifts coming in from the congregation. We are about half-way toward our goal to be able to complete the project of improving and enlarging the social hall, redesigning the kitchen, adding ADA bathrooms, and a new elevator—as well as creating a deck and gazebo. We’ve sent a capital campaign packet to everyone on UUCJ’s mailing list. If you did not receive the packet, please contact Kathleen McKenzie. She can…
Special Collection: Family Promise
Family Promise of Jacksonville is a nonprofit organization with the goal of helping homeless families return to self-sufficiency by obtaining employment and permanent housing. Our speaker will be Beth Mixson, development director for Family Promise. She will give us some valuable insights into the problem of homelessness in Duval County especially as it has been impacted by the pandemic. She will give us further information explaining the many ways that Family Promise assists homeless families.
Special Collections
Despite the pandemic, the response of our wonderful congregation to our special collections has been amazing. In 2020 UUCJ donated over $10,000 to non-profits that benefit our Jacksonville community. Considering we did not conduct collections for several months, this is a testament to the generosity of this community. This includes: Minister’s Discretionary Fund- $2804; Foster Closet- $616; READ USA- $3100 ( which was matched so we provided a virtual book fair to every student at Arlington Heights Elementary;) Don’t Miss…
Special Collection: Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition
The Healthy Start Coalition leads a cooperative community effort to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of children, childbearing women and their families in Northeast Florida. Our speaker will be Lisa Read- Community Projects Liaison. Lisa will inform us of the work of this life saving organization as well as the many positive changes that have occurred in the past year that allows outreach to more families so that every baby can begin life with a healthy start. Donations…
Your Opinion Needed
We usually start ordering materials for our ‘Guest At Your Table’ campaign in September. We know there will be no coin boxes, pamphlets, and cards, but do we want to keep the chocolate sales? The Fair Exchange chocolates serve two purposes- money raised for the UUSC and money for small farmers. Cyd Reider is willing to deliver bags of chocolates if you order $10 (50 pieces of 55% dark chocolate). Or we can just wait until next year and send donation…