Archives
2021
Backpacks for Homeless High School Seniors Enrolling in Higher Education May 2021
Thank you to all who contributed to the Backpack Project. Anti-theft backpacks packed with insulated water bottles, academic calendars and gift cards were delivered May 10th to the St. Johns County School District A.S.S.I.S.T. Program for distribution to the Homeless High School Seniors Enrolling in Higher Education. The backpacks serve as recognition of the students' hard work and accomplishments despite all odds. The backpacks also serve as encouragement as they continue their efforts to fulfill their education goals as they work towards a future of greater opportunities and experiences. Scholarships to help defray college tuition were awarded to two of these students. We extend best wishes to all of these students as they work to improve their futures. Thank you to Michal Israel, District Homeless Liaison, and Mitchell Moody for their continuing assistance and dedication to these students.
Thank you to all who contributed to the Backpack Project. Anti-theft backpacks packed with insulated water bottles, academic calendars and gift cards were delivered May 10th to the St. Johns County School District A.S.S.I.S.T. Program for distribution to the Homeless High School Seniors Enrolling in Higher Education. The backpacks serve as recognition of the students' hard work and accomplishments despite all odds. The backpacks also serve as encouragement as they continue their efforts to fulfill their education goals as they work towards a future of greater opportunities and experiences. Scholarships to help defray college tuition were awarded to two of these students. We extend best wishes to all of these students as they work to improve their futures. Thank you to Michal Israel, District Homeless Liaison, and Mitchell Moody for their continuing assistance and dedication to these students.
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent Needed! Summer 2021
Summer weather brings the challenge of sun burns and biting insects. Homeless individuals living out of their cars, on the streets or in the woods can benefit from donations of sunscreen products and insect repellent. These items can be dropped off at locations such as Home Again St. Johns on SR 210 or St. Francis House in St. Augustine. Monetary donations can also be made on their websites. If you hold a neighborhood drive for these items, please contact president @stjohnscares.org or 904-507-7740 if you would like assistance in picking up and delivering a collection of these items.
Summer weather brings the challenge of sun burns and biting insects. Homeless individuals living out of their cars, on the streets or in the woods can benefit from donations of sunscreen products and insect repellent. These items can be dropped off at locations such as Home Again St. Johns on SR 210 or St. Francis House in St. Augustine. Monetary donations can also be made on their websites. If you hold a neighborhood drive for these items, please contact president @stjohnscares.org or 904-507-7740 if you would like assistance in picking up and delivering a collection of these items.
Alpha-Omega Miracle Home May 2021
Alpha-Omega Miracle Home in St. Augustine helps women of all ages and their children through difficult circumstances. They have a group of apartments where a community of young mothers and other women find healing and make progress towards independence. Currently clothing dryers are needed for two apartments. if you or someone you know has a working dryer to donate, please call 904-823-8588.
5/21/21 update: Thank you to the donor of two used clothes dryers.
Alpha-Omega also needs the following: new or gently used crib mattresses (mattresses only) for crib & toddler bed frames. Also in need of a trundle bed, a dark color leather (wipeable) couch & chair or couch & loveseat and 3-4 tall dressers.
Congratulations to our Graduating Volunteers June 2021
Congratulations to all our volunteers over the years graduating from high school or college this year. We hope that you will continue to experience the joy of volunteering to help others in need. Our best wishes to your futures.
Alpha-Omega Miracle Home in St. Augustine helps women of all ages and their children through difficult circumstances. They have a group of apartments where a community of young mothers and other women find healing and make progress towards independence. Currently clothing dryers are needed for two apartments. if you or someone you know has a working dryer to donate, please call 904-823-8588.
5/21/21 update: Thank you to the donor of two used clothes dryers.
Alpha-Omega also needs the following: new or gently used crib mattresses (mattresses only) for crib & toddler bed frames. Also in need of a trundle bed, a dark color leather (wipeable) couch & chair or couch & loveseat and 3-4 tall dressers.
Congratulations to our Graduating Volunteers June 2021
Congratulations to all our volunteers over the years graduating from high school or college this year. We hope that you will continue to experience the joy of volunteering to help others in need. Our best wishes to your futures.
The Mask Cannot Hide the Smile
August 2021

The mask cannot hide the smile of Malinda Peeples, Executive Director of SEA Community Center in Elkton, as she accepts the recent donation of 50 new backpacks & school supplies for children in the Armstrong, Elkton, Spuds & Hastings area of southwest St. Johns County. The donated items were provided by the Monat Global Gratitude Program to St. Johns CARES, Inc. for needy school children so they may have a good start to the upcoming school year. The goal of the SEA Community Center this year, as in past years, is to provide several hundred children with new backpacks & supplies.
The aim of the Monat Global Gratitude Program is to generate positive change by partnering with organizations in the areas of education, children & families. The Gratitude Program also donated to St. Johns CARES personal hygiene products, insect repellent & sunscreen for distribution through local Homeless organizations & contributed to St. Johns CARES scholarship fund for St. Johns County School District homeless students enrolling in higher education.
The aim of the Monat Global Gratitude Program is to generate positive change by partnering with organizations in the areas of education, children & families. The Gratitude Program also donated to St. Johns CARES personal hygiene products, insect repellent & sunscreen for distribution through local Homeless organizations & contributed to St. Johns CARES scholarship fund for St. Johns County School District homeless students enrolling in higher education.
2021 Food Drive Host Donations Collection Sites: September - November
$18,100 in non-perishable food and paper product donations was distributed to 5 Food Pantries (Christ's Cupboard in Fruit Cove, St. Francis House/Port in the Storm & Pie in the Sky in St. Augustine, SEA Community Center in Elkton & Shepherd's Haven in Hastings). Thank you to our Host Donation Collection Sites for making this year's Drive possible. Individual drive dates vary by location. Please note many of these sites are not open to the general public. Please check with a specific site you are interested in. If you are interested in holding a neighborhood drive at any time, please email president@stjohnscares.org.
Ponte Vedra Beach: Rawlings Elementary School, ATRIUM Surf Side Apts., KinderCare Ponte Vedra, Publix Palm Valley, Primrose School at Crosswater Pkwy, The Learning Experience Nocatee, Spavia, KinderCare Nocatee, A Fun Place to Be
Race Track Rd & Longleaf Pine Area: Kiddie Academy St. Johns, Bartram Academy, Publix Bartram Market, KinderCare Fruit Cove, Deerwood Academy, O2B Kids Durbin Creek, Chappell School Longleaf Pine, Ladybird Academy St. Johns
Fruit Cove: Anytime Fitness, Kid City USA-San Jose, Primrose School Julington Creek, Julington Creek Plantation Recreation Center
CR 210: Earth Fare, Primrose St. Johns Forest
St. Augustine: O2B Kids Palencia, Elkton Academy, Brighton Day Academy, Brandt's Child Care Center, Castle Brook Academy, Enchanted Forest Academy, Rain River Learning, Lighthouse Prep, Ancient City Gymnastics
Individual Neighborhood Drives:
Kim Ness & Family (Julington Lakes) , Lauren Bronich-Hall (St. Johns Forest) , Ethan & Irma Chang
Ponte Vedra Beach: Rawlings Elementary School, ATRIUM Surf Side Apts., KinderCare Ponte Vedra, Publix Palm Valley, Primrose School at Crosswater Pkwy, The Learning Experience Nocatee, Spavia, KinderCare Nocatee, A Fun Place to Be
Race Track Rd & Longleaf Pine Area: Kiddie Academy St. Johns, Bartram Academy, Publix Bartram Market, KinderCare Fruit Cove, Deerwood Academy, O2B Kids Durbin Creek, Chappell School Longleaf Pine, Ladybird Academy St. Johns
Fruit Cove: Anytime Fitness, Kid City USA-San Jose, Primrose School Julington Creek, Julington Creek Plantation Recreation Center
CR 210: Earth Fare, Primrose St. Johns Forest
St. Augustine: O2B Kids Palencia, Elkton Academy, Brighton Day Academy, Brandt's Child Care Center, Castle Brook Academy, Enchanted Forest Academy, Rain River Learning, Lighthouse Prep, Ancient City Gymnastics
Individual Neighborhood Drives:
Kim Ness & Family (Julington Lakes) , Lauren Bronich-Hall (St. Johns Forest) , Ethan & Irma Chang
2021 Turkey Trot November 25th
Thank you to the sponsors and volunteers for making this year's Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Morning in Nocatee such a success. Special Thank You to Psych Ed Connections for holding this annual event and supporting St. Johns CARES.
2021 Annual Giving Tree Initiative November - December
Thank you to the St. Johns County Community, host donation collection sites, individual donors and our volunteers for their generosity and time in making the 15th Annual Giving Tree Initiative so successful. Donations at 58 host donation sites and by individual donors resulted in distribution of $64, 207 in needed items and gift cards to 41 nonprofit organizations serving the Elderly, Veterans, Homeless, Abused, Children and Animals in St. Johns County. For these organizations the donations received will help their clients for many months into 2022.