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 Michael 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 Michael 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.
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.
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. Because of your generosity 41 nonprofit organizations in the County serving the Elderly, Veterans, Homeless, Abused, Children and Animals were able to make their clients' holidays and upcoming months more enjoyable.
Over $64,000 of donated items and gift cards were distributed to these nonprofit organizations in December.
Thank you to the donors, host donation collection sites and our volunteers in helping with our Mission of Uniting the Community Through Helping Others in Need.
Over $64,000 of donated items and gift cards were distributed to these nonprofit organizations in December.
Thank you to the donors, host donation collection sites and our volunteers in helping with our Mission of Uniting the Community Through Helping Others in Need.
2022
PET FOOD DRIVE
In March & April pet food, accessories & towels were collected and distributed to six animal non-profit organizations. Three Food Pantries received pet food for their clients with pets so that the owners did not have to share their own limited food supplies. Thank you to the donors, host donation collection sites and our volunteers for making this drive successful and helping animals in St. Johns County.
Esteem Women's Center
On Saturday, April 9th a team of volunteers helped Esteem Women's Center staff more easily meet the needs of their clients by completing organizational tasks in the office and storeroom.
Esteem Women's Center (formerly known as Life Services) in St. Augustine is a free pregnancy clinic providing a wide range of services for women experiencing unexpected pregnancies, as well as referrals to community resources.
Esteem Women's Center (formerly known as Life Services) in St. Augustine is a free pregnancy clinic providing a wide range of services for women experiencing unexpected pregnancies, as well as referrals to community resources.
ALPHA - OMEGA MIRACLE HOME
On Wednesday, April 27th a team of volunteers worked at the Alpha Omega Miracle Home Community Center. Assistance provided: surface cleaning of rooms & floors, counting & marking diaper bundles, weeding & power washing the enclosed playground. These were tasks that would have taken the staff's valuable time away from helping their clients.
Alpha Omega Miracle Home is St. Augustine pairs a single mother with children with a senior woman who are in poverty, homeless, in an abusive relationship or trying to find a safe and supportive shelter. The paired women and children share a small apartment while working towards improving their lives, learning life skills and receiving encouragement and support. Their motto is a hand up, not a hand out.
Alpha Omega Miracle Home is St. Augustine pairs a single mother with children with a senior woman who are in poverty, homeless, in an abusive relationship or trying to find a safe and supportive shelter. The paired women and children share a small apartment while working towards improving their lives, learning life skills and receiving encouragement and support. Their motto is a hand up, not a hand out.
Helping Christ Cupboard Food Bank
On Saturday, May 14th volunteers helped pick up, transport and mark the Postal Workers Food Drive donations for Christ Cupboard at 810 Roberts Rd, Fruit Cove. This helped many in need in the community.
Backpacks for Homeless Unaccompanied Youth Enrolling In Higher Education: May 2022
New backpacks with needed supplies and gift cards were provided to the St. Johns County School District ASSIST Program for graduating homeless unaccompanied high school students 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 education goals for a future of greater opportunities and experiences.
Thank you to the donors and volunteers making this project successful.
Thank you to the donors and volunteers making this project successful.
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) Added to our Master List of Nonprofit Organizations
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine provides education and life skills on their campus to approximately 1,000 children from throughout Florida. 50-75 of these children are from economically challenged families. Education, meals, lodging and transportation Monday through Friday are covered by State funds. St. Johns CARES donated $1,000 to help the children with non-covered needs of clothing, personal hygiene items and school supplies. We welcome Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind as our newest nonprofit partner.
Home Again St. Johns
Last year Home Again St. Johns was relocated by the County to allow use of their previous location for development of low income housing. The present location lacks potable water and adequate shower facilities. Many of the clients have paying jobs but cannot afford rent and are living in their cars or in the woods. Grant money has been approved by the County Commissioners for a permanent location with facilities for meals, showers and clothes washing. The earliest this can occur is 1.5 years from now. St. Johns CARES donated $1,000 to help cover the cost of a safe outside hot water shower shielded from the elements.
Port in the Storm Homeless Young Adult Shelter
Port in the Storm/ St. Francis House in St. Augustine is a 16-bed night shelter for homeless young adults 18-24 years of age. Port in the Storm provides a safe place to stay, life skills training, counseling, basic needs, job skills and housing assistance.
Many months ago the building was flooded, necessitating renovation and replacement. St. Johns CARES donated $500 towards replacement of some comfort items lost.
Many months ago the building was flooded, necessitating renovation and replacement. St. Johns CARES donated $500 towards replacement of some comfort items lost.
Annual Food Drive October & November 2022
28 businesses, schools and day care centers served as host donation collection sites for nonperishable food donations. $6,400 pf donated food was distributed to Food Pantries in St. Johns County: Christ's Cupboard in Fruit Cove, St. Francis House & Pie in the Sky in St. Augustine, SEA community in Armstrong/Elkton area and Shepherd's Haven in Hastings.
7th Annual Turkey Trot Race: November 24, 2022
The Psych Ed Connections 7th Annual Turkey Trot Race on Thanksgiving morning was once again a fun, family-friendly event. 39 St. Johns CARES Volunteers helped make this fun, family-friendly race a success again this year.
Giving Tree 2022
52 Businesses, Neighborhoods, Schools, Day Care Centers and Library Branches served as host donation collection sites for donated items to cover the wishes and needs of clients of 40 nonprofit organizations on our Master List. These organizations serve our target populations of the Elderly, Veterans, Homeless, Abused, Children and Animals in St. Johns County. A nonprofit client wish was placed on a Giving Tree tag and displayed at the host donation sites. $62,843 of items and gift cards from the host sites and individual donations were distributed to our nonprofit partners. The generosity of the Community, host sites and our volunteers helped the organizations meet the needs and wishes of their clients for the holidays and into 2023.
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