Girl Scouts learn about homelessness

MIDDLEBURG – On June 11, Girl Scouts from 35 troops all over Northeast Florida, collected peanut butter and jelly for the Clay County Salvation Army on County Road 220. After word spread that Troop 1063 was doing the project, what started as a local project became regional. Girl Scouts collected 700 jars of peanut butter and 570 jars of jelly. The project started when Melissa Shrader, leader of Troop 1063, approached Salvation Army about wanting to raise awareness with her troop about hunger in the community. As word spread, more troops became involved. While at the center, girls learned about hunger through various crafts, the need for food pantries in Clay County and took a tour of the food pantry. They also helped make 60-plus food bags that will be delivered during the Salvation Army’s Senior Outreach Program. There was also a station about homelessness, where teens acted out reasons why people might be homeless and showed the Girl Scouts ways a community can help combat homelessness. The Girl Scouts also earned a PB&J uniform patch specifically made for this event. Due to the large quantity of patches ordered, there was a difference of $367.40 on the order. This overage was then generously donated to The Salvation Army of Clay County to purchase even more peanut butter and jelly. A Girl Scouts troop from Gainesville also participated in the project.

Rotary donates to multiple causes

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Green Cove Springs Rotary Club recently presented annual charitable gifts to several local charities. From left are John Miller, Rotary president, Jay Oliverio, J.P. Hall Children’s Charities, Drew DeCandis, Council on Aging of Clay County, Wynema Lovell, Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs, Nancy Keating, Challenge Enterprises, David Bright, Bright Minds Youth Development, Rita Blackmar, Friends of the Green Cove Springs Library, Sandra Royal, Cala Vida Festival and Al Rizer, Haven Hospice.

Chiropractor raises funds for kids

FLEMING ISLAND – June Gentle, a Fleming Island chiropractor, recently hosted a reception celebrating the five-year anniversary of the opening of her chiropractic practice here. She asked her guests to make donations to benefit a Clay County nonprofit agency, Kids First of Florida, the local agency that works to place foster children in safe homes. Here, Gentle presents a $600 check to Ernie Cohen, community liaison for Kids First.

Hardware store chips in for Quigley

ORANGE PARK – Mitch Turner, manager of Hagan ACE Hardware on Blanding Boulevard recently had store employees do a Point of Sale roundup for Quigley House. The initiative raised $400 for Quigley House. Here, Turner presents a check to Executive Director Peggy Payne.