Salvation Army’s Back to School Outreach on July 25

MIDDLEBURG – Corps Officers Maj. Melissa and Capt. Jim Scott arrived at their new post at the Clay County Salvation Army two weeks ago, and they will jump into action by hosting the organization’s Back to School Outreach on Friday, July 25.

Students returning to the classroom on Aug. 11 can receive age-appropriate backpacks filled with school supplies at 2795 County Road 220 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Eligible students must be enrolled in Clay County and accompanied by an adult. The Corps will serve free hot dogs and snow cones, and it will provide free services information and haircuts. Students can also get a free sports physical by calling (904) 276-6677 to make an appointment.

Dollars for Scholars rummage sale set for July 25-26

ORANGE PARK – The Orange Park Woman’s Club invites the public to its annual Rummage Sale, July 25-26, from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. The sale helps provide scholarships for high school students in Clay County.

Shoppers can expect a wide variety of items, including books, linens, kitchenware, toys, puzzles, men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, baby items, shoes, ties, furniture and much more. A selection of homemade baked goods will also be available for purchase.

As a special promotion, guests who donate a canned food item will receive a $1 off coupon toward their purchase (excludes bakery items).

The Orange Park Woman’s Club is accepting donations of gently used household items for the sale. Donations may be dropped at the clubhouse at 130 Kingsley Dr. from July 21 through July 24, between 9 am. and 2 p.m.

To arrange for an earlier donation, please call (904) 264-8269 or email orangeparkwomansclub@gmail.com.

Green Cove Springs’ Verizon store to offer free backpacks

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Round Room and the Verizon store at 1342 N. Orange Ave. will donate more than $3 million in backpacks to 140,000 students to ease the financial burden for parents.

The 13th Annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” will be on Sunday, July 27, at 1 p.m.

Round Room, one of the country’s largest Verizon Authorized Retailers, will host its annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” at more than 1,200 of its TCC and Wireless Zone stores, offering complimentary backpacks to families for the upcoming school year.

“This is one of those moments each year that reminds us why we do what we do,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. “It’s not just about the backpacks, it’s about showing up for our neighbors. When our teams gather in stores across the country to give back on the same day, it’s a magical thing.”

Additionally, Round Room will be gifting one winning school a bus filled with nearly $40,000 of essential supplies during Backpack Giveaway.

After years of inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty, families continue to feel the burden during the back-to-school season. Last year, U.S. families spent an average of $875 on school supplies, with costs rising by almost 24% over the past five years. Nearly three‑quarters of parents expect to spend the same amount or more this year despite financial pressures. For families facing financial strain, purchasing a higher ticket item such as a backpack can be challenging, highlighting why community initiatives like Round Room’s “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” are more vital than ever.

Families are invited to attend to pick up a complimentary backpack, one for each present child, while supplies last.

Orange Park Young Marines recently graduated from NASA's Space Camp.

Orange Park teens graduate from NASA’S Space Camp

ORANGE PARK – Frederick Tough, Ethan Long, Hayden Wood, Dayton Zeigler and Taylor Gheen were among 36 12- to 14-year-old Young Marines from units across the country who successfully graduated from NASA’s U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge Mach II in Huntsville, Alabama.

All participants completed a fast-paced, military-inspired program where young leaders are evaluated in their knowledge of aerodynamics and teamwork.

The teens are members of the Black Creek Young Marines from Orange Park.

The Young Marines is a national nonprofit youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so they can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Former NASA Astronaut, Ret. U.S. Marines Col. Kenneth D. Cameron interacted with the campers in hands-on activities. Selected by NASA in May 1984, Cameron became an astronaut in June 1985. A veteran of three space flights, Cameron has logged more than 561 hours in space.

“Completion of this difficult course is a major accomplishment and a life-changing experience for these Young Marines,” said Col. William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “Our Young Marines enthusiastically answered the challenge that the NASA camp put before them. With purpose, creativity and strategic thinking, our Young Marines completed every task assigned to them.”

During the six days, graduates’ main accomplishments included:

• Learning about aeronautics, propulsion and aviation history.

• Flew in a UAV drone simulator to reinforce lessons learned at static displays and artifacts.

• Mastered aerial combat and competing to be the best of the best in “Top Gun.”

• Embarked on a search and rescue mission to bring a downed pilot back from behind enemy lines while communicating as a team and evading hostile forces.

Two donors help NFLT improve Smith Lake Reserve

 KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) just completed a long-anticipated project at Smith Lake Preserve to remove an old fence from Smith Lake that was a significant obstacle for wildlife and a potential danger to boaters, swimmers and researchers. Two generous donors, Faith and Rick Hoffman, and the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds, made the fence removal project possible.

“We greatly appreciate the support from the Hoffmans and Delores Barr Weaver, both of whom have been a tremendous help to us and our mission,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “This project was on our to-do list for a while, and thanks to our generous donors, our stewardship team was able to remove the fence that had become submerged in Smith Lake. Now the lake is safer for all.”

 Cross-fencing on Smith Lake was constructed in the early 2000s for livestock grazing during a drought when the land was privately owned.  Over the years, water levels naturally rose, submerging the fence and impeding the movement of aquatic species like fish, turtles, amphibians, and alligators, causing population imbalances, and disrupting ecological processes.

The stewardship team brought in North Florida Dock Service to assist with removing just over 1.5 miles of mostly submerged fencing. The fence at the freshwater marsh was removed by using mini-excavators, skid steers, barges and watercraft. The work had no effect on the environment. The fence removal restores natural migration, enhances the environmental balance and ensures safe access to the lake.

Three more Clay Winn-Dixies to be turned into Aldi stores

 CLAY COUNTY – Employees at three Clay County Winn-Dixie stores have heard their stores will be converted to an Aldi.

Stores located in Melrose, Middleburg and Green Cove Springs eventually will be closed and construction will begin on revamping the space into an Aldi. Construction generally takes about six months.

The Fleming Island Winn-Dixie was converted and re-opened on Thursday, June 26,

Both Winn-Dixie stores in Orange Park – on Park Avenue and Blanding Boulevard – and Lake Asbury will remain Winn-Dixies.

Although it’s in Clay County, the Winn-Dixie in Argyle Forest is part of the Jacksonville Region.

Rotary clubs to honor heroes with flags, coins at OP Town Hall

CLAY COUNTY – The Rotary Clubs of Green Cove Springs, Orange Park Noon and Sunrise and Fleming Island are accepting donations to honor heroes with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue, Orange Park and Green Cove Springs Police Departments, Florida Army National Guard, Wounded Warrior Project and others by selling flags, coins and mentions at a special ceremony on Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at Orange Park Town Hall.

To honor a veteran, current member of the military or a first responder, visit oprotarysunrise.com and click on flags-for-heroes. With all donations, your hero’s name(s) will be mentioned at the event. The costs are:

• Hero, $50 – One seven-foot flag displayed between Sept. 8-19 at Town Square with the hero’s name displayed on it and a custom-designed coin for the hero.

• Friend, $100 – As many as two flags and two coins.

• Bronze, $250 – As many as four flags and four coins.

• Silver, $500 – As many as six flags, six coins and a business logo.

• Gold, $1,000 – As many as eight flags, eight coins and a business logo.

• Platinum, $2,000 – As many as 10 flags, 10 coins, business logo and opportunity to display a table at the ceremony.

Cheer for Jags, support Quigley House – at same time

Quigley House is excited to partner with the Jacksonville Jaguars, The Jaguars Foundation and the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida through the Jaguars Give & Go Program, and the organization that supports survivors of domestic violence needs your help.

When you purchase Jaguars home game tickets through this special program, Quigley House can earn as much as $30 a ticket sold. It's a fun and easy way to support survivors while enjoying an NFL game at a discounted nonprofit rate.

When you purchase your tickets, be sure to select Quigley House as your designated nonprofit. Every ticket helps Quigley House continue its mission to provide safety and support for those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

For any questions, contact development@quigleyhouse.org.

To purchase Jaguars tickets, visit giveandgo.nonprofitctr.org/events.

Portions of Black Creek Bike Trail closed for construction

CLAY COUNTY – Crews are repairing the Black Creek Bike Trail, and portions are closed for construction.

Phase 1: Two boardwalk sections near County Road 220 are closed, and the work is expected to last a month.

Phase 2: This will start after Phase 1 is finished, and it will impact the boardwalk along U.S. Highway 17 between Harbor Island Drive and Pace Island Trace. The work is expected to last around three months.

The rest of the Black Creek Bike Trail is still open.

Vehicles, vendors needed for Touch a Truck event in September

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Touch a Truck: What Moves Clay County, the annual event that attracts thousands to the Clay County Fairgrounds, is registering vehicles, static displays, community partners and service providers for its Sept. 6 event.

Touch a Truck includes construction, first responder, military, agricultural and utility vehicles that will be displayed and available to be inspected and touched.

What Moves Clay brings together the people and machinery that power the community from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We’ll host a sensory-friendly quiet hour from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and the day will feature dozens of vehicle displays, vendor booths (indoors and outdoors), food trucks, giveaways and a kid zone.

Whether a group is showcasing a vehicle, hosting a booth or sharing resources, Touch a Truck is a great opportunity to connect with Clay County families and highlight the work of the organization.

To register, visit forms.Monday.com/forms/58b9d81bd5150bb66fc9dead7f3348d4?r=use1.

Vendors need to complete a liability form and vehicle displays must provide certificates of insurance by Aug. 5.