Challenge Enterprises part of National Disabilities Awareness Month

CLAY COUNTY – Challenge Enterprises spent March participating in National Disabilities Awareness Month programs.
Funded by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Vocational Rehabilitative Services, Challenge Enterprises is committed to providing quality services to individuals with disabilities, including screening and certifying all staff. The agency’s mission is to proudly promote the Power of People and Possibilities for individuals with disabilities.
For the past 50 years, Challenge Enterprises has been grateful to many partner agencies, businesses, churches, corporations, and private citizens in Clay County and surrounding communities who have significantly enriched the quality of life for persons with disabilities to find jobs, own a house, rent an apartment and have friends to share the good times.
President Reagan recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in 1987 as a way to increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developmental disabilities include impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas, such as autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, hearing loss, vision impairment and other developmental delays.

Clay Humane needs donations for severely injured dog
ORANGE PARK – Clay Humane, a nonprofit veterinary clinic in Orange Park, is asking for donations to care for Trevor, an injured Border Collie mix found by Clay County Animal Services on Jan. 21.
“Clay County Animal Services transferred Trevor to us. He came in lame on his left hind leg with a deep laceration in his neck, more than likely from an embedded collar,” said Clay Humane Executive Director Linda Welzant.
“He had little fur and a severe skin infection affecting the entire body due to malnutrition and neglect.”
Trevor is recovering from a cranial cruciate ligament repair. With the help of heavy antibiotics, antiparasitic medications, pain management, medicinal bathing and quality nourishment, he is healing nicely from all his conditions. While officials don’t know the exact circumstances of Trevor’s situation, they suspect neglect. Although he has multiple fractures in his tail, they don’t believe he was involved in dogfighting.
“Trevor has an exceptional disposition and is good around other animals,” said Welzant. “He is a calm and sweet boy who learns quickly and wants to be with you, preferably in your lap.”
Trevor is between 5-8 years old and weighs about 60 pounds. He has several potential adopters and will go into a forever home following his recovery over the next few months. The total cost of Trevor’s rehabilitation so far is approximately $4,000.
To donate to Trevor’s Fund, visit www.clayhumane.org/donate.php or call (904) 276-7729.

Garden Club of Middleburg to host ‘Meet and Greet’

MIDDLEBURG – The Garden Club of Middleburg will host a “Meet and Greet” in the nursery section of Lowe’s Home Improvement, 1700 Blanding Blvd., on April 14 from 10-11:30 a.m.
The club will have a table in the garden department. Members will be available to answer questions about plants, where to plant, bee and butterfly pollinators and much more.
For more information, call (904) 252-7818 or (904) 343-8235.

Active and Retired Federal Employees meet monthly
ORANGE PARK – As the only organization dedicated to the general welfare of all federal workers and retirees, the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees delivers valuable guidance, timely resources and powerful advocacy.
Clay County Chapter 141 meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Orange Park Library at 2054 Plainfield Ave. at 12:30 p.m. Each gathering consists of a short business meeting and a presentation.
Since NARFE’s founding in 1921, the association’s mission has been to defend and advance America’s civil servants’ earned pay and benefits. Today, NARFE’S team of professional lobbyists continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the federal community. Supported by grassroots advocates, NARFE is a leading voice in Washington and across the country, although often unknown to our local civil servants, both active and retired, along with postal personnel.
Federal benefits and retirement plans are unique, complex and subject to change. NARFE provides federal workers and retirees with the precise, reliable and accessible counsel they need to make critical decisions and gain confidence in a secure future.

Mission of the Dirt Road offering free showers
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Adults can sign up for free showers on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Mission of the Dirt Road, 7790 State Road 100.
Adults can utilize the services from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Families with children can get free showers on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. Showers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents are required to sign up during the day of the shower. To make a reservation, call or text (601) 568-3473.

Thrasher-Horne: Show memorabilia on sale to fund future shows
ORANGE PARK –Signed posters, flyers and banners from recent acts at the Thrasher-Horne Center are on sale at the center’s box office at 483 College Dr. in Orange Park.
The money will go to the Thrasher-Horne Center Annual Fund to provide financial assistance for future programs.
Included in the items are items from the shows by Rumours, Always Patsy, Elvis, Craig Morgan, comedian Bill Engvall, Diamond Rio, Electric Light Orchestra Experience, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pete the Cat, Ricky Nelson Remembered, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Young Irelanders and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Items range from $5 to $50, and they can only be picked up at the center.
The center also is selling tickets and gift certificates for upcoming shows
For more information, call (904) 276-6815 or visit thcenter.org.

Shred For Good: Challenge Enterprises offers shredding drop-off
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Shred for Good hosts Residential Shred Drop-Off events for the benefit of individuals that don’t have an ongoing need for regular shredding service. During the drop-off events every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, participants may deposit their sensitive documents in secure and locked bins at 3530 Enterprise Way in Green Cove Springs. The bins are then securely transported to the Shred for Good facility, where it is destroyed.
After a six-month shutdown for the pandemic, Shred for Good rolled out a rebooted Residential Shred Drop Off Program in October 2020. On the first day, 92 households were able to destroy 5,116 pounds of sensitive materials in just two hours. Each one of these events is focused on convenience for the consumer and streamlined processes for the staff.
Residential consumers now follow the signs to the drop zone, complete a short form, donate and drive away without ever having to leave their vehicle. Both the form and donation have been made available online in advance to save time.
The average household drops off about 55 pounds and donates $14 a visit. Considering that most drop-off shred sites charge more than $.50 a pound, the Shred for Good’s Residential Shred Drop-Off Program at $.26/pound is a cost-effective alternative for the community it serves.
Business and Commercial customers, please call (904) 252-9786 to schedule a pickup using one of our secure bins.

Clay County looks to fill several job openings
CLAY COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners is looking for a few good people – make that a lot of good people.
The county posted several job openings, including animal control officer, building inspector, deputy director of engineering, engineering specialist, equipment operator, firefighter/EMT, grants administration analyst, grounds maintenance technician, HVAC technician, kennel attendant, laborer, permit services technician, veterans’ services officer and 4-H young development extension agent (apply through the University of Florida).
For more information, click the Career Opportunities tab on the county’s website, www.claycountygov.com.