Jacksonville Beach, FL (December 7, 2011) – On December 7, 2011, Beaches Council for the Disabled and Ish Brandt Beautification Committee representatives were each presented a $500 donation as the recipients of the 2nd Annual Beaches Watch “Give-Back” donation. The donation was presented by Beaches Watch President Sandy Golding to Kara Tucker, President of Beaches Council for the Disabled and Barbara Jackson, President of the Ish Brandt Beautification Committee at the December Beaches Watch meeting.
The Beaches Watch annual “Give-Back” donation supports outstanding organizations that help enrich the quality of life of beaches residents. “It was a difficult decision, because the Board of Directors received a lot of worthy nominations.” stated Sandy Golding, President of Beaches Watch. “It was such a difficult decision, the Board decided to split the donation between these two organizations.”
The Beaches Council for the Disabled (BCD) is a non-profit that has concentrated on beach access issues and was instrumental in obtaining numerous beach wheelchairs for Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach. They have also provided Neptune Beach Elementary School with accessible playground equipment for their MOVE (Mobility Opportunities via Education/Experience) program. The equipment helps children with severe disabilities acquire more independence to sit, stand and walk. Currently, BCD is working to upgrade the library at Alden Road School for Exceptional Education by installing new shelving and providing accessibility for all students.
The City of Neptune Beach Ish Brandt Beautification Committee is a non-profit that has implemented several beautification projects that have benefited all residents and visitors to our beaches. The Committee has planted 19 Florida native trees in Jarboe Park, planted Florida native trees along Florida Boulevard between Penman Road and Atlantic Boulevard to beautify the north side of the street of this major corridor and they revamped the Jarboe Park Butterfly Garden with Florida native plants. Their current priority is to rid the Beaches Town Center of invasive plants and replant with Florida native plants.
“Beaches Watch is proud to present this ‘Give-Back’ donation to these two worthy organizations and show our appreciation for all they are doing to enhance the quality of life for our beaches citizens and disabled residents,” said Sandy Golding.