2015 Give Back Donation

Jacksonville Beach, FL (November 23, 2015) – The Beaches Watch Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Deck the Chairs and the American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps have been selected to be the recipient of the 6th Annual Beaches Watch “Give-Back” donation and will be presented a check in the amount of $1,000 at the Beaches Watch meeting on Wednesday, December 2 at 7pm in the Chapel at the Beaches Area Historical Society, 381 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach.  In addition to the donation presentation, the Lifesaving Corps will be providing a presentation about their organization and the work they are doing. The public is invited to attend.

In her nomination, Georgette Dumont of Jacksonville Beach said, “Deck the Chairs was started three years ago when the Jacksonville Beach city council was approached with the idea of ‘decking’ the iconic Jax Beach lifeguard chairs in Latham Plaza for the month of December”. The event has grown each year drawing families to the area to marvel at the lights and community events. The heart of Deck the Chairs is charity. At the base of the iconic holiday tree display are large red buckets where food donations for the Beaches Area Emergency Ministry (BEAM) are collected and the proceeds from the event and the “Fill the Buoy” collections benefit the American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps.  Most people in the community see the great work the lifeguards do, but don’t realize they are in constant need of funds for insurance, building maintenance of the lifeguard station completed in 1947 as well as training and supplies for the members of the corps.

This free month-long event contributes significantly to the quality of life at the Beaches and surrounding areas. The Beaches Watch Board felt that with this one award several deserving beach efforts would be recognized and rewarded. In this spirit, all who attend the Beaches Watch meeting on December 2nd are encouraged to bring a food or toy donation for BEAM.

The Beaches Watch annual “Give-Back” donation supports outstanding nonprofit organizations that help enrich the quality of life of beaches residents.  “Beaches Watch is proud to present this ‘Give-Back’ donation to Deck the Chairs and the Volunteer Lifesaving Corps to show our appreciation for all they are doing to enhance the quality of life for our beaches communities.  We hope this donation will help them continue the great work they are doing in our community,” said Beaches Watch President Sandy Golding.