{"id":29893,"date":"2016-02-24T21:55:53","date_gmt":"2016-02-24T21:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firstcoastymca.org\/?p=29893"},"modified":"2017-03-30T14:35:11","modified_gmt":"2017-03-30T18:35:11","slug":"jacksonville-sports-council-named-ymca-community-partner-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/portfolio.curran-connors.com\/FCYMCA\/jacksonville-sports-council-named-ymca-community-partner-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville Sports Council Named YMCA Community Partner of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 February 24, 2016<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 The YMCA of Florida\u2019s First Coast is pleased to announce Jacksonville Sports Council as the 2016 recipient of the E. William Nash, Jr. Legend Award for the Community Partner of the Year. Presented at the 6th Annual Y-Bash held at the Florida Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 23, the award acknowledges Jacksonville Sports Council for its 15-year partnership with the Y aimed at creating a better First Coast.<\/p>\n

The partnership between the Jacksonville Sports Council and the YMCA of Florida\u2019s First Coast has led to the success of two local events and the launch of an innovative program, all of which are designed to encourage Northeast Florida youth to be active and reach their full potential:<\/p>\n

Healthy Kids Day<\/strong>. With the help from Jacksonville Sport Council affiliate, Gator Bowl Charities, the Y successfully celebrated Healthy Kids Day on May 2, 2015, inspiring kids to keep their minds and bodies active, while giving them actives and resources to achieve their potential all year long.<\/p>\n

Healthy Kids Passport<\/strong>. During Healthy Kids Day, Jacksonville Sports Council launched its Healthy Kids Passport\u2014an initiative that takes children on a journey throughout the First Coast to discover ways to be healthy, explore the arts and give back to the community.<\/p>\n

TaxSlayer Bowl<\/strong>. Children who engaged in activities at the Y and other local organizations earned a ticket to the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl. Gator Bowl Charities\u2019 Send a Child to the Game Program gives deserving children the opportunity to take part in the unforgettable experience. More than 1,200 children attended the game this past January through this program.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are fortunate to have very loyal and long tenured partnerships with many local organizations that share the same value and passion for strengthening our community,\u201d said YMCA of Florida\u2019s First Coast president and CEO Eric Mann. \u201cJacksonville Sports Council\u2019s is one of those partners, there commitment to youth development directly aligns with the Y\u2019s mission to provide innovative programs that foster a healthier future for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

YMCA of Florida\u2019s First Coast recognizes its staff, volunteers and community partners annually at the Y-Bash, an event celebrating their community impact through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. At this year\u2019s event, the Y announced its funding priorities for the following year and its goal to raise $1.7 million. This year\u2019s four funding priorities include:<\/p>\n