Tag: Jacksonville

Quick Shot: Something Special

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

By losing the receipt not only is the visual impact gone but also the name of the barrista who owned the act. Still, this brief moment in time is no less worth telling.

 

On my way home from the Riverside Arts Market I found myself craving a Starbucks unsweetened green ice tea. Thankfully a new Starbucks recently opened in the Tinseltown area which has a drive through. As I pulled to the service window the girl/woman recanted the price and, as they always do, asked if I wanted my receipt.

The usual unthinking response is “no”. But for some reason the thought of being social took seat and a memory of past experiences in which the receipt might afford a special benefit flooded the room.

“I don’t but unless there is something special on the receipt that I might need”, I said.

“No deals today,” she replied. “But I have connections so I might be able to do something.”

We both politely laughed. She moved onto whatever business was in front of her while I reviewed email on my iPhone. When my tea was ready she handed me the Venti container, a straw and the receipt. Initially striking me that she forgot I did not want it I briefly glanced at the small slip of paper while catching her smiling eyes from my peripheral. On the receipt was written:

You’re so special!

Receipt found!!!

26.2 With Donna 2013: Get An Early Start

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

Jacksonville Beach was beautiful, but cold. Courtesy of http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=40224843&event=1413823&CategoryID=10519

If you have ever considered tackling a marathon the 26.2 With Donna is a great race for a worthy cause. Traversing Jacksonville’s beautiful shoreline and winding through a variety of neighborhoods lined with supportive folks sharing not only their support but also their bacon, Bloody Mary’s and an assortment of fruit, the physical pain and effort is easily overcome by the sense of community and purpose. OK, “easily” is a poor user of the language, especially if you are not a seasoned distance runner. You will hurt but when surrounded by those running in honor of loved ones they have lost or those presently fighting to survive, your pain is a little less relevant.

My first “Donna” was this past year and while my responsibility was the first leg of a relay team (I along with my friend Vicki Schoonmaker tackled the first 5 miles), hearing the stories told by those who had run it in the past of how beautiful the experience is, I had to continue beyond my task. Gutting out 15 miles, roughly 7 beyond what I had trained for, left me aching through a good portion of my lower extremities. Adding to the pain was the unseasonably cold Jacksonville day which never topped 36 degrees during the run. Having run a New Years Eve 5k in Vermont where the temperature was 8 degrees the cold was not a shock. The wind was another story, especially along the beach where the tranquility of crashing waves illuminated by a cloudless sky fought hard to mask numbing breeze.

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Making Christmas Real: Clara White Mission Families

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

Courtesy of http://www.clarawhitemission.org/About.aspx

The Clara White Mission is a great charitable organization which does more than just offer solace. They offer vocational training to help people help themselves out of their condition by giving something money cannot buy: Integrity and self-worth. It has been our privilege to be even a small part of their continuing work in Jacksonville, FL.

My wife, who coordinates this every year, sent out her official email detailing the three families that are in need of a Christmas miracle. Is miracle too strong? Maybe, but for those of us for whom life has not been as difficult (regardless of fault) it might be near impossible to fathom a season absent  of hope. A gift from a stranger speaks to something greater than the gift itself and quite possibly could tilt the eyes up. A little known fact: when eyes raise they bring with them the heart, mind and spirit. Crazy how the body works!

So here is her email. Beyond anything that could be bought, gently used books also make a nice addition. Clothing is not an item that has been requested. I know many of you may already be making Christmas special for someone in need but for anyone who can help here is an opportunity. You can respond to this post or contact me via Facebook/Twitter.

I am sending this to you as a Christmas request for help for families who have so much less than most of us do. If you are able to help, please let me know.

Clara White has shared three families that are in great need for Christmas. If you would like to purchase some items we are trying to get at least two toys for each child and a $25-$50 food gift card for each family as well.  We are shopping on Wednesday afternoon at Town Center Target and delivering what we can to Clara White Mission downtown on Thursday at 1:30p.m. I would be happy to wrap any donations, if you can drop them off to my house by Wed. night.

Simpson Family

Ms. Buffy Simpson, 35 years old, single mom, 3 kids

Nicholas, boy, 8 years old

Mariah, girl, 15 years old

Tengen, girl, 12 years old

Bennett Family

Margaret and David Bennett, wife 37, husband 41 (security officer)

struggling to make ends meet, new baby in the house

Victoria, girl, 3 years old

David, boy, 7 weeks old baby

Simmons Family

Andrea Simmons, 38 yr old single mom, 3 teens

Makarri, boy, 17 years old

Alicia, girl, 15 years old

Jasmin, girl, 10 years old

If you would like to pick a particular name/age and buy for that child, that would be great.