12th Annual Pearls and Cufflinks Gala celebrate 112 years of service

Mrs. Herzfeld, Kris Mattison,
Ju'Coby Pittman, Mr. Gary Herzald

The 12th Annual Pearls and Cufflinks Gala, hosted by Title Sponsor Citi, for the Clara White Mission, was held on Saturday, November 12, 2016.  The theme of this year’s signature event was a Masquerade Gala to celebrate the 140 birthday and legacy of founder Dr. Eartha M. M. White and Clara White Mission 112 year of service.

Over 320 guests was treated to an elegant reception, followed by a dinner prepared by graduates and students of Ashley Street Catering, with over $80,000 being raised.  Catrina Mack, graduate from the janitorial/construction training program, gave a moving testimony about how the Clara White Mission changed her life after she graduated.  She is now employed by Mayo Clinic.

This year’s event also spotlighted the Clara White Mission New Beaver Street Veteran’s Villas initiative that is scheduled to open in December, 2016.  Mistress’ of Ceremony for the evening was Melanie Lawson, Anchor WJXT; and Odette Struys, Senior Public Information Officer for Atkins Global.

President/CEO Ju’Coby Pittman said, “Proceeds from the event are designated for critical and urgent services to over 500 homeless veterans and low-income persons that visit the mission every day.  The community continues to support our mission, while allowing us to make a visible difference.”

Sponsors for the event include:  Sidney Ansbacher/ Anita Lerch, Beaver Street Fisheries, Blue Willow Nail Boutique, Celebration Church, Episcopal Children Services, Cox Media Group, Haskell, Mary Hoffman, Laundry Station/ Mariotti Laundry & Dry Cleaners, Robert Manning, Morgan Stanley, North Florida Community Action Agency, North Florida Sales, Dee Paez, Province Realty Group, UPS, Sage Solutions, Synovus Bank, Sysco Foods, Theramed Medical Clinics, United Health Care, UNF/ Philip Cousin AME Church, W.W. Gay Mechanical, Wells Fargo and Vulcan.

It’s never too late for you to make a gift, this holiday season, to the Clara White Mission initiatives by: Patronizing Clara’s Café, every Friday, from 11a.m. – 1:30 p.m. located at 256 E. Church Street; purchasing from White Harvest Farm & Farmer’s Market, 4358 Moncrief Rd, every Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  If you have any questions, please call (904) 354-4162 or go to their website.

'Decades Rewind' back in JAX once again at the Times Union Theater

Ms. "V" with some of the guys

They were here in June of this year.  If you missed them you can once again, take a trip down melody lane with “Decades Rewind” (check out the video), featuring more than 60 songs effortlessly blended into unique medleys from the most prominent decades in music history.  This fully live concert experience features an eight-piece rock band and six brilliant rocking vocalists surrounded by rock and roll stage lighting, poignant videos of American culture and more than 100 costume changes.

Some of the musical artist renditions included in each performance are from: The Jackson 5, Cindy Lauper, Madonna, Debbie Harry, Prince, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Blondie, Gloria Gainer, Earth-Wind & Fire, Donna Summer, Patty Labelle & the Bluebells, ABBA, Cool & the Gang, Rick James, The Parliaments, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, Boston, Queen, Aretha Franklyn, Sly & the Family Stone, Martha & the Vandellas, Ike & Tina Turner, Chubby Checker, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Ray Charles, James Brown, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, The 5^th Dimensions and many more.

If you enjoyed some recent musical performances at the Times Union Center from Motown the Musical & Mamma Mia!, then don’t miss your trip down melody lane with “Decades Rewind.”  This show will be back in JAX, FL for only two musical packed nights.  From Abba to Zeppelin, “Decades Rewind” will have you singing along and dancing in your seats on a magical rock musical extravaganza you won’t soon forget.

“Decades Rewind”

DATES:      TIMES:
Thurs. Dec. 8, 2016  7:30 p.m.
Friday Dec. 9    8 p.m.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Terry Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

TICKETS: $28.50 and may be purchased online at FSCJ Artist Series, sponsored by Chase (the official presenter of the Jacksonville show), or by calling (904) 442-BWAY (2929) between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.  Discounts are available for groups of 10 + by calling (904) 442-2947 or email groupsales.

Clara White Mission feeds homeless on Thanksgiving

The Clara White Mission is all about “Paying It Forward”.  They are continually being blessed in order to be a blessing and on Thursday morning, November 24, 2016, the mission will serve their 23rd Annual Thanksgiving “Breakfast” to the homeless and low-income families.  Community volunteers will assist in serving the approximately 400 – 500 homeless individuals and low income families that are expected to attend.  The Mission is a one-stop community development center that restores lives through job training, job placement, housing initiatives and daily meals.  Last year, the Mission served over 190,000 meals to grateful individuals.

The Clara White Mission has been a beacon of hope for the needy of Jacksonville for 112 years.  For more information on other ways to contribute, visit www.clarawhitemission.org or call to number below.

Thanksgiving Breakfast
DATE: Thurs. Nov. 24, 2016
TIME: 8 –10 a.m.

LOCATION: Clara White Mission  La Villa
       Ju’Coby Pittman/CEO
      613 West Ashley St.
      Jacksonville, Florida 32202
      Office: (904) 354-4162