Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood sweater drive delivers

WJCT, in partnership with Suddath®, VyStar Credit Union and the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships, delivered boxes of gently used sweaters, jackets and blankets to three area nonprofits. Deliveries were made to the following locations: Clara White Mission, 613 West Ashley Street, 32202; Sulzbacher Center, 611 East Adams Street, 32202 & City Rescue Mission, 426 McDuff Avenue, 32254.

These items were donated by members of the community during the 18th annual Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive, which ran through November 30, 2020; during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Since its local launch in 2002, the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive has collected more than a quarter million articles of clothing and cold-weather necessities for First Coast residents. In recognition of Be My Neighbor Day, WJCT also distributed backpacks filled with school supplies, books, personal hygiene products, a blanket, and Daniel Tiger socks and mask to children in need in our community. The 2020 version of Be My Neighbor Day was made possible by support from PNC Grow Up Great. Daniel Tiger was also on hand Monday to wave to all his friends.

Representatives from WJCT, Suddath®, VyStar Credit Union and the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships were on-hand along with Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, President and CEO of the Clara White Mission; Cindy Funkhouser, President and CEO of Sulzbacher & Penny Kievet, President and CEO of City Rescue Mission.

With the temperatures in JAX dropping, these three agencies have blessed those who are in need of a little assistance while they look for a way to improve their situations.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood 'Sweater Drive'

WJCT, in partnership with VyStar Credit Union Suddath®,  and the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships, has launched the 18th annual Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive. This beloved community tradition, which runs through November 30, collects new and gently used sweaters, jackets and blankets to donate to nonprofit organizations across Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau Counties.

WJCT joins Public Media stations across the United States participating in this event, which celebrates the memory and legacy of Fred Rogers, host of the groundbreaking television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” In 2019, the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive collected more than 15,000 articles of clothing and cold-weather necessities for First Coast residents.

“Fred Rogers was the epitome of a good neighbor. His trademark red cardigan has become a symbol of compassion and civility — traits that are just as important to our society today as they were when his show debuted more than 50 years ago,” said David McGowan, President and CEO of WJCT. “We invite our neighbors across our region of service, from Palm Coast to Georgia’s Golden Isles, to join us in sharing with our neighbors in need this November.”

WJCT will collect donations at its headquarters, located at 100 Festival Park Avenue in Jacksonville. Donations may also be made at area VyStar Credit Union branches, Suddath® offices and Tom Bush dealerships.

“VyStar cares deeply about the communities we serve, and among our strongest beliefs is the importance of providing additional assistance and resources to those who need them most,” said Brian Wolfburg, President/CEO of VyStar Credit Union. “With that in mind, we will once again gladly open our branches to collect gently used items and encourage anyone who is able to participate in this worthwhile initiative to consider making a donation.”

Suddath will use its moving trucks to collect donated items, then bring them back to its Jacksonville warehouse for sorting, before delivering them to participating nonprofits.

“Last year, Suddath added ‘Caring’ as one of our core values, which honors our tradition of philanthropy and giving back to the communities where we operate,” said Dick Eschbacher, president and general manager of Suddath Jacksonville. “We’re particularly grateful to participate in the Sweater Drive this year, when extraordinary circumstances have unfortunately left many of members of our community disadvantaged.”

The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships has been a sweater drive presenting partner since 2017. “We are driven to serve the community we call home,” said Megan Bush Del Pizzo, Vice President of the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships. “Our goal is to ensure every donation goes the distance to help our Northeast Florida neighbors.”

For more information, including a downloadable flier to share with your neighbors and a full list of donation locations, visit wjct.org/events/sweaterdrive/.

DONATION DROP-OFFS:
WJCT - 100 Festival Park Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Suddath - 815 S. Main St, Jax, FL 32207; 8743 Western Way, Jax, FL 32256; 11001 Pritchard Rd. Jax, FL 32219; 9601 North Main St. Jax, FL 32218; 5 W Forsyth St #100, Jax, FL 32202; 9140 Golfside Dr #12s, Jax, FL 32256

VyStar Credit Union - All locations in Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Putnam, Nassau and Bradford Counties

Tom Bush Family of Dealerships - 6916 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL  32244; 6914 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, 32244; 9875 Atlantic Blvd., Jax, FL  32225; 9750 Regency Square Blvd., Jax 32225; 9876 Atlantic Blvd., Jax 32225; 9881 Atlantic Blvd., Jax 32225; 9850 Atlantic Blvd., Jax 32225; 9910 Atlantic Blvd., Jax 32225; 9850 Atlantic Blvd., Jax 32225

About WJCT: WJCT is the community-owned and operated public media organization serving Jacksonville and the First Coast since 1958, using television, radio, digital media, and live events to help community members learn, share, and grow. For more information on WJCT’s in-depth programming content, log on to WJCT Online at wjct.org. Like WJCT on Facebook (facebook.com/wjctjax) and follow WJCT on Twitter (@WJCTJax) and Instagram (@WJCTJax).

‘Travis Scott’ Astroworld: Wish You Were Here comes to JAX

Set to be some of his most explosive performances yet, the second leg of the tour follows an initial leg that included dates at historic venues like New York City's Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles' The Forum, with a special homecoming “Astroworld Festival” in Houston that took place on November 17th.  This week the extravaganza will be in JAX, at the Veterans Memorial Arena, for one evening only!  There are still choice seats available.

Produced by Live Nation, the second leg of the tour kicked on January 25 in Vancouver as Travis played 29 shows before concluding on March 24 in Charlotte.  All 3 postponed shows from the previous leg, (Milwaukee, Hartford and Tampa), have been rescheduled and tickets for the original date will be honored at the new date.  Check out the full itinerary HERE and get your tickets today!

The Houston rapper's live shows have become the stuff of a legend with Billboard writing, "Travis Scott's penchant for raging, off-the-wall live shows have become an essential part of his career."  Speaking about the early shows of the first leg of the "Astroworld: Wish You Were Here" tour, Complex says, "this show is worth whatever effort you have to put forth to catch it."  Get ready for the ride of a lifetime!

About Live Nation Entertainment:  (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit.

About SMG Jacksonville: They manage seven sports, entertainment, and convention venues on behalf of the City of Jacksonville.  Their beautiful venues include: TIAA Bank Field, Daily’s Place, The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center & The Ritz Theatre and Museum.

    TRAVIS SCOTT
“Astroworld: Wish You Were Here”

DATE: Thursday, March 14, 2019
TIME: 8 p.m.

TICKETS: range from $37 — $99.  All seats are reserved, and tickets are available online, by calling (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships Box Office at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

LOCATION: JAX Veterans Memorial Arena
      300 A Philip Randolph Blvd., Downtown
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 630-3900

‘P!NK’ comes to JAX for ‘Beautiful Trauma World Tour’

P!NK makes Jacksonville, Florida her 3rd stop on her 2019 tour.  After incredible success and demand, esteemed performer and international pop icon "P!NK" announces that her Beautiful Trauma World Tour will extend in 2019 with an additional 37 spring dates across North America.  Produced by Live Nation, the new outing will kick off March 1, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, FL and will come to Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena March 5, 2019.  The highly praised show will also make stops in Nashville, New Orleans, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and more before wrapping May 21, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

U.S. and Canadian residents who purchase tickets online will be able to redeem (1) physical copy of P!NK’s new album “Beautiful Trauma”.  All albums must be redeemed by the end of the tour in May 2019.  Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 11 at LiveNation.com and are also available at the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships Box Office located at Veterans Memorial Arena.

P!Nk Beautiful Trauma World Tour 2019 Dates: Click HERE

Since her debut in 2000, P!NK has released 7 studio albums, 1 greatest hits album, sold over 50 million albums equivalents, over 75 million singles, over 2.4 million DVDs worldwide and has had 15 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (four at #1).  In addition, she is the recipient of three Grammy Awards (19 nominations), one Daytime Emmy Award, three Billboard Music Awards, seven MTV Video Music Awards (including the 2017 Michael Jackson Vanguard Award recipient), two MTV Europe Awards, two People’s Choice Awards, was named Billboard’s Woman of the Year in 2013 and has sold out arenas all over the world.  Her seventh studio album, Beautiful Trauma is certified platinum, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s 200 chart and marked a career high for first week sales.  Additionally, the album debuted at #1 in 10 other countries, on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart and Digital Albums Chart.  The first single, “What About US” is also certified platinum, received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance and reached #1 on the Adult Pop Songs chart earning her ninth leader on the chart, the most number-ones at the format for a female (second overall).

P!NK is a huge supporter of various charities, including: Make a Wish Foundation, Autism Speaks, Human Rights Campaign and No Kid Hungry.  She remains on the UNICEF team as an Ambassador.  She recently graced the cover of People Magazine’s The Beautiful Issue.

    “P!NK”
Beautiful Trauma World Tour

DATE: Tuesday, March 5, 2019
TIME: 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: range from $70 — $399.  All seats are reserved, and tickets are available online, by calling (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships Box Office at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

LOCATION: JAX Veterans Memorial Arena
      300 A Philip Randolph Blvd., Downtown
      Jacksonville, FL 32202
      (904) 630-3900

About Live Nation Entertainment: (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship.

About SMG Jacksonville manages seven sports, entertainment, and convention venues on behalf of the City of Jacksonville.  Their beautiful venues include: TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Georgia-Florida, the TaxSlayer Bowl and Monster Jam; Daily’s Place, a 5,500 seat amphitheater with concert programming year-round and an indoor practice facility for the Jacksonville Jaguars; The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, showplace of such entertainment greats as Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett and home to the Arena Bowl XXIV Champions Jacksonville Sharks, the ABA Jacksonville Giants and the Jacksonville IceMen; The Baseball Grounds of JAX, home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Florida vs FSU Baseball; The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, stage to Broadway and music elite like Wicked, James Taylor and Diana Ross; and home of the FSCJ Artist Series and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra; The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, a historic renovated train station providing a unique venue for meetings, social events and conventions & The Ritz Theatre and Museum, located in Jacksonville’s historic African American community of LaVilla, celebrating the artistic culture of African American life in Northeast Florida and the African Diaspora with museum exhibits, concerts, films, lectures, dance and dramatic arts.