December Ombudsmen Newsletter

1. THE SULLIVANS TIMES
December 2011
Ombudsman Family Newsletter By Meagan Snyder and Sarah Wester
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
COMMAND REMARKS……….PAGES 1 & 2
OMBUDSMAN NOTES………. PAGE 3
“HOW I MET MY SAILOR”……….PAGES 4 & 5
CRAFT of the Month……….PAGE 6
CEILI SCHEDULE AND USEFUL LINKS……….PAGE 7
CAN YOU SPOT YOUR SAILOR?………..PAGES 8 & 9
OMBUDSMEN AND BASE CONTACT INFORMATION……….PAGE 10
HOLIDAY VOLUNTEER OPPOURTINITIES…………PAGES 11 TO 14
COMMAND REMARKS
THE SULLIVANS’ Friends and Families,
This is my first newsletter as Commanding Officer. I am very excited, honored, and privileged to be
leading such a professional team as we have in THE SULLIVANS. I have had the unique opportunity as
serving as Executive Officer for the previous year and witnessed the challenges and triumphs of this crew
and you, our families and friends. I want to thank each of you for your continued support of our Sailors.
They depend on a strong support system at home to continue to answer the call of the nation.
Since assuming command in November the schedule has been action-packed. We have enjoyed
several port visits to Spain, Crete, Portugal, and Croatia. We honored our ship’s namesake on November
13, 2011 in remembrance to the 69th anniversary of the loss of USS JUNEAU (CL 52) during WWII in the
battle of Guadalcanal where the five Sullivan brothers, George, Joseph, Madison, Albert, and Francis
perished. Next we participated in a multi-national undersea warfare exercise with the French and British
Navies. We held a Sixth Fleet reception onboard hosting over 130 distinguished guests n Lisbon, Portugal,
which included the United States’ ambassador to Portugal, the Commander of Sixth Fleet, several
European ambassadors, and numerous foreign military admirals and generals. They were all extremely
impressed with the ship and pride of the crew. Following Our Lisbon port visit we transited
to Split, Croatia where the crew enjoyed a beautiful port visit in the Adriatic Sea.
Our Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team trained with the Croatian Navy’s team, which
was a great opportunity for our Sailors to share boarding and search techniques with another nation. While
inport the crew also participated in a Community Relations event where we volunteered at two of the local
orphanages. Our Sailors played basketball and soccer with the children of the orphanage, which boosted
their holiday spirit and morale as they beat us in soccer. We delivered them candy and several soccer
balls and basketballs.
I’m proud to announce the following Sailors were advanced to the next higher paygrade in a
ceremony conducted on the flight deck on November 28th: CS1(SW) Carter, GM2 Barber, GSM2(SW)
Bennett, LS2(SW) Gavitt, FC2 Hanks, LS2(SW) Hathorn, STG2(SW) Javner, EM2(SW) Ramos, BM2
Sams, PS2 Smiley, STG2 Wilson, OS3(SW) Berkley, GM3 Bush, QM3 Dewitt, GSE3 Doby, GM3 Escoto,
GM3 Rosariogarcia, EM3 Smith, and OS3 Spann. Additionally, I had the authority to meritoriously advance
two well-deserving Sailors to the next paygrade. STG2(SW) Grier and SH3 Jackson were selected from a
top-notch group of Sailors and were also advanced to the next rank. Well done!
1

2. Command Remarks (continued)
During the same ceremony we “pinned” our newest Enlisted Surface Warrior Specialists (ESWS),
FC3(SW) Laster, OS3(SW) Berkley, ET3(SW) Luttrull, and STG3(SW) Howe. This designation is the
culmination of months of hard work.
Wearing the ESWS pin signifies the Sailor is competent in their job, and has acquired additional
general knowledge that enhances their understanding of warfighting, mission effectiveness, and command
survivability by learning the entire ship’s systems and capabilities. We also reenlisted BM3 Brown on
Thanksgiving Day and IC1(SW) Snyder atop the ship’s mast, which was an exciting time for those in
attendance!
I’m happy to welcome aboard our newest Shipmates, LT Smith, IT1 Baumgartner, ITSN Rosetty,
GMSA Rosariogarcia, ICFN McKeel, GSMFR Fox, GSMFA Charles, ENFR Richardson, STGSN Fitzgerald,
and STGSN Dunn. We also bid farewell to a few of our Shipmates as they depart for follow-on tours of
duty. Fair winds and following seas to LT Griffith, STG2 Maldonado, and QM2(SW) Standback.
Commanding Officer, CDR Derick Armstrong, sends.
2

3. OMBUDSMAN REMARKS
By Sarah Wester
I don’t know if I am the only one that is having trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year or what.
Probably not, right!? As I look around my little area of base housing this 2 nd day after Thanksgiving at the
many houses who have already decorated, I can’t help but miss my Sailor. It’s not that I’m not capable of
breaking out a ladder and stringing lights on the house but who wants to do that by themselves. As
depressing as it may seem to spend this holiday season without Joe, I am determined to keep up the
appearance of cheerfulness for my son and the rest of the family. I did catch myself today humming the
tune of Sleigh Ride so perhaps the holiday spirit is slowly warming up my Grinch heart.
This time of year can be downright gloomy for some and especially for those of us who are dealing
with a deployed spouse. Some of the best ways to get past those bah hum bugs are to get out and enjoy
time with the kids or go to a holiday event (hint, hint, Spouses’ Night Out). The cities of Jacksonville and
the beaches as well as NS Mayport have many events during the season for both children and adults. All
local events have been posted to our Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/sullivansombudsman. If you
feel like driving a little north or south, St. Augustine and Nassau County both have some wonderful events
as well.
There is also a list of volunteer opportunities in the local area at the end of this newsletter (pages 11
to 14) . This is another awesome way to brighten your holiday spirit while bringing joy and comfort to
others.
If you seriously cannot seem to beat the holiday blues or feel like there may be something more serious
going on, there are many resources both military and civilian for you. Please see below for a list of
available resources.
 Military One Source: Confidential Counseling options available by calling 1.800.342.9647. You can
also visit their website @ http://www.militaryonesource.mil for further information.
 TRICARE Value Options: TRICARE’s behavior health and counseling services. You do NOT need
an initial referral from your PCM. You can contact TRICARE directly for a referral. Their number is
1-800-700-8646 and representatives are available Monday-Friday 8AM-7PM, excluding federal
holidays. You can visit their website for further information:
http://www.humana-military.com/south/provider/Health_Wellness/Behavioral-
Health/ProviderMilitaryandfamilylifetopics.asp
 The Fleet and Family Support Centers in the TriBase area are also readily available to offer
clinical counseling for your individual needs.
Services offered by FFSC include:
o Short-term clinical counseling for individuals, groups, and families
o Crisis intervention and/or response to disasters and other catastrophes
o Group counseling and/or educational groups
o Referral to other military and community resources
NAVSTA Mayport NAS Jacksonville SUBASE Kings Bay
Phone: 904-270-6600 Phone: 904-542-2766 Phone: 912-573-4512
https://www.cnic.navy.mi http://www.cnic.navy.mil/ http://www.subasekb.na
l/mayport/index.htm jacksonville/FleetAndFa vy.mil/page_department
milyReadiness/SupportS s_ffsc_home.htm
ervices/Families/index.ht
m
3

4. Due to the Holiday Season and the awesome influx of stories that have been pouring in; the “How I Met My Sailor
segment will be two pages in this newsletter edition. Remember if you submit a story, you will receive a first kiss
ticket!!!
HOW I MET MY SAILOR: FCC Juan Sanchez
By: Dina M. Sanchez
It was 1995; I was a single mother, and working at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. I had just gone through a divorce.
Some friends of mine kept telling me about this guy that they wanted to introduce me to. I wasn’t ready at the
time to meet someone new, and I told them so. I did not want to step out of the frying pan into the fire per say. So
I kept refusing to go out with them.
A couple weeks later, a friend of mine asked me if I would like to go out for drinks after work so I agreed to go.
Page and I chose Baha’s Beach Club as the place to go that evening. We were dancing and having fun, when I
noticed a handsome man standing at the bar. This handsome man took my breath away. I told Page that I
wanted to dance with him and that I would before the night was over. She said no he can’t dance and I said yes
he can and I will dance with him before the night is over. I was so sure that I would dance with him, I bet her a
drink.
I kept looking over his way because I thought he was so handsome and couldn’t keep my eyes off of him. He was
like the handsome prince in a fairy tale that just sweeps the princess off of her feet in the end. After a while our
eyes met and he smiled and then he was gone. My heart fell out of my body right there on the dance floor. It
seemed like forever that he was gone, but forever was only about thirty minutes.
When he returned to the same spot he was standing before, I made my move. I kept my eyes on him this time I
wasn’t going to let him get away. So I walked off of the dance floor and walked very close to him and he tapped
me on my shoulder and asked me if I wanted to dance. I didn’t give it a second thought and off to the dance floor
we went. He was such a gentleman and moved with such ease on the dance floor. I finally had met my true love.
I didn’t know a thing about him yet, but felt that he was the one and I must not let him go. Some people don’t
believe in love at first sight, but I do and I learned so that evening.
We danced as if we had taken dance classes together our whole lives. Every song that came on we had to dance
to. It seems like we were there for only a short while, but actually it had been hours. My friend said that she knew
we had fallen in love. She could tell by the way we looked at each other.
A little while later my friends came in from work. I went over to say hello, and the handsome man excused himself
to go somewhere before I walked over their way. I said hello and the first thing out of their mouths was, that guy
is here we want to introduce you to. I said no way, I have met my true love here tonight, and I don’t want to meet
anyone else. They just laughed dismissing my words as humor and said it it’s too late. The man they wanted to
introduce me to was right behind me. I waved my hands profusely saying no, I am not kidding, I have met the
man of my dreams. So right about then they turned me around and there he was the man I had heard so much
about at work. For weeks the girls were telling me about him, and him about me. They were definitely trying to be
match makers. So I took a deep breath and turned around. There he was, that handsome man from the bar, the
prince, the one and only true love that I had met just hours before. It was FCC Juan C. Sanchez, the man I had
planned to spend the rest of my life with after just meeting him. I know it sounds crazy, but we both knew that it
wasn’t. We dated for two years, and married. Two years later we had our second child Selena.
We celebrated our fourteenth anniversary this year as husband and wife. We have had many good memorable
times, as well as bad, but we are still together and very much in love.
We attend any and all of the Navy Balls, Christmas parties, and take part in a lot of activities that the Navy has to
offer. We love God, our family, Navy family, our Country, and friends dearly, and are thankful for every aspect of
our lives.
I must say in closing of this story of How I Met My Sailor,” each and every time I dance with my husband, it takes
me back to that day we met at Baha’s Beach club in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and I fall in love all over again
on the dance floor. “
4

5. How I met my Sailor-FC3 Josh Laster
By Michelle Truett
I met my sailor when I was in the 8th grade he was in the 11th grade. When I
was in middle school I wasn't very good in math so the high school would let the
people in advanced math classes tutor the people who weren’t good in math,
Josh was my tutor! I used to wear cute stuff to try to get him to notice me but
he wouldn't. When I came to high school I would see Josh in the halls and my
heart would start to beat faster but all he would do would say hey or smile.
Sometimes he would take my hair down if I was wearing it in a pony tail, just
flirting! After he graduated we lost touch until Christmas 2010. I was working
at Wal-Mart and he was walking out of the restroom with his little brother,
who I was friends with in high school also. We started talking on Facebook and
after a few days I knew he was the one I was going to spend the rest of my life
with! January 1, 2012 will be our 1 year anniversary, and he won’t be here! I
miss my sailor so much! Every night I dream of the day I will see him walk of
that ship and into each other’s arms where we belong.
5

6. DECEMBER CRAFT
Compiled by Meagan Snyder
Oh no! One of Santa's elves forgot to take his shoes with him after his visit! Hang them up on your
Christmas tree in case he comes back to look for them.
What you'll need:
 ½ sheet green felt
 3" square piece of red glitter felt
 6 medium silver pom poms
 8" piece of green yarn
 Felt glue
 Scissors
 Pattern
How to make it:
1. Cut two shoes from the green felt and two cuffs from the red glitter felt using the pattern (see
image).
2. Glue the red cuffs to the tops of the green shoes (see image).
3. Glue two silver pom-poms to the points on the cuff, repeat for other shoe. Glue the remaining two
pom poms to the points of the shoes. Let dry.
4. Glue yarn to the back of each shoe, creating a hanger (see image).
5. Lay the shoes on the work surface and position on shoe layered over the other. When you have
them how you want them, glue them together.
(Courtesy of Kaboose.com)
6

7. UPCOMING CEILIS & EVENTS
What is a Ceili (kay-lee)? A Ceili is simply a social gathering. During deployment and throughout the year,
the Ombudsmen host Ceilis to foster friendship and camaraderie throughout the families and Sailors of
USS The Sullivans.
18 December 14 January-Ceili 18 February-Ceili
-Spouses’ Night Out
2-4pm 2-4pm
7pm Location: TBD Location: TBD
Location: Ted’s Montana Valentines for the ship
Grill,
St. Johns Town Center
USEFUL LINKS AND INFO
Military HOME FRONT: MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense
website for official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program
information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and their
families, leaders, and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle
or support those who do, you'll find what you need.
Their website is: http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/
FREE PACKING SUPPLIES FROM THE US POSTAL SERVICE: The United
States Postal Service (USPS) will supply for free, to anyone who asks,
specially packaged Priority Mail supplies for shipping "care kits" to members of
the U.S. military stationed overseas. Each supply kit includes the following:
4 Priority Mail Flat-Rate "shoe box" 10 Priority Mail labels
6 Priority Mail Flat-Rate "garment box" 1 roll of Priority Mail tape
10 customs forms with envelopes
To obtain a free kit of shipping supplies, simply call the USPS' packing
supplies order line at 1-800-610-8734, select option #1 ("Express Mail, Priority
Mail or Global Express Guaranteed products"), and ask a customer service
agent for CAREKIT04 (or a "military kit"). You need supply only your name,
address, and phone number, and they'll get a kit off to you that should arrive
within 7-10 days. We've tried this service ourselves: it was easy to use, the
USPS customer service agent we dealt with was courteous and efficient, and
we were supplied with a customer ID number to expedite the process of
ordering additional supplies. (This offer includes only packing materials —
senders who use these materials still have to pay postage for the actual
mailing of care packages.)
7

8. Sullivans Sailors providing some musical stress
relief during swim call. Band members: HMC
Larson, GM2 Naff, FC2 Grate and EM3 Porter
[Photo provided by USS The Sullivans FB page]
9 November 2011: CO Steele and CO
Armstrong enjoying some humor during the
Change of Command Ceremony.
[Photo provided by USS The Sullivans FB page]
13 November 2011: Five USS The Sullivans
Sailors carry wreaths to represent the five
Sullivan brothers in a remembrance ceremony of
the 69th anniversary of the sinking of USS
JUNEAU (CL 52)
[Photo provided by USS The Sullivans FB page]
8

9. 10 November 2011: Memorial Wreath laid by DD
537/DDG 68 Association at The Sullivans Brothers
memorial in Waterloo, IA.
[Photo provided by John Mataka- DD 537 Association]
November 2011: The CA (Combat Acoustics)
division hard at work during an exercise.
[Photo provided by USS The Sullivans FB page]
9

10. OMBUDSMEN CONTACT INFORMATION
MEAGAN SNYDER: EMAIL: PROUDSULLIVANSWIFE@GMAIL.COM PHONE: (904) 403-0048
SARAH WESTER: EMAIL: SULLIVANSOMBUDSMAN@GMAIL.COM PHONE: (904) 955-7864
WEBSITE: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SULLIVANS.OMBUDSMAN
CARELINE (RECORDED MESSAGE): Toll Free: 1-888-799-8081
THE SHIP’S ADDRESS IS:
USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68)
FPO AA 34093-1287
HELPFUL SHIP, BASE AND LOCAL COMMUNITY CONTACTS
USS THE SULLIVANS QUARTERDECK:
(904) 270-7981 AMERICAN RED CROSS:
(877) 272-7337 (toll-free)
CENTRAL MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS: When calling the Red Cross, please provide as
(904) 542-4677 much of the following information about the
service member as is known:
NS Mayport Medical Clinic:
(904) 270-4303  Full name
 Rank/rating
Fleet and Family Support Center:  Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air
(904) 270-6600 Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
 Social Security Account number or date
Base Chapel: of birth
(904) 270-5212  Military address
 Information about the deployed unit and
ITT Office: home base unit (for deployed service
(904) 270-5145 members only)
Outdoor Recreation: USO (United Services Organization):
(904) 270-5221 http://www.uso.org
Youth Center: Mayport USO
(904) 270-5680 2560 Mayport Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Child Development Center: Phone: 904-246-3481
Off-base-(904) 270-7740
NAS Jacksonville USO
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS): Building 1050 (on NAS Jax)
(904) 270-5418 Jacksonville, FL 32212-0108
Pass and ID (Main Gate/decals): Phone: 904-778-2821
(904) 270-5585
Base Security: (904) 270-5583
10

11. One of the most wonderful ways to help others and yourself at the same time is to volunteer!
Here is a substantial list of organizations that are eager for your help this holiday season!
These are also a great way for any high school students to gain those required volunteer hours!
[List courtesy of Folio Weekly Holiday edition]
GINGERBREAD HOUSES CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY
The ninth annual Gingerbread House Extravaganza This children’s event needs folks to hand out new toys,
displays holiday houses from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Nov. donated by sponsor companies and regular folks, to
30-Dec. 22 at Jacksonville Historical Society, located almost 8,000 kids 12 years old and younger at the 13th
at the Old St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 317 annual gathering held from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Dec.
Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville. The more than 30 10 at Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water
gingerbread houses are created by local chefs, St., Jacksonville. 350-1616. ccpoj.org
architects and civic organizations. Proceeds benefit the
Society. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids ages 3- J.P. HALL CHARITIES CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS
16 and free for kids younger than 2. The Victorian PARTY
Merrill Museum House is open from 1:30-3:30 p.m. for The 30th annual children’s event is held from 8 a.m.-
tours. 665-0064. jaxhistory.com noon on Dec. 17 at Clay County Fairgrounds, 2497
S.R. 16 W., Green Cove Springs. Open to any Clay
HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS County kids up to 14 years old, the party features new
Bereavement specialists lead discussions and group toys, food and entertainment. 284-7398.
exercises on coping with grief from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
on Dec. 3 at Acosta-Rua Center for Caring, 5450 BEAM MINISTRIES
Ramona Blvd., Jacksonville; at McGraw Center for 850 Sixth Ave. S., Ste. 400, Jax Beach, 241-7437
Caring, 4715 Worrall Way, Mayo Clinic campus, jaxbeam.org
Jacksonville and Flagler Hospital’s Cancer Education Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry holds a
and Support Center, 400 Health Park Blvd., St. Thanksgiving basket giveaway to registered clients on
Augustine. The group also meets from 6:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 18, 21 and 22 and needs packages of food and
Dec. 5 at Neviaser Educational Institute of Community grocery store gift cards for a turkey, ham or other main
Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Bldg. 100, course for the traditional meal, as well as volunteers to
Jacksonville. 268-5200. put it all together. BEAM is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on
Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fri., or call 994-1217 to
TREE OF LIFE CELEBRATION schedule a drop-off.
The 31st annual Tree of Life Celebration is held from
5:30-7 p.m. on Dec. 8 at Community Hospice’s Hadlow BETTY GRIFFIN HOUSE
Center, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville. Each of Crisis Hotline 824-1555
the more than 60,000 lights on the tree represents the info@bettygriffinhouse.org
life of a person cared for in Community Hospice’s 30 Betty Griffin House provides safe emergency shelter to
years of service. A candlelight Service of abused women and their minor children, and victims of
Remembrance is featured. Proceeds benefit rape, as well as counseling, support groups, legal
Community Hospice Foundation. 886-3883. assistance, community education and advocacy
programs. To see the group’s current wish list go to
TOYS FOR TOTS ROLLER DERBY http://bit.ly/uLxEaY
The New Jax City Rollers Team Naughty skates
against Team Nice at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Jax Ice
Sports Complex, 3605 Philips Highway, Jacksonville.
Admission is $10 and a new, unwrapped toy. Doors
open at 6:30 p.m. 357-0102.
11

12. THE BRIDGE OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA THE INN MINISTRY
1824 N. Pearl St., Jacksonville, 354-7799 The Inn Ministry’s annual Christmas Party for pregnant
The Bridge is in need of food for Thanksgiving and gifts women and mothers with young children features gift-
for Christmas. The Thanksgiving drive for food and sharing and a visit from Santa from 1-4 p.m. on Dec.
turkey gift certificates runs now through Nov. 21; the 18 at the German American Club, 4165 Lakeside
Christmas drive to sponsor a family runs now through Drive, Jacksonville. Volunteers help with food,
Dec. 19. For more information, call 354-7799 ext. 137. managing games for young children and distributing
toys. Donations of toys, gifts and clothes are needed.
BRIGHT HOLIDAYS OF JACKSONVILLE INC. 388-7730.
24532 Deer Trace Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, 280- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOOD DRIVE
2163 This food-distribution program needs help offloading
Bright Holidays needs volunteers in early December to trucks full of groceries and distributing the donated,
shop, wrap and deliver gifts of clothing, food, school non-perishable foodstuffs to more than 3,000 families
supplies and other essentials. Pssst, high school on Jacksonville’s Eastside. 633-2258 or 633-6590.
students: It’s an easy way to earn service hours.
brightholidays.org JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
6261 Dupont Station Court E., Jacksonville, 448-1933
CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA The food pantry needs canned food donations and
P.O. Box 5616, Jacksonville FL 32247, 493-7738 volunteers to help sort and stock the items. Its Jewish
Provides foster care, adoption, parenting education Healing Network program needs volunteers to visit
and child-abuse prevention services to children and others who are ill.
families in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns
counties. The Home Society needs monetary MISTER ROGERS SWEATER DRIVE
donations to provide a family with a Thanksgiving Drop off new or clean, used sweaters, coats and
basket, as well as gift certificates, new toys and blankets through Nov. 30 at WJCT Public Broadcasting
volunteers to wrap donated gifts for Christmas. For the Studios, 100 Festival Park Ave., Jacksonville, at all
Wish List of a child in need, go to chsfl.org First Coast VyStar Credit Union locations, at Two Men
and a Truck, 8849 Arlington Expressway, and all
EPISCOPAL CHILDREN’S SERVICES Community Hospice locations. Donations are
8443 Baymeadows Road, Ste. 1, Jacksonville, 726- distributed to St. Vincent’s Mobile Outreach Ministry
1500 (which serves migrant workers), Clara White Mission,
The ECS’ Holiday Outreach Program helps children and other First Coast nonprofits serving the needy.
and families in Northeast Florida providing early 358-6314. wjct.org
childhood education and social services. The ECS
needs monetary donations and Winn-Dixie gift NORTH JAX WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER
certificates for holiday meals. 12456 Sago Ave. W., Jacksonville, 696-9100
The Center provides help to pregnant women,
HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE including teenagers and single mothers who need food
165 Wells Road, Ste. 301, Orange Park, 215-8520 and clothing for their babies. Baby clothing, maternity
The “Be a Santa to a Senior” program collects, wraps clothes, gift cards and donations for a new facility are
and delivers gifts to needy area seniors. Giving Trees needed. To see a list of specific needs, go to
for donating are available through mid-December at http://bit.ly/taGBoN
various locations throughout Northeast Florida.
beasantatoasenior.com P.A.C.E. CENTER FOR GIRLS
1 W. Adams St., Jacksonville, 421-8585
HOPE WORLDWIDE The P.A.C.E. Center needs volunteers to tutor girls and
The Jacksonville chapter of HOPE needs volunteers to young women (ages 12-18) in math, English and
help unload toys from noon-2 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Prime reading, and to help provide program enrichment
Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water St., activities, Mon.-Fri. between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Jacksonville. 292-2535. ?hopeww.org/jacksonville Donations of gift cards for food and clothing are also
needed. To make a donation or for more information,
visit pacecenter.org.
12

13. OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD USO GREATER JACKSONVILLE AREA
Volunteers collect shoebox gifts packed by local 2560 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach, 246-3481
individuals, and send them to needy children around NAS JAX, Yorktown Gate, Bldg. 1050, 778-2821
the world, at collection sites throughout Northeast Welcome Center, JAX International Airport, 741-6655
Florida. samaritanspurse.org/OCC The USO, serving active duty members of the military
and their families in Northeast Florida, needs monetary
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK donations for food baskets, supplies and children’s
Part of Lutheran Social Services, Second Harvest toys. jaxuso.org
needs volunteers to stock, pull orders and help with
general upkeep. Monetary gifts are welcome. 1502 WASTE NOT WANT NOT
Jessie St., Jacksonville. 448-5995 or ?353-3663. P.O. Box 119, Orange Park, 215-3150
This volunteer-based group collects and provides food
TOYS FOR TOTS to organizations serving the homeless and hungry, low-
Marine Toys For Tots Foundation needs new, income families and seniors, people with disabilities
unwrapped toys, but they also need folks to gather, and at-risk youths. Monetary donations and volunteers
sort and distribute them to deserving kids. 714-7472. are needed. wastenotflorida.com
jax.t4t@gmail.com
SOUP KITCHENS & RESCUE MISSIONS
CITY RESCUE MISSION
Jacksonville’s City Rescue Mission needs volunteers to help with mailouts, holiday meal serving, data entry, phone
calls and gift wrapping. Thanksgiving dinner is held from noon-3 p.m. on Nov. 23 and Christmas dinner is from noon-3
p.m. on Dec. 23, at New Life Inn, 234 W. State St., downtown. The mission, located at 426 S. McDuff Ave.,
Jacksonville, holds an open house from noon-1:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, featuring tours and light snacks. On Nov. 19, the
Mission will have a booth at Riverside Arts Market to collect socks, canned goods and white twin sheet sets. On Dec.
3, students from Paul Mitchell school give holiday haircuts at the McDuff campus. On Dec. 10 from 9 a.m.-noon,
Santa’s on hand for photos at the Thrift Store, 5342 Normandy Blvd. And they’re giving away full and king-size
mattress and box-spring sets; first come, first served. On Nov. 23 and Dec. 23, donate your old coats to City Rescue
Mission at area Burlington stores. 387-4357.
CLARA WHITE MISSION
Community volunteers serve Thanksgiving dinner to homeless and disadvantaged families at the Mission, 613 W.
Ashley St., Jacksonville. The 107-year-old Jacksonville mission needs donations of food and/or money to help the
program offer its two-meals-a-day service. Feed the City is held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 19, Celebrate the Mission
dinner is held from 2-5 p.m. on Nov. 20, and the Thanksgiving Day Breakfast is from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Nov. 24. 354-
4162. clarawhitemission.org
I.M. SULZBACHER CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS
Volunteers are needed to amass toys and ToysRUs gift cards, blankets, watches, cold-weather clothing, hygienic
products and non-perishable food items. The center is located at 611 E. Adams St., Jacksonville. 359-0457 or 359-
0657. sulzbachercenter.org
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The need for Thanksgiving Baskets grows each year; the organization is getting some help this year from Intuition Ale.
A “dry” basket of items families may use to cook their dinner may include a gift card for a ham or turkey ($15-$20 for
Walmart or Publix), a pan, canned vegetables, chicken broth, fried onion bits, elbow macaroni, evaporated milk,
marshmallows, potatoes, rice, gravy, cranberry sauce, dressing, cooking oil, flour, sugar, paper towels and tea bags.
Deliver your assembled basket to Intuition Ale, 720 King St., Jacksonville, by Nov. 19 and you’ll get a $30 certificate for
their taproom brew. Call Intuition at 683-7720; Community Connections at 350-9949. communityconnectionsjax.org
13

14. JACKSONVILLE YOUTH SANCTUARY
4570 St. Johns Ave., Ste. 3, Jacksonville, 389-5231
The Sanctuary provides residential group care to foster children (13-17 years old), and provides housing, education,
life skills training and mentoring to youths 18-23 years old who have aged out of foster care. Christmas gifts, holiday
food and monetary donations are needed. jaxyouth.org
MISSION HOUSE
800 Shetter Ave., Jax Beach, 241-6767
This day facility, serving the homeless from Mayport to St. Johns County, provides meals, showers, clothing vouchers,
medical care, case management and referrals. The Mission House is in need of funding to support its programs.
missionhousejax.org
ST. FRANCIS HOUSE
70 Washington St., St. Augustine, 829-8937
This homeless resource, food pantry, soup kitchen and emergency housing shelter, serving 200 hot lunches daily,
accepts donations of time, money, sponsorships or handyman skills. stfrancisshelter.org
ST. FRANCIS SOUP KITCHEN
134 E. Church St., downtown Jacksonville, 356-2902 or 359-0331
Operated by Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the 30-plus-year-old soup kitchen serves food at 7 and 10 a.m.
every Saturday, with clothing distribution from 8-10 a.m., canned goods at 10 a.m. stfrancissoupkitchenjax.org
SALVATION ARMY
328 N. Ocean St., Jacksonville, 301-4846
The Salvation Army needs Red Kettle bellringers, sorters, meal servers on Christmas Day, Adopt-a-Family
participants, Angel Tree toy shop workers and volunteers to help with year-round local programs. A Thanksgiving meal
is served on Nov. 24, a Christmas meal is served on Dec. 24. uss.salvationarmy.org
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
The pantry serves 9,000 families — approximately 27,000 individuals — every year. Food donations are needed.
Nonperishable food items are accepted. 2969 Park St., Jacksonville. 389-5341. trinity4jax.org
YOUTH CRISIS CENTER
3015 Parental Home Road, Jacksonville,
1-877-720-0007 or 904- 720-0002
The Center shelters homeless, runaway and abandoned children (ages 10-17), provides counseling and attempts to
reunite families. Needed items include coats, sweaters, jeans, shoes, CD players, watches, journals, educational
games, arts-and-crafts materials, and backpacks. youthcrisiscenter.org
COLD WEATHER SHELTERS
Salvation Army, 356-8641
St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church, 249-4091
Community Presbyterian Church, 249-8698
St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 249-2600
Palms Presbyterian Church, 270-1089
Jacksonville Beach Church of Christ, 246-2457
14