![\"Christopher](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Beyond-the-Ballrooms-Kuo-1800w.jpg\")
Christopher Kuo with Michelle Chen Kuo<\/p>\nGood neighbors, big milestones and plenty worth sharing<\/p>\n
Jacksonville\u2019s generosity doesn\u2019t always arrive with a giant check \u2013 although this month, one did. A San Marco concert set a giving record, Hubbard House is celebrating half a century of service, and a downtown nonprofit is making room to help more neighbors. Add some new faces in leadership and big plans for the months ahead, and there\u2019s plenty to talk about this month.<\/p>\n
As we prepare the next edition of Circles, themed \u201cGiving Is Changing,\u201d one thing is clear: Jacksonville keeps finding new ways to show up for its neighbors. Here\u2019s who\u2019s making news, and making a difference.<\/p>\n
A High Note for Breakthrough T1D<\/p>\n
The San Marco Chamber Music Society hit a particularly generous high note in September. Led by Eric and Ellen Olson, the society performed a benefit concert for Breakthrough T1D. The result: a $14,717 contribution, the society\u2019s largest-ever donation, according to Breakthrough T1D. The check was presented recently to Breakthrough T1D Board Member Leslie Burkhalter.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit\u2019s Jacksonville Gala takes place Nov. 14, World Diabetes Day, and its next Jacksonville Walk is set for April 10, 2027. Two more opportunities to help turn community support into progress toward a cure for type 1 diabetes.<\/p>\n
More Room for Neighbors in Need<\/p>\n
Big changes are ahead for Downtown Ecumenical Services Council (DESC). Its $3.6 million DESC Rising campaign is fully funded, and the organization expects to open a new 10,000-square-foot home at 956 N. Liberty St. in January 2027.<\/p>\n
The new facility will expand food, clothing and emergency financial assistance, along with the Help Hub for referrals, coaching and transportation. Baptist Health has awarded DESC a $160,000 grant to support the pantry and Help Hub. In 2025, DESC supplied groceries to 7,581 people and clothing to 6,543 people. More space will allow the organization to expand services for neighbors in need.<\/p>\n
Two Pianos, One Purpose<\/p>\n
The musical partnership between mother Michelle Chen Kuo and son Christopher Kuo has taken them to Carnegie Hall and helped raise more than $3 million for nonprofits. But one of their longest-standing relationships is right here, with Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida (LSS).<\/p>\n
Christopher Kuo with Michelle Chen Kuo<\/p>\n
Their latest Jacksonville benefit was scheduled for Oct. 24 at Jacksonville University\u2019s Terry Concert Hall, with proceeds designated for LSS programs addressing food insecurity, resettlement and family stability. The partnership comes at a particularly important time as LSS faces shortages at its food pantry.<\/p>\n
A Gift That Can Keep on Giving<\/p>\n
Artist and philanthropist Brette Petway has committed $500,000 over five years to the Women\u2019s Center of Jacksonville. Her unrestricted gift will match qualifying multiyear donations dollar for dollar, potentially generating $1 million in private support.<\/p>\n
The center also received a $461,710 state appropriation for its Sexual Assault Forensic Exam program. Together, the funding offers immediate help and something less visible but just as valuable: room to plan for the future.<\/p>\n
50 Years of Life-Saving Work<\/p>\n
Hubbard House is marking a milestone: 50 years of helping local survivors of domestic violence find safety and a path forward. The organization says it has served more than 168,000 survivors and their children since opening Florida\u2019s first dedicated domestic violence shelter in 1976.<\/p>\n
![\"Hubbard](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Beyond-the-Ballrooms-Hubbard-House-logo-800w.jpg\"){kind=logo}
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Its anniversary brings a new bridge-inspired logo and the tagline \u201cLife-Saving. Life-Changing.\u201d A yearlong \u201cSince Hubbard Street\u201d campaign will highlight the organization\u2019s history and services. The celebration will include the Anchored in Hope gala Feb. 27, 2027, at the Florida Yacht Club. The Hubbard House Foundation is also marking its 20th anniversary.<\/p>\n
City Rescue Mission Prepares for a New Chapter<\/p>\n
![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Beyond-the-Ballrooms-Paul-Stasi-800w.jpg\")
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After 11 years with City Rescue Mission, CEO Paul Stasi has announced plans to retire. Stasi, who has served as CEO since January 2021, will remain through July 31, 2027, while the board conducts a national search for his successor. The mission has served Northeast Florida for more than 80 years.<\/p>\n
The mission says its programs and services will continue without interruption. Board Chair Craig Henderson praised Stasi\u2019s leadership, compassion and commitment to the people the organization serves. Stasi said he remains committed to guiding the mission through the transition.<\/p>\n
A Bigger World, A Stronger Jacksonville<\/p>\n
Jacksonville had its own Global City Day on Oct. 20, proclaimed by Mayor Donna Deegan. The recognition came during a World Affairs Council of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Civic Council luncheon that drew 160 civic and business leaders to hear former U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti in conversation with Civic Council President and CEO Dennis Whittle.<\/p>\n
The conversation focused on how Jacksonville\u2019s global connections can translate into opportunities for residents. The World Affairs Council\u2019s next event is a Nov. 3 Global Medical Innovation Series program in partnership with Mayo Clinic, featuring artificial intelligence expert Micky Tripathi.<\/p>\n
Baptist Earns Stroke Honors<\/p>\n
The American Heart Association has awarded its Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award \u2013 its highest recognition for stroke care \u2013 to all five Baptist Health adult hospitals. According to Matthew A. Zuino, Baptist Health president and CEO, Baptist Health has spent more than a decade developing its comprehensive stroke network.<\/p>\n
Less Screen, More Green<\/p>\n
Project One Health JAX marked three years and a leadership transition. October launched with $6.1 million in seed support from the Winston Family Foundation. The initiative is moving into a new phase led by the Children & Nature Network and community partners, with support from the University of North Florida.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Beyond-the-Ballrooms-One-Health-JAX-1800w.jpg\")
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In its first full year of evaluated neighborhood programming, the initiative reached more than 470 young people at 13 sites and delivered more than 4,300 hours of screen-free, nature-based activities. The Winston Family Foundation also announced plans to become four separate philanthropic organizations led by its trustees.<\/p>\n
A First Round for Screening<\/p>\n
The Borland Groover Foundation\u2019s inaugural Fore! To Get Screened tournament brought supporters to King & Bear Golf Course on Oct. 2. Proceeds will support colorectal cancer screening access, including colonoscopy vouchers for underinsured patients, and assistance of up to $5,000 for eligible patients facing treatment-related expenses. The foundation hopes the tournament will become a recurring event alongside its March To Get Screened 5K.<\/p>\n
![\"Participants](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Beyond-the-Ballrooms-Fore-To-Get-Screened-1800w.jpg\")
Participants gather on the course during the Borland Groover Foundation\u2019s inaugural Fore! To Get Screened golf tournament at King and Bear Golf Course.<\/p>\n
A Four-Legged Hero Gets His Own Mini-Me<\/p>\n
Meet Stone, a Jacksonville-based golden retriever with a serious job \u2013 and now, a stuffed-animal look-alike. Stone and his handler, John Long, travel the country responding to disasters, including the Surfside condominium collapse. He is one of three working dogs honored in Firehouse Subs\u2019 new K-9 Crew plush collection.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Beyond-the-Ballrooms-Stone-plushie-1800w.jpg\")
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The limited-edition dogs went on sale Oct. 28, National First Responders Day, at participating Firehouse Subs restaurants for $9.95 each, while supplies last. All net profits benefit the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which reports awarding more than $112 million in equipment and resources to first responders since 2005.<\/p>\n
Miles with a Mission<\/p>\n
Nearly 100 participants came out to the Jacksonville Equestrian Center on Oct. 3 to participate in the 10th annual Freed to Run, supporting Jacksonville Area Legal Aid\u2019s Shelter for Elders Endowment. A range of different races offered something for everyone running to raise funds for housing-related legal services for vulnerable seniors facing various threats to stable housing.<\/p>\n
![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Beyond-the-Ballrooms-Freed-to-Run-1800w.jpg\")
Mike Freed, founder of Freed to Run, holds a commemorative plaque celebrating a decade of impact at the 2026 event.<\/p>\n
A Son\u2019s Legacy, A Mother\u2019s Mission<\/p>\n
Volunteers joined Natasha Jackson for the inaugural Care Package Outreach event on Sept. 27 for Matthew\u2019s Legacy of Light Foundation. One hundred care packages were distributed to seniors and people experiencing homelessness. The nonprofit is founded in memory of Jackson\u2019s son, Matthew, whom she lost to gun violence last year; it transforms her loss into action through gun violence advocacy, outreach, mental health awareness and youth support.<\/p>\n
![\"Volunteers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Beyond-the-Ballrooms-Care-Package-Outreach-1800w.jpg\")
Volunteers join Natasha Jackson for Matthew\u2019s Legacy of Light\u2019s inaugural Care Package Outreach to distribute 100 care packages throughout the community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Good neighbors, big milestones and plenty worth sharing Jacksonville\u2019s generosity doesn\u2019t always arrive with a giant check \u2013…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":444907,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[116,118,117],"class_list":["post-444906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville-headlines","tag-jacksonville-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444906","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=444906"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444906\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/444907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=444906"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=444906"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=444906"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}