Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
March 3, 2017 1:00 a.m.
Several months ago, in an effort to promote community service within our own community, I offered the concept of Fernandina First- taking a few hours on the first day of each month for a community service project. The concept remains still simply a concept, but in the effort to move the concept closer to reality, I have had the remarkable pleasure of meeting many community caregivers and learning of their organizations.
For the most part, it can be assumed that Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island can be considered relatively affluent- we have well-regarded restaurants and shops, resort–style accommodations, municipal facilities such as an airport, a marina, a golf course, recreation centers, and miles of remarkable beaches. We have notable schools and beautiful homes.
What we also have are areas in need. Those needs, whether they be housing, food, medical care, transportation, emotional support, are being addressed by a large number of staff and volunteers for a wide-range of organizations. Ms. Nicole Bednar, operating out of the City Manager’s office, has attempt to “herd these cats” into developing a community synergy.
We’d schedule a meeting and a few groups and individuals would attend. We discuss the philosophy of assisting and sharing with our neighbors in need. We’d schedule another meeting, but we’d then draw a different group and reaffirm the philosophy. Everyone is fully onboard with the philosophy of recognizing and addressing the needs of our neighbors. The efforts of the groups, while successful by many measures, still seemed fractured- some groups (and individuals such as myself) were unaware of the existence, mission, and outreach of other groups. A common refrain was that the groups practice self-sacrifice and service, not self-promotion.
At the invitation of Ms. Christine Raysor, another small group gathered last week at the local offices of the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency. Ms. Raysor wanted to organize a “random acts of kindness” day to support a neighborhood in need. Several ideas were discussed and considered, but the only definitive result of the effort was the selection of the date of the event. The first date proposed was Earth Day, April 22, perhaps shaping the event as a beautification effort- trees, bushes, flowers. That same day is the City’s annual recycling event, and a new element (as of last year) of that event is the collection of food to support the Barnabas food pantry. It was determined that the two events should be conducted simultaneously.
Early dates in May were discounted due to the annual Shrimp Festival and Mother’s Day. Later days in May were eliminated due to the lateness of the season for planting. The inaugural date for this inaugural event was then selected to be April 29, squeezed neatly between the recycling event (which can be used to promote the new event) and the Shrimp Festival.
A subsequent meeting earlier this week resulted in the question of “Who are we to determine what is best needed in a neighborhood?” A small cadre of volunteers will now poll several central neighborhoods to discover what may be needed- is it yard work, minor repairs, beautification, or something else? The results of the poll will provide insight as to what we’ll actually do on April 29.
The group discussed the use of a meal to build community, especially a meal centered in the area of this event. A suggestion was made to host a simple pancake breakfast, drawing neighborhood residents and volunteers together. It is hoped that additional agencies or groups could assist with supplies, equipment, and cooking. Concern was voiced about closing a street for this “block party,” but I assured them that I knew someone at the City that might be able to coordinate such a closure.
At the benevolent dictatorial direction of Ms. Raysor, I was appointed head of the Publicity Committee (actually, for now, I am the entirety of that Committee). This is our first outreach message.
We are seeking volunteers for an inaugural April 29 (yet-to-be-named) neighborhood community action and service event- mainly, please mark your calendars. This event will likely be in the vicinity of the Peck Center and Southside Elementary School. Monetary donations to support the event are also welcome and should be directed to the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, a 501(c)3 organization. Ms. Raysor has opted to become the primary point of contact for this effort, and she can be reached via email at [email protected]. We are planning to meet weekly on Thursdays at noon at the Community Action Agency office, 1303 Jasmine Street, Suite 100, to continue our coordination efforts. Although this is an inaugural event, we hope to continue such efforts on a quarterly basis.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to sharing more information as things come into focus.