by Florida Times-Union

- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida's Holiday Adoption event was hosted by Fred Taylor, running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars . Employees adopted a specific family or made donations of clothing, toys and food baskets for the agencies to distribute. Nearly 500 children and 61 families were given a brighter holiday. Taylor donated $5,000.

- Homeless children at the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless were given a pizza party by Maurice Drew and his family. He spent time signing autographs and gave out Jaguars gift bags.

- The U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program received nearly 300 toys from The Grimes Cos. through a company-wide toy drive. Elisa Garcia and Patty Vehmeyer spearheaded the first-time effort between the company's two locations at the Ellis Road office and Hyatt Road headquarters.

- The Pick an Angel Foundation has received $15,000 for its Angel Tree program from Pulte Homes Jacksonville. The Angel Tree program, in coordination with The Salvation Army, assists less-fortunate families during the holiday season.

- The Salvation Army Hope House, formally Hope Ministries, has a permanent home at 410 S. Ninth St., Fernandina Beach. The organization has occupied the property for the past 12 years. Recently, Buddy Jacobs, an attorney in Fernandina Beach, transferred the deed to The Salvation Army.

- Second Harvest Food Bank received a donation of $10,000 from SunTrust Bank last month.

-Compiled by Cindy Holifield

Send questions on this column to cindy.holifield@jacksonville.com or call 359-4295.

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