Mission House celebrated its 20th anniversary with a look to its past, present and future Feb. 25 as the nonprofit opened its doors and invited the community to see its work first-hand.
Featuring self-guided tours, a special presentation of Mission House success stories and a table stocked full of cakes and treats, the open house also included a presentation by Executive Director Lori Delgado Anderson, who discussed the work of turning the nonprofit’s fortunes around in hard numbers. In the last year alone, Mission House has assisted more than 1,500 adults and children, provided more than 45,000 meals in the Cay and Andre Dining Hall, managed the cases of nearly 250 homeless adults and treated more than 2,000 uninsured patients for free.
Anderson presented certificates of appreciation to community leaders who were instrumental in support of Mission House, among them Atlantic Beach Interim Chief of Police Victor Gualillo, Atlantic Beach Mayor Mitch Reeves, Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown, Neptune Beach Vice Mayor Scott Wiley, Neptune Beach Chief of Police Richard Pike, Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham, Jacksonville Beach City Manager George Forbes and Jacksonville Beach Chief of Police Pat Dooley.
Anderson extended her sincere thanks to everyone involved in Mission House’s successes over its two decades in operation, including its staff and some 500 volunteers who make the work of the organization possible, as she reiterated the impact they’ve had in Jacksonville Beach.
“We truly, truly thank the volunteers, the local businesses, churches and people who’ve helped make this happen,” she said. “It couldn’t be done without the help of all of you.”
Anderson also announced Mission House’s new $1,000,000 Charitable Endowment Fund with Raymond James, an endowment created in memory of past president and volunteer James A. Shields to ensure basic services such as hot water for showers, meals and general operations for the future. Gifts of $10,000 or more enable donors to become part of the Circle of Hope. Mission House is committed to matching up to $50,000 in individual donations to the endowment for gifts made prior to May 31.
