Barnabas Center, Inc. Newsletter
Barnabas Bylines
January 2017

Connecting People, Help and Hope

 

   
Pictured left to right: Lynne Starling, Volunteer Coordinator 
and Wanda Lanier, President & CEO 

Barnabas Named Non Profit of the Year and Healthy Business 
of the Year  by AIFBY Chamber

Barnabas Center was named Non Profit of the Year and Healthy Business of the Year at the recent Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Dinner at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation. This year's non-profit award, started by the chamber three years ago, marks the second time Barnabas has been chosen to receive the award. "Our entire Barnabas team is deserving of this community recognition," said Wanda Lanier, Barnabas president and CEO. "We want to thank the chamber for these awards."


 
Barnabas Center Annual Meeting: Monday, February 20 at 4 p.m.

  
We invite you to attend Barnabas Center's Annual Meeting on Monday, February 20, at 4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 1200 Elm Street in Fernandina Beach. We'll be celebrating our 30th Anniversary, sharing a special announcement (you won't want to miss this) and providing a tribute to Dr. Tom Washburn, founder of the Samaritan Clinic.  Please plan to join us! There will be food provided by The Picnic Basket and entertainment by The Peck Community Ensemble.  For more information, contact Tania R. Yount, Chief Development Officer, at (904) 261-7000 ext. 107.



We are Deeply Grateful for Outpouring of Donations
During Holidays

Our community's generosity during November and December resulted in 648 children and 1,462 adults receiving food, including turkeys and other traditional holiday food items. Food collections and donations filled the Barnabas Food Pantry from local schools, organizations, businesses and restaurants, totaling nearly 50,000 pounds.

"This year's holiday food support came from every corner of our community," said Robert Peck, Barnabas food pantry coordinator. "We distributed 47,523 pounds of food to 1,050 families, which helped make their holidays                                                a little happier."

Barnabas is thankful for every donation, large and small, throughout the year. To learn more about how you can support our Food Pantry, please contact Robert Peck at (904) 261-7000 ext. 121.



Barnabas Partners with Adopt-A-Family 
 to Give Gifts to 48 Families

Pictured left to right: Bonnie Sabala, Michelle Fisher, Jill Brown, Michael Pavarini and Carly Sullivan

This year's Adopt-A-Family collaboration between Barnabas and the Nassau County Volunteer Center lead to 48 local families receiving Christmas gifts for their children.  

"Our community's generosity was extraordinary this year," said Linda Ellis , Barnabas Chief Program Officer. "We increased the number of families by 18 and are sure there were lots of smiling faces on Christmas morning." 
 
In addition, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort employees (pictured above) once again adopted four Barnabas families for Christmas. "We worked closely with the Omni to provide Christmas wish lists for the children of our Barnabas families," said Ellis. "We are very grateful for their annual support during holiday time."  Omni employees enjoyed collecting, sorting and wrapping the items for the children and their families.

 


Cooking Matters Fall Class Graduates Treated to a Special Lesson from a local Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Chef

Pictured left to right: Robert Peck and Dennis Vanterpool


When Robert Peck, Barnabas Cooking Matters program coordinator, introduced Dennis Vanterpool, chef tournant at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, the students applauded and anticipated a very special final class in their six-week program. The Cooking Matters course includes nutritional education and hands-on cooking instruction designed to help low to moderate income individuals learn how to prepare tasty and healthy affordable meals.

As Vanterpool introduced himself, his captivating Caribbean dialect added to the excitement of learning how to prepare the night's menu by an accomplished chef from a noted local resort, but also gaining the unique perspective of someone who grew up eating different foods in St. Thomas, USVI. Vanterpool started cooking when he was in 8th grade and always loved using fresh Caribbean fruits in smoothies and other island-inspired dishes. He also learned grilling and barbecuing from his father who was an influence in his love of cooking. So, there's no question why his future included becoming a chef after completing his culinary education in the US. 

Vanterpool has worked at a number of locations for the Marriott/The Ritz-Carlton for nearly 13 years. While here in Fernandina Beach, he is continuing his long-time love of helping others by representing the culinary team on The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island's community service team. When he first visited Barnabas, and saw the Food Pantry and Cooking Matters program, he knew he wanted to become involved. That's how he ended up at the last class of the fall course.

Class members were treated to his engaging cooking demonstration and eventual tasting of herb roasted chicken with vegetables, fruit tarts and banana honey smoothies. Vanterpool chose the three recipes from the Cooking Matters class book and each participant took home a bag of the ingredients so they could practice making the healthy meal. 

"I am so pleased to be involved with Barnabas and the students," said Vanterpool. "I could see how they were interacting with my lesson, asking questions and learning. My hope is to help Barnabas expand the program and open the opportunity to learn healthy cooking to more people."

Cooking Matters is designed to support Barnabas' efforts in chronic disease management for adults with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and related health issues. The goal of the program is to make sure adults and children have the knowledge, skills and resources to prepare healthy meals for a lifetime. For more information, contact Robert Peck (904) 261-7000 ext. 121.

Class members pose with Pantry Coordinator Robert Peck and guest chef Dennis Vanterpool

 



Barnabas New to You Resale Store

Thanks for your support of New To You!  Your donations, contributions and volunteer time help to support all Barnabas programs. Follow along below to see how your donation and purchase at New to You helps those in need in Nassau County!



Did you know New to You has its own newsletter? Stay up to date with all things New to You by signing up here



We Invite You to Discuss How a Planned Gift Will Benefit Barnabas

Did you know we're here to help you protect your estate and support the causes you care about? Making a donation to Barnabas is a simple way to support programs and services that are consistent with your ideals and beliefs. And you may also gain a tax benefit from your planned gift. We would be pleased to help you name Barnabas as a beneficiary of your will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy or financial accounts. For more information about making a planned gift that would benefit the critical work of Barnabas in Nassau County, please contact Tania Yount, Chief Development Officer, at (904) 261-7000 ext. 107.


 


Help & Hope Report July-December 2016


 
  • New To You resale store aided 135 households in need of clothing and home goods
  • Barnabas helped stabilize 215 households with rent, mortgage & utility payments and provided 19 bikes through the Bikes for Barnabas program
  • Barnabas provided 121,906 pounds of food to 1,551 households
  • Barnabas instructed 16 households with cooking & nutrition classes through our Cooking Matters program
  • Barnabas Health Services treated 1,134 patients with medical, dental and mental health services
  • Barnabas provided crisis intervention services and counseling to 103 women through the Women's Health Initiative Nassau grant program 

Upcoming Events
  
January 9th & 23rd                Callahan Food Distribution
    NE Florida Fairgrounds  

January 26th                          Lunch & Learn: Cyber Security
                                               Barnabas Conference Room

February 1st                           Volunteer Orientation
                                                Barnabas Conference Room

February 6th                            OneBlood Blood Drive  
                                                Barnabas Center

February 20th                         Annual Meeting
                                                Martin Luther King Jr. Center

April 13th                                Barnabas Facility Tour and lunch   
                                               Barnabas Center    

April 22nd                                Fernandina Beach Recycle Day & Food Drive        

April 22nd                                Callahan Railroad Days




Barnabas Is Now On Facebook! 

Please visit and "like" our page!  Click below:   https://www.facebook.com/BarnabasNassau
Please visit our website at: www.BarnabasNassau.org
                       

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