Check Out Our Event Lineup!

Issue 222 | April 1, 2024

I trust everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. The weather was perfect for hiding easter eggs and watching the children hunt for them. Let's give thanks for God's blessings and abundance!

At our last meeting we heard from Ken Babby, the owner of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he shared an inspiring journey that led him to own not just one but two professional baseball teams. He opens with a reflection on how life's unexpected turns, like losing a job, can lead to new, fulfilling paths. Babby's story is one of resilience, passion for baseball, and a belief in the power of community.

Babby recounts his early career ambitions in sports, facing rejection, and ultimately landing in the newspaper industry, where he spent 14 years at the Washington Post. His departure from the Post, following its acquisition by Jeff Bezos, was a pivotal moment, pushing him to pursue his true passion: baseball. This led to the acquisition of a team in Akron, Ohio, and eventually, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

He highlights the Jacksonville community's warm welcome and the team's commitment to enhancing fan experience with affordable tickets, frequent giveaways, and significant stadium improvements. These include a $31.8 million investment for new facilities and the humorous but popular demand for large fans to combat the Florida heat, fulfilled by installing "big ass fans" in the stadium.

Babby emphasizes the importance of the team's role in the community, its partnership with the Miami Marlins, and the long-term commitment to stay in Jacksonville till at least 2042. The talk concludes with a look forward to new and ongoing projects to improve the stadium experience and a reminder of the Jumbo Shrimp's significant role in the community and the exciting future ahead for the team and its fans.

On the topic of club membership, we had two new applications this last week. It's exciting to see that we are almost halfway to our target of 27 new members, and we are just finishing the 1st quarter of the year. Good job to all the members who have brought in guests. Keep up the good work!

Warmest regards,

Michael Best

2024 President

As we have consistently filled or exceeded our capacity at Season's 52, we will now be returning to San Jose Country Club for our meetings this year!

7529 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32217

(Across the street from Bolles Highschool)

We look forward to a hot buffet each meeting and lots of great speakers and networking. Please mark your calendar!

Next Meeting

On April 10, we will welcome Clay Yarborough with a 2024 Florida Legislation update.

Click here to pre-register!

April 11

Save the date for a Member Hangout at Brew and Barrel Tavern on April 11! More details coming soon!

April 19

Please join us for our first Civic Volunteer Event of the year!

We will be working with HabiJax Restore on Friday, April 19 from 9:30pm - 1:30pm.

5800 Beach Boulevard

Jacksonville, FL 32207

For additional details, or to volunteer, please contact Chris Bagley at Cbagley@holmesorg.com

Drawing May 8

May 9

Join us for a Meet-A-Member from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, hosted by

Gloria Vinson from LANDCO Properties, Inc.

Florida Tackle & Gun Club

9010 San Jose Blvd

Jacksonville 32257

Click here to purchase your tickets for $10 per person which will include hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine. Full bar will be open for purchase of other beverages.

All proceeds are to benefit The Vinson Foundation, Inc.

YAP GOLF UPDATE

March 2024

Dear members of the Southside Business Men’s Club,

This is Angelo Volpe, SBMC 2008 Past President, and this year’s Youth Achiever Program (YAP) Crump Kirby Memorial Charity Golf Classic Chairman.

I, along with my co-chair SBMC Past President Jepp Walter, would like to invite you to the SBMC 29th Crump Kirby Memorial Youth Achiever GOLF CLASSIC, benefiting the Youth Achiever Scholarship Fund to be held on Monday, May 20th at The Golf Club at South Hampton @1:00 PM.

The net proceeds raised from this event will directly benefit the Southside Business Men’s Club Charities, Inc for disbursement to high school seniors and college students looking for financial assistance to further their higher education. We give $5,000 scholarships annually to this great cause.

The Youth Achiever Program (YAP) began in 1994 by Fred S. Harford -then 4th Vice President and Gene Bushor -then President. The original purpose of raising funds was to subsidize Southside Elementary Schools Safety Patrol students to take their annual trip to Washington D.C. After of couple of years of trying to fund this program with various types of fundraising activities, it became apparent that something else had to be done.

We are now two months out from our tournament, and we need hole sponsors for $175 and players at $125.00 per player which includes range balls, lunch, golf and a great BBQ dinner afterwards. We are also in need of major sponsors listed in our Sponsor Opportunity sheet. Be generous for the sake of our kids!

We also need the names of who is playing in your foursomes by no later than Thursday, May 16th so we can send the groupings to the golf course.

We sincerely need and appreciate your support for this great event, and we look forward to seeing you at this year’s tournament. Bring friends, associates and customers and make it a great day for a good cause!

Go to www.sbmccharity.org/yap to register or email me at angelo@volpemanagement.com if you have any questions. All donations are tax deductible under our 501c (3) designation.

Sincerely,

Angelo Volpe

2024 Tournament Chairman

Click here to view this year's Charity Golf Flyer

Please click here if you are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities!

We are also in need of donations for our Silent Auction Items.

If you are interested in contributing an item, please click here for our Auction Contribution Form!