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The Dossier: Mark’s Mission

Our Mission: Mark’s Mission strives to promote family bonding between parents and their children in NICUs and other hospital units through education, facilitation, and support. We aim to overcome burdens and provide financial support for families who experience hardship so they may be present in their child’s healing efforts. Our mission is to improve health outcomes for infants and children and create family memories that last a lifetime.

Our Vision: To create a community that inspires hope and fosters togetherness in times of adversity.

Hello July! I cannot believe how fast this year is flying by. Thank you for subscribing to the Mark’s Mission Newsletter! If this is your first newsletter, welcome! Each month, a newsletter is sent out to give you updates on events, fundraisers, our progress, and the workings within our organization. I am grateful you’ve taken an interest in Mark’s Mission. With your help, our organization can continue to grow and serve this community.

As of June, 2022 we are we are officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization- a tax exempt status granted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This status allows us to expand our reach in terms of what we can do for fundraising, partnerships, and donations. This is a HUGE win for our organization. Just as a reminder, any donation made to our organization is tax deductible per state and federal tax law. We are grateful for your continued support.

During the summer, Mark’s Mission is focusing on community engagement and donor cultivation. We want to form relationships within the communities we serve. So you will likely see our Founder and CEO, Brittany, out at the Amphitheater Farmer’s Market, or posting a ton within the Mom Groups on social media. So be sure to pop in and say hello!

The Happenings: Top Secret

This Summer, we are kicking things off with focusing on community engagement. We have partnered with a few local businesses to help with fundraising and getting our mission out there. We also have a few drives and events in the works. We are excited to announce the following events, fundraisers, and drives happening over the next few months!

Hot Spot Power Yoga St. Johns will be hosting a fundraiser event to benefit Mark’s Mission. If you’ve never done hot yoga, now is the time to do it! Stop in for an empowering and energizing arm balance workshop on Saturday, July 9th 2022 at 2:00 pm! Cost: $20 at the door OR $10 and a preemie onesie or board book to gift. All proceeds go directly to our mission.

July Preemie Jammie Drive is happening all month long! Purchase a preemie onesie, pajama set, or sleep-n-play set for donation to Mark’s Mission. Our goal is to reach 100 sets for our first ever July Preemie Jammie Drive! All donations can be sent to 52 Tuscan Way, Suite 202, #145, St. Augustine, FL 32092. Be sure to send your name and return address with your donation so we can be sure to thank you!

St. Augustine Amphitheater hosts an incredible Farmer’s Market every Saturday. Our community partner, Bocabebe Teethers, has a booth located in the center of the market. For every pacifier clip purchased, a preemie pacifier clip is donated to our NICU Graduation Bags. You can find our CEO, Brittany, out there. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

A Silent Auction is in the works currently. This event will include some wonderful gifts from local businesses. This a great way to support our organization while enjoying products and services from our very own Northeast Florida. More information to come on this event.

Back to School Book Drive will take place in August. As everyone is getting ready to go back to school, we are requesting new or gently used board books be donated to Mark’s Mission for our NICU Support Program. Family bonding is extremely important to our organization. Reading to little ones in the NICU is one way for parents to bond with their infants when Kangaroo Care is not an option. All donations can be sent to 52 Tuscan Way, Suite 202, #145, St. Augustine, FL 32092. Be sure to send your name and return address with your donation so we can be sure to thank you!

Be sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram for more information on these upcoming events.

Community Partnership Spotlight: Demi Judd, Realtor

Demi Judd was born and raised in St. Johns County where she and her husband are raising their two kids together. Prior to becoming a mom, Demi was a wedding planner. Soon after, she met her husband, gained a son and decided to be more involved in her children’s lives. After her daughter was born, Demi decided to make an impact on special moments in people’s lives again, not as a wedding planner, but as a realtor.

The decision to purse real estate was not an easy choice to make. Some agents get a bad rap and the community loses faith in their agents, scared the agent is just out to make a profit. Demi took a relationship based approach to real estate. She understood that buying or selling a home is a family decision. Demi brings a warm and family perspective to the local real estate industry. She understood the importance of St. Johns County’s top rated schools, local parks, and family activities in the area.

Demi’s passion for the community that she grew up in extends far beyond real estate. She is well known in the community for giving back and supporting organizations, such as Mark’s Mission. Her heart to serve comes from her background in theology and counseling. Her faith and love for God shine through her work as a real estate agent, member of the community, a mother, and as a person.

“The Lord has blessed me abundantly through my career in the start of it. I just want to be able to give back and show the love of the lord to families through my work.”

Donate While You Shop on Amazon!

Did you know that your regular Amazon order can help Mark’s Mission? The AmazonSmile Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation created by Amazon to administer the AmazonSmile program. All donation amounts generated by the AmazonSmile program are remitted to the AmazonSmile Foundation.

In turn, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates those amounts to the charitable organizations selected by you. Amazon pays all expenses of the AmazonSmile Foundation; they are not deducted from the donation amounts generated by purchases on AmazonSmile.

Whether you're doing some back to school shopping, or need to order some household items AmazonSmile helps raise funds for Mark's Mission as long as it is selected each time. AmazonSmile also allows you to shop our wish lists! From our Jammie Drive to our Book Drive, your donations will be sent directly to us, and you’ll help Mark’s Mission raise money to continue to provide support for families with children in the NICU and PICU.

To set up your AmazonSmile, click the photo above or click this link here.

Mark’s Mission is on GuideStar!

And we’ve earned the Silver Seal of Transparency! For a combined 88 years, Foundation Center and GuideStar each helped change the world by giving people the information they needed to do good.

Candid (GuideStar) is a nonprofit organization that provides the most comprehensive data and insights about the social sector. Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it.

Candid (GuideStar) offers a common online profile that can be updated, for free, by any tax-exempt organization. When an organization claims its profile and earns a Seal of Transparency, it becomes more visible not just on Candid's site, but also on more than 200 partner platforms including AmazonSmile, Facebook Fundraisers, Network for Good, and donor advised funds. Organizations earn Seals of Transparency by contributing information about their mission, staff and leadership, programs, goals, and more.

Vote for Mark’s Mission

If you love our work then tell the world! You have an opportunity to help us make even more of a difference in our community. GreatNonprofits-a review site like TripAdvisor-is honoring highly reviewed nonprofits with their 2022 Top-Rated Awards. Won't you help us raise visibility for our work by posting a review of your experience with us? All reviews will be visible to potential donors and volunteers. It’s easy and only takes 3 minutes!

Special Thank You to All of our May and June Donors!

Ashton B., Shaun C., Susan C., Raven B., Ashleigh N., Kate D., Allison L., Sam S., Amy M., Ron K., Susan T., Allison C., Rikki R., Karen G., Deborah D., Jillian B., Diane P., Christine W., Michal O., James T., Betty R., Vicky D., Kim B., Tony C., Vanezza F., Bella G., Amanda P., Brittany H., Gene H., Brandon C., Melanie B., Lynnette O., Mark O., Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb, and Allison C.