Jacksonville organizations that serve veterans get grants

The city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars gave grants to six local organizations that help local veterans.

The following organizations received $50,000 in Jacksonville Veterans Resource and Reintegration Center Grants on Friday:

• Community Hospice and Palliative Care
• Five Star Veterans Center
• Florida National Guard Foundation
• Northeast Florida Women's Veterans Association
• Operation New Uniform
• K9s For Warriors

K9s for Warriors CEO Rory Diamond said the organization will use the money to help build an enclosed training facility.

“We are going to be able to actually train on campus when it’s raining. I know that seems crazy, but it’s a big thing and it affects our ability to get dogs in the hands of warriors fast,” said Diamond.

Army veteran Greg Wells said his K9s for Warriors service dog Utah helped get him back out of the house after his injury took an emotional toll.

“As opposed to being locked away in the house and hiding from society, it’s a sense of freedom,” said Wells.

Now he is K9s for Warriors’ lead warrior trainer.

On Friday, the city also announced the schedule of events for next month's Week of Valor:
Friday, Nov. 3

POW/ MIA Memorial Inc. Dedication and Open House Ceremony
Cecil Field
16112 New World Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32221
11 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 4

NAS Jax Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels
Naval Air Station Jacksonville
6801 Roosevelt Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32212
10 a.m.

Sunday, Nov. 5

6th Annual Salute to Veterans 5K
Jacksonville Landing
2 Independent Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
8 a.m.

NAS Jax Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels
Naval Air Station Jacksonville
6801 Roosevelt Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32212
10:00 A.M.

Monday, Nov. 6

JAX Chamber 15th Annual Military Appreciation Luncheon
Hyatt Regency Riverfront
225 E. Coastline Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 7

University of North Florida Veterans Day Tribute
UNF Student Union
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224 
10 a.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 8

Be CreditWize Seminar
Jacksonville Public Library - Main
303 N. Laura St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
1 p.m. class and 5 p.m. class

Thursday, Nov. 9

Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Forum
Legends Center
5054 Soutel Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32208
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 10

Semper Fidelis Society Observance 
Evergreen Cemetery
4535 N. Main Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
4 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 11

Veterans Day Parade
Downtown Jacksonville - Starts at Everbank Field
11:01 a.m.

Sunday, Nov. 12

Jaguars vs. Chargers Military Appreciation Game
Everbank Field
1 Everbank Field Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
1 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Military and Veterans Job and Resource Fair
Kingdom Plaza at Normandy Mall
5310 Lenox Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32205
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

More details are available on the City’s website – coj.net.

Cox Media Group