Jay Chamber installs officers

     The Jay Area Chamber of Commerce met Monday, May 5, 2014 in the social hall of the

Jay Community Center.  Lunch was served at noon.

     Before lunch, all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer given by Darrell Greer.

     After lunch, Drusilla Dobson brought the meeting to order in the absence of outgoing chamber president Jamie Mattina.  Dru thanked Dr. Mark Elder, Dana Dobson, and Heritage Family Medicine And Wellness for the delicious lunch.

     Jackie (Stewart) Ard, former Mayor of Jay, installed the new officers for 2014-2015.  The new officers are:  Nick Jackson, president; Eric Seib, vice president ( not present); Audrey Carnley, treasurer; and Sabrina Owens, secretary.

     Nick Jackson took over the meeting after the Installation of Officers.

     Guests were introduced. They were Yvonne Harper, running for Santa Rosa Board of  

Commission, District 4 and Sarah Ellis, with My Father's Arrow, Inc.

     Dana Dobson spoke about Heritage Family Medicine And Wellness, located at 3887 Scotts

Plaza, Jay.  It will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each week. 

     The April minutes were approved, as was the treasurer's report. 

     Guest speaker, Sarah Ellis, with My Father's Arrow, a nonprofit charity, spoke to us about its intended achievements.  It helps children in foster care.  Its purpose is to educate the community on the children's needs, recruit foster/adoptive parents and mentors, and procure child specific resources to help these children achieve their maximum potential while filling their lives with hope and promise for the future.  They are currently developing a children's home to provide more safe homes for the children in Northwest Florida.  Serving Santa Rosa, Escambia, Walton, and Okaloosa counties.  They are targeting special needs children in foster care as defined as:  10 yrs. of age, sibling groups, minority groups, mental handicaps, and

physical handicaps.  Next volunteer meeting will be held at Cornerstone Christian Church,

Alabama Street, Jay, June 3, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.   Boston Butts are on sale for Memorial Day. 

Rummage Sale will be on May 17, 2014. 

     Drusilla Dobson reported that Jay's Relay for Life event went well.  The weather was beautiful.  There were 14 teams and 120 participants.  Last count of money donated was

$23,828.00.  Hopefully more will come in. 

     The Bay Area Food Bank Food Drive by Postal Carriers will be May 10, 2014.  So, everyone leave some food for your Postal Carrier to pick up.

     Winn-Dixie, in Gulf Breeze will be a drop off place for food and care packages for flood victims. 

     United Way, Milton, needs volunteers to help with flood victims.

     Laurie Powers, with Oneblood, said that there will be a Blood Drive in Jay.

     Nick Jackson said that he will not be able to chair the Jay Independence Day event; his wife is expecting a baby soon.  If no one volunteers to chair this event, there will not be a 4th of July event.  But not to worry, The Town of Jay will still have their famous fireworks.

     The next Jay Chamber meeting will be held on June 2, 2014, in the social hall of the

Jay Community Center.  Lunch will be provided by Hartmann, Blackmon & Kilgore, P.C.  

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Jay Chamber installs officers