4th Annual 2020 Women with Heart Luncheon
On Wednesday, February 5, 2020, over $170,000 was raised for Volunteers in Medicine at the fourth annual Women with Heart luncheon. Eleven Northeast Florida women were recognized for their commitment to health and human services in our community. The event was presented by Florida Blue and took place at their state-of-the-art conference center on the Florida Blue Deerwood Campus.
The 2020 Women with Heart honorees are:
Kristi Aiello – Florida Blue
Mickee Brown – Special Project Partners
Charmaine Chiu – Smith, Hulsey & Busey
Tammy Daniel – Baptist Health
Tracee Holzendorf – All About Kids and Families
Ann-Marie Knight – UF Health Jacksonville
Melanie Lawson – WJXT News
Donna Orender – Orender Unlimited
Mary Reval – Memorial Hospital
Ellen Williams – Ascension, St. Vincent’s
Now, more than ever, we see the importance of providing access to health care. The Women with Heart Luncheon is a wonderful community event that brings much attention to our mission to provide free quality primary and specialty medical services to Northeast Florida’s working, low-income, uninsured individuals and their families.
In addition, Nina Waters received top honor with the Dorion-Burt “Heart of Gold” award at the luncheon. “Nina has been such a wonderful supporter of Volunteers in Medicine and we couldn’t be more excited to recognize her at this luncheon,” said Jennifer Ryan, CEO of Volunteers in Medicine.
At any given time you will find these women serving the community in a variety of ways. These women are community leaders, advocates, and key influencers. Whether it’s leading efforts for real change or providing financial support for the development and implementation of vital health and social service programs, their advocacy, volunteerism, and commitment to the health of our community sets the bar for others to exceed. “We are honoring them for their passion and dedication to the health and well-being of our community,” added Ryan.
The Women with Heart Luncheon kicked off a year-long awareness and fundraising campaign for Volunteers in Medicine. Each honoree has committed to a month of advocacy and service to the clinic. During their month of service, Women with Heart honorees will wear the new 2020 “Heart of Jacksonville” – a beautiful diamond necklace designed by Allen’s Jewelers. The necklace will serve as a conversation starter to further increase awareness of the mission of Volunteers in Medicine.
“On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers, we are thrilled to recognize all of these caring women,” said Ann Carey, Board Chair. “We appreciate that each will be hosting their own events to advance the message and mission of Volunteers in Medicine.”
Sponsors of the event included Florida Blue, Allen’s Jewelers, Publix Charities, Bacardi, Baptist Health, St. Vincent’s HealthCare, Medtronic, Dr. and Mrs. Jim Burt, Dottie and Dr. George Dorion, Smith Hulsey and Busey, Prime Therapeutics, The Community Foundation and more.
"The Heart of Jacksonville"
This year’s “Heart of Jacksonville” was a stunning 14k white gold heart pendant featuring a one-carat solitaire diamond as its centerpiece surrounded by 25 garnet red diamonds on a custom cast 18” white 14k gold cable chain. The appraised value is $12,000. Guests could purchase a chance to win this beautiful necklace in a drawing held at the February 3, 2021 Women with Heart luncheon for just $100. Only 150 chances were sold!
Allen’s Jewelers was once again the Women with Heart "Heart of Jacksonville" Sponsor. Dennis Marshall, the owner of Allen’s Jewelers, has once again custom-designed a stunning 14k white gold diamond heart pendant to be worn each month by a different Women with Heart honoree as they spread the word about Volunteers in Medicine at their philanthropic events.
