Be The Bridge! – OneJax 4th Quarter Newsletter

we are one

OneJax Announces 2026 Humanitarian Award Honorees

Celebrating Unity with “We Are ONE”

DOneJax invites you to join us in honoring outstanding individuals whose everyday acts of empathy, respect, and courage bring Jacksonville closer together. This year’s theme, We Are ONE, reflects the belief that our shared humanity is more powerful than what divides us.

Through their compassion and leadership, our honorees help build a stronger, more just, and connected community. The mosaic-inspired event symbolizes how unity, collaboration, and harmony create something extraordinary.

The 2026 Humanitarian Awards celebration will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at The Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. Learn More About the Honorees and Sponsorship Opportunities Here.

We’re honored to have longtime community leaders Nancy Broner and Steve Halverson serve as chairs for this year’s celebration, helping to lead an unforgettable evening that embodies the spirit of unity and compassion at the heart of the Humanitarian Awards.

For more information about the Humanitarian Awards and OneJax’s ongoing work to build connection, and understanding in the Jacksonville community, visit http://www.onejax.org or contact onejax@onejax.org.

Be the Bridge

Double Your Impact

for Community Belonging

Across the country, an overwhelming 89% of people are hungry to feel that they belong—to be connected and to trust one another again. This yearning for shared humanity creates the foundation for environments where diverse perspectives can coexist and thrive. With 87% agreeing that truly transforming our nation requires each of us to see ourselves in one another, fostering unity is no longer optional—it’s essential for our future.*

For more than 50 years, OneJax has been building a more compassionate and connected Jacksonville by helping neighbors see each other with respect and listen with understanding. Last year, over 2,000 people participated in programs that honor humanitarians, empower youth, and bring communities together for meaningful dialogue.

Click Here to See your Impact

 Every gift to OneJax helps create safe and respectful spaces where every voice is heard and every person feels seen. Jacksonville’s beloved community leader and philanthropist, Delores Barr Weaver, has stepped forward with a $150,000 investment over the next three years to propel our mission forward. This gift is structured as a  $50,000 matching challenge this year—meaning your gift today will be doubled, dollar for dollar. By supporting OneJax, you give all of us the chance to transform division into connection, fostering respect and understanding across lines of faith, ethnicity, politics, and lived experience. No amount is too small, and every gift multiplies hope and healing in our community.

Make your gift today and help turn division into unity:

    • Give a one-time gift—$100 becomes $200, $250 becomes $500.
    • Become a sustained supporter with a monthly gift, ensuring ongoing impact.

Be the bridge builder who defines Jacksonville’s future—a future where every voice is heard, every story valued, and every person connected.

*Source: National Collaborative for Health Equity

Give Today

Join Us January 29th

ONEJAX RETURNS FOR 

BREAKING BREAD & BARRIERS

Join us for Breaking Bread & Barriers on January 29! This unique community supper, hosted by OneJax, invites neighbors from all walks of life to share a meal and engage in honest, respectful conversations about issues shaping our city. Each event features panel discussions, small group dialogue, and opportunities to connect on a deeper level across beliefs and perspectives.

The January 29 session continues our “Humanity in the Age of Information” series, focusing on media, mistrust, and the search for the truth. By creating space for open dialogue and shared meals, Breaking Bread & Barriers aims to build trust, foster understanding, and strengthen the bonds that unite Jacksonville.

Register today to be part of this meaningful evening of conversation, connection, and community-building.

Register Here

108th INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING GRATITUDE SERVICE

There is still time to register!

There’s still time to register for our 108th annual OneJax Interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude Service—happening Thursday, November 20, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Palms Presbyterian Church. Join neighbors and friends for an evening of reflection, unity, and gratitude as we raise our voices together in celebration and hope.

To meet the needs of our community this holiday season, we invite you to bring nonperishable food donations to help stock the Jax Beam Food Pantry and support local families. Parking is available in front of and behind the church, so arriving is easy.

Your presence—and your generosity—will make a real difference. Register today and help us spread joy and nourishment throughout Jacksonville this Thanksgiving.

     To learn more about this event and other interfaith programs, please contact Rev. Rebekah McLeod Hutto at rebekah@onejax.org.

WELCOMING OUR NEW

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

John Delaney and John Peyton join OneJax’s leadership

Please join us in warmly welcoming John Delaney and John Peyton as the newest members of our OneJax Advisory Council.

John Delaney, also a former Mayor of Jacksonville, brought transformative vision to the region and has played a key role in education and community building as President of the University of North Florida. His dedication to bridgebuilding aligns perfectly with OneJax’s mission.

John Peyton, former Mayor of Jacksonville and current president of Gate Petroleum, is a long-time champion for our city. In addition to his leadership in public office, John has dedicated years to community service, early learning, and supporting local philanthropic efforts—including receiving a OneJax Humanitarian Award for his outstanding commitment to uniting Northeast Florida.

Both Johns have a history of engaging with OneJax—participating in major events, supporting interfaith and community initiatives, and helping to nurture the values of respect, understanding, and connection across Jacksonville. We are honored to welcome leaders whose legacies of public service and compassion will help guide our work forward.

UPCOMING EVENTS

For additional information about these events and other OneJax activities, please visit the OneJax website.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025
Interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude Service
5:30 pm • Palms Presbyterian Church

JANUARY 29, 2025
Breaking Bread & Barriers

SESSION 2: Whose News? — Media, Mistrust, and the Search for Truth

6 pm • WJCT

APRIL 30, 2026
2026 Humanitarian Awards Event
5:30 pm • Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

MAY 19, 2025
Breaking Bread & Barriers

SESSION 3: AI & Authenticity — What’s Real and What’s Not

6 pm • WJCT

Thank you for being a part of this important journey!

If you would like to make a gift to support our Interfaith Programs, click here.

100 Festival Park Ave.  •  Jacksonville, FL 32202  •  (904) 799-5370  •  www.OneJax.org

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