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Veterans & Meninak

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:51:21 GMT

Veterans and Meninak

Many Meninaks have served in the military, and the club was and is well represented by veterans. The very first president was W. G. Stedeford, a member of the Duval County Guards and Captain of Company A. The photo of him on the front page of the August 13, 1919 edition of the Florida Times-Union, announcing his selection as president, shows him in uniform.

Throughout the years, Members wore the uniform and served at home and abroad. They were given special recognition on the club roster and help on their return. Meanwhile, those members who remained in Jacksonville were leaders in organizations like Community War Chest (now United Way), Civil Defense, USO, Red Cross, and various government ration boards. Since the Cold War began, Meninaks have served through the years of the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, the Persian Gulf War, and in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11.

Today the Meninak Club has more than 27 veterans in its membership representing a total of more than 350 years of service in uniform. They continue to be dedicated to the service to others, whether in uniform or wearing the Meninak pin.

Foundation Contributors

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:15:55 GMT

M E N I N A K

Foundation Clubs

Established 1997

Endowed Scholarships $125,000 – Platinum

Harry C. Powell and Katie B. Powell Scholarship

John Munro and Flavel McMichael Godfrey Scholarship

Accumulative $125,000 – Gold

Brewster Durkee

Earl & Maggie Means

Dick and Barbara Suddath

$100,000 – Silver

Our Foundation Contributors

Trustee Club - $75,000 - 10 Stars

President's Club - $50,000 - 9 Stars

Director Club - $40,000 - 8 Stars

John Anderson

J. F. Bryan

Chairman Club - $30,000 - 7 Stars

Dick Barker

Lee Smith

Pathlighters Club - $20,000 - 6 Stars

Bunky Johnson

Credo Club - $10,000 - 5 Stars

Preston Haskell

Lewis Hunter

Dr. Ross Krueger

Hugh Magevney

Henry Newcomer

Linda Persandi

Taylor Sams

John Thompson

Ray VanLandingham

Kerry Varkonda

Torch Club - $5,000 - 4 Stars

Jim Cobb

John Donahoo

Ken Ekelund

Hickory Fant

Gil Feltel

Phil Ghiotto

Pete Hallock

Hank Haynes

Jeff Hoffman

Victor Hughes

Ira Koger

David Lampp

Jane Lanier

Mary Bland Love

Jim Love

John Lovejoy

Tom McGehee

Downing Nightingale

Bill Ostner

Jim Rinaman

Kim Rinaman

Buzz Tyre

Dan Wolff

Bell Ringers - $2,500 - 3 Stars

Andy Beh

Bill Birchfield

Bill Bishop

Bill Bliss, Jr.

Sherry Burns

Betty & Bernie Carter

Larry Cobb

Harrison Conyers

Diana Fanning

Tom Harper

Ed Jackson

Bill McCamy

Dennie McDonagh

Melanie Messer

Bill Nash

Steve Pesek

Dick Pierpont

Carole Poindexter

Tom Rubel

Izzy Spence

Brian Stokes

James Taylor

Jacob Thurlow

Friendship Club- $1000 - 2 Stars

Andy Ade

Gaston Acosta-Rua

Bill Barnett

Bill Bowers

Bob Buehn

Tom Calhoun

Arch Cassidy

Larry Celzo

Gus Clark

Bill Courtney

Nick Courtney

Bill Cousins

Jill Dame

DeWitt Dawkins

Jim Dobson

Dennis Dore

Bill Drennon

Keith Fairchild

Cathi Forment

George Good

Tanya Guydos

Richard Hadden

Mark Hand

Clyde Harris

George Helow

Bill Hill

Berilyn Houston

Fred Jackson

Mark Johnson

Delores Kesler

Jim King

Judy Law

Kent Lindsey

Tony Marinatos

Karrie Massee

Karen Mathis

Ed McCarthy

K. C. McCarthy

Will Messer

Ron Moody

Dawn Motes

Nick Napoleon

Russ Newton

Chris Noel

Ted Pappas

John Roberts

Kris Robinson

Al Rodriguez

Kerry Romesburg

Todd Sack

Steve Shewbrooks

John Sisk

Richard Skinner

Al Smith

Hawley Smith

Dave Thompson

Bill Tuggle

Fred Tygart

Anne Urban

Chuck Walker

Jim Wetzel

Doug Whitehead

Pete Wynkoop

1951 Club - $500 - 1 Star

Neill Baker

Dr. Maurice Barakat

Frank Barker

Bill Blackard

Lewis Bliss

Steve Boroweic

Carter Bryan

Cecilia Bryant

Arch Cassidy

George Ellis

Sam Fricano

Jim Gajewski

John Ghegan

Byron Googins

Mike Grogan

Hugh Howton

Kel Huehn

Don Ingram

Harriet Jones

Malcolm Jones

Tom King

Jan Korb

Allen Lastinger

Mike Lawrence

Kirk Lewis

Joe Love

Marcelle Lovett

Phil May

Mark Miles

Marjorie Morales

Bob Pearce

Fran Pepis

Ed Perez

Frank Pixler

Quinn Bell

Bob Read

John Roberts

John Rogers

Rob Rushing

Carl Ryan

Kem Siddons

John Slye

Shannon Smith

Taylor Smith

Hap Stewart

Tri u

Larry Weber

Will Wheeler

George Whitner

Pat Williams

Jim Winston

Gil Wright

Gladys Harris Award

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:07:12 GMT

The Gladys Harris Legacy

In 1922 the club employed a nineteen year old girl, Gladys Beth Harris, as Executive Secretary. She had exceptional organizational ability and her coordination of the club's many committees contributed in a large part to the eminent position in the community for the next fifty years. She retired in 1972 (now deceased) and in her memory the club established the Gladys Harris Award, given to certain Meninak members whose contribution to the club is outstanding.

See the Gladys Harris video

The Gladys Harris Memorial Award

Presented annually to the Meninak who by his active and enthusiastic participation advances the goals and ideals of the Meninak Club and whose presence enhances the camaraderie among his fellow Meninaks. The name will be inscribed upon the permanent trophy with an appropriate plaque to be retained by the recipient. The Gladys Harris Memorial Award was established by the Board of Directors in 1981 in memory of Miss Harris who was the Executive Secretary of the Meninak Club for nearly 50 years.

1981 - Hugh Crosson

1982 - Capt. Ike Simonsen

1983 - William M. Bliss

1984 - Rocky Norman

1985 - Stuart Richeson

1986 - Bert Reid

1987 - Frank Brownett

1988 - Finley Ticket

1989 - Richard Suddath

1990 - Herb Underwood

1991 - Lester Clark

1992 - Clyde Harris

1993 - George Herbertson

1994 - Dr. Richard Skinner

1995 - Jimmy Mock

1996 - Frank Taylor

1997 - Phil May

1998 - Pat Williams

1999 - James Cobb

2000 - Bill Ostner

2001 - Hubert Mehaffey

2002 - Hickory Fant

2003 - Taylor Sams

2004 - Hank Haynes

2005 - Sam Fricano

2006 - Bill Birchfield

2007 - Dr. John Lovejoy

2008 - John Anderson

2009 - Jim Rinaman

2010 - Ted Pappas

2011 - J.F. Bryan

2012 - Bill Bowers

2013 - Kent Lindsey

2014 - Judge Fred Tygart

2015 - Preston Haskell

2016 - Kirk Lewis

2017 - Chuck Walker

2018 - Bunky Johnson

2019 - John Godfrey

2020 - Dr. Marcelle Lovett

2021 - Jeff Hoffman

2022 - Bill Cousins

2023 - Dave Tuttle

Meninak History

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 12:51:46 GMT

"History is defined in most dictionaries as a systematic record of past events in which man has taken a part. In writing this history of The Meninak Club, I would rather define it as a record of the actions of men that produced an improvement in the quality of life in their community."

-Historian Stuart H. Richeson

HISTORY OF THE MENINAK CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE The year was 1919. A group of twenty nine business and professional men met in the Seminole Hotel for the purpose of organizing a civic club. At the time, Jacksonville was Florida's largest city and boasted of only one such club. South Jacksonville was a separate township with its own mayor and city commission and was connected to its big neighbor by a ferry. There were no bridges except the railroad bridge owned by the Florida East Coast Railroad.

These twenty nine men were a cross section of Jacksonville's leadership: a judge, a doctor, a pharmacist, a dentist, an architect, a printer, a senator, a banker, a ship builder, a mortician, three attorneys and several business executives, all dedicated to improving the spiritual, cultural and social attributes of this city.

On November 14, 1919, this club was chartered as the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville and it became the second club in our city affiliated with an organization national in scope. Walter G. Stedeford a business and civic leader, was elected president; Arthur Y. Milam, a prominent attorney, became vice president and Donald M. Barnett, a banker, became treasurer. Seven of the twenty nine charter members were elected to the board of directors. They were J. S. Porter, owner of Porter Clothing Company, J. T. Shad, president of Underwood Typewriter, Frank Wideman, an attorney, E. H. Bacon, an automobile dealer, J. W. Pettyjohn, president of Covington Wholesale Dry Goods Company, Fred W. Botts, a U. S. District Attorney and James C. Merrill, president of Merrill-Stevens Shipbuilding Company. It is interesting to note that seventy one years later many of the descendants of the original twenty nine charter members are currently members of Meninak.

For the next few years the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville prospered and increased its membership to embrace community leaders in business and the professions. The club became the outstanding civic club in its contribution to underprivileged youth in Jacksonville and Duval County. As a Kiwanis Club, the Jacksonville group took part in the district meetings and national conventions but never lost its enthusiasm for local and charitable projects.

By the latter part of the 1920's it became apparent to the club members that to make significant gifts to the underprivileged youth of Jacksonville it was necessary to develop a sound fund raising project and several ideas were explored. Dr. Ernest B. Milam was a delegate to the Kiwanis National convention in Chicago and on his return home by train he met the delegate from the Petersburg, Virginia, club who suggested that both clubs could benefit from a football game between the champion Petersburg High School team and the champion high school in Jacksonville. Dr. Milam, then president, presented the idea to his board of directors. Board members liked the plan but realized that quite an initial outlay of money was required to implement the project. Since the club did not have the money the suggestion was tabled but the basic plan remained alive in the minds of many members.

Dr. Milam was succeeded in the presidency by George Parkhill, the self appointed poet laureate of the club. One of his many poems expresses succinctly the feeling that has always permeated club members:

"It's a band of men worthwhile Fostering the underprivileged child

Imparting to them the ways of life Shunning evil, avoiding strife"

Then in 1932 Finley Tucker became president. On his board of directors was Robert M. Smith, President of the Southern Division of The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, commonly known as A & P, then the largest grocery chain in the world. Bob Smith advised the board that he would personally underwrite any financial loss the club might incur in scheduling the football game. Bob Smith was a genuine "Man in Action" and so the annual charity football game became a reality in 1932 and continued for the next 55 years!

In 1934 Alfred Miller, Sr., a past president and charter member of the club became aware of the need to recognize the outstanding service rendered to the community by the Red Cross Volunteer Life Guards at Jacksonville Beach. With the able assistance of Dr. George Frederick Oetjen who joined the club that year the Annual Ocean Marathon Swim was inaugurated; a three mile exhausting race in the rough Atlantic waters from the Life Guard station at Jacksonville Beach to the then existing pier at Atlantic Beach. A prize trophy was awarded the winning life guard and refreshments served to all hands. This Red Cross Volunteer Life Guard group continues to participate each year in the Meninak Marathon Ocean Swim and they are the only organized volunteer group in the United States at the present time.

The club continued on through the 1930's seeking its members from the business and professional community; men who were leaders in their field and who had demonstrated by their volunteerism a desire to make Jacksonville a better place to live.

In the early 1940's World War ll called many members to the armed forces. The roster during those years gave special recognition to the club's military service members, while those who remained in Jacksonville were leaders in such organizations as the Community War Chest (now the United Way), Civil Defense, the USO, the Red Cross and the various government ration boards. At the war's end the military members returned to the club and an expansion in membership took place. The club continued in dedication to the principle that quantity in membership would never come at the expense of quality and that there was no substitute for one central club in a community.

Unfortunately at the point in time of the late nineteen forties the viewpoint of Kiwanis International did not coincide with the views of the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club. While the local club was adamant in the view of one club to a community its members were quite cooperative in sponsoring clubs in other communities and assisted greatly in the establishment of the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville Beach.

This was not sufficient in the opinion of Kiwanis International which demanded the establishment of a second club in Jacksonville. Under extreme pressure from International the local Kiwanis club began a study of the need, if any, for an additional club in the same city. International was most insistent that a southside Kiwanis Club should be established. While the local club had seen the prestige of other civic clubs eroded by additional clubs, the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville was firm in its view that we had one city and that the river did not divide the community. The many bridges that crossed the river had brought to an end the City of South Jacksonville and there was only one community. Through 1948 and 1949 the club attempted to settle the difference of opinion with Kiwanis International but the effort fell on deaf ears. There was a growing feeling among the membership that the club should resign from Kiwanis International!

However, in early 1950 Dr. John F. Lovejoy, Sr., then president, in an effort to restore harmony appointed a committee to see if it could secure twenty five business and professional men of leadership quality who would be interested in forming a Southside Kiwanis Club. To the amazement of the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville it was discovered that the District Governor from Live Oak had surreptitiously recruited members for a southside club and accepted their dues. Kiwanis International then presented those newly recruited names to the Jacksonville club for its approval, thus violating its own requirements for membership. International even suggested that the Jacksonville club should return the dues to any prospective member not approved. The local club was completely unwilling to pass or reject men in its own community who had not been proposed by its own membership. Near the end of 1950 President Lovejoy called into session his board of directors and all of the past presidents. The group was unanimous in the opinion that the club should withdraw from Kiwanis International and that a civic club had the moral obligation to control its own destiny. A resolution of withdrawal was presented to the membership and passed with the support of all members save one.

Thus the Meninak Club of Jacksonville was born and in January 1951 Edwin Mugford, a hotel executive, was installed as president. The new club was determined to continue its eminence in the civic, cultural and social life of the city and selected the name "Meninak" from several names suggested. While the name had its origin in the combination of two Greek words meaning "true" and "honorable" the basic thought behind the selection was "Men in Action."

The club immediately began its expansion as a single, independent club comprised of community leaders. Past president Stuart Richeson was instructed to write the club's creed which in essence expresses the feeling of all Meninaks in its final paragraph: "I believe in rendering an active, intelligent, helpful service to my associates, that my community may be a better place for my tenancy in it." However, the club was also involved in its Charity Football Game, actually the oldest bowl game in the United States. There was some legal involvement in the transfer of football funds to Meninak so that formal withdrawal from Kiwanis did not take place until late 1951.

So successful was the Meninak Club of Jacksonville that many of its members felt that additional clubs should be established in other cities but only with a minimum of direction and supervision from the Jacksonville club, so that the new club was assured of independence. The result was the organization of Meninak National! It came into being with the avowed purpose "To enhance the spiritual values of the lives of our members and to promote such values in the community in which we live." Also "To achieve the ideal of service to underprivileged children, to youth, to the aged and handicapped and to others deserving of our interest and aid." In 1953 the first election of Meninak National was held and the officers named were: Burdette Garrison, president; Charles E. Moorman, vice president, Edwin Mugford, secretary and William R. Barnett, treasurer.

Initially all went well. A fine club was organized in Atlanta and chartered on November 30, 1953 at the Peacock Alley Restaurant in Atlanta. This gave rise to a fun group in Meninak known as the "Pig Alley Club" (a rather loose derivation of Place Pigalle in Paris) to which any Meninak could belong and wear a maroon beret, providing he had attended the induction ceremonies of a new club. Subsequently additional clubs were chartered in Miami, Tampa and Orlando. There was some talk of establishing a club in Havanna, Cuba comprised of medical friends of Dr. Lovejoy in that city. Had that avenue been explored the world might have been spared Fidel Castro!

In 1957 Meninak National, under the leadership of President Ira Koger, decided to publish a monthly magazine for the amalgamated clubs and so the first issue which was named "The Menometer" came into being. Stuart Richeson was named editor, George Ellis production manager and Gladys Harris secretary. In the first issue Ira Koger stated: "It is our belief that a local club has judgment enough, intelligence enough and initiative enough to run itself for the benefit of its particular community without close supervision and without meddling." This view was held by all in Meninak because of the unfortunate experience with Kiwanis International.

However, Meninak National had no full time paid employees and that Meninak Club of Jacksonville could not fund development on a regional basis. Past president Fred Cobb had just sold his very successful bottling business and upon temporary retirement he volunteered to assist the newly formed clubs on a non compensated basis. He did all that he could to make the affiliated Meninak clubs more than just a luncheon club, suggesting charitable projects, expanding membership and forming working committees. The new clubs survived for several years. But lack of funding and lack of full time executive supervisional staff took their toll and the venture into the national field came to an end.

Meanwhile the Meninak Club of Jacksonville continued to grow in membership and esteem in the community. In 1955 there came to Jacksonville a songwriter named J. Fred Coots. He had written several musical hits, among them such popular songs as "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"; "Love Letters in the Sand"; "You go to my Head" and many others. On his brief visit to Jacksonville Mr. Coots required surgery which was performed by past president Dr. F. Gordon King. So grateful was Fred Coots for his successful operation that he composed the club's marching song: "The Men in Meninak." Writing both words and music he dedicated the song: "To my good friend Dr. F. Gordon King and to the men in Meninak." Past president Van Etten Bent extended honorary membership in Meninak to Fred Coots and introduced the song to the Meninak National convention in Tampa!

The Meninak Club of Jacksonville in its membership classification is a cross section of outstanding leadership in its community: Architects, Accountants, Bankers, Business Executives, Clergy, Military, Physicians, Educators and Judges. Among the Past Presidents are men of diverse faiths, Protestant, Catholic and Jewish. While there is no religious requirement for membership in the club the organization is strong in its faith in God and firm in its love of country. Each meeting begins with an invocation to the Almighty and concludes with rendition of our national anthem the "Star Spangled Banner." And since 1955 the members sing the "Meninak Marching Song" at each meeting.

In late 1990, the members recognized the important contribution made by women in the business, professional and cultural life of our community and extended our membership to include women outstanding in their community achievements.

Unique too are the club's gifts to the community to the less fortunate among our citizens. The Meninak Charity Selection Committee has approved both major and minor projects too numerous to specify here and they cover a wide span of human needs. To mention just a few:

Pine Castle Center, Classroom building; Boy Scouts, Central lodge and dining room; Girl Scouts, Meninak kitchen, lodges, dining room renovation; Young Life, Inner city counselling service; Good Will Industries, Sewing machines and equipment for handicapped; Riverside Hospital, The newborn nursery; St. Vincent's Medical Center, Construction & equipment for Well Baby Clinic; Baptist Medical Center, Cost & equipment of infant nursery; St. Luke's Hospital, Equipment for children's ward; Hope Haven Hospital, Meninak boy's ward; Baptist Children's home, Meninak House of Friendship; Y.M.C.A., Craft room at Central Branch; dining room at Keystone Heights, Swimming pool at Opportunity Branch; Salvation Army, Meninak recreation hall at camp; Big Brothers, 2700 square foot dormitory; Childrens Home Society, Recreation building; Police Athletic League, Multipurpose recreational courts; Red Cross Life Saving Station, Renovation of the entire building.

The enthusiasm of Meninak members has resulted in yearly charity projects that have enhanced the quality of life in Jacksonville and those projects all filled a need not covered by any other agency. During the term of office of every one of our presidents, some good has accrued to our community. The club's roster reads like a "Who's Who" of Jacksonville but with it all the club members have had some fun. At one meeting held at the Baptist Home for Children, Meninak presented three large milk cows and they were hand milked by three Meninaks to the joy of the children and the media. The three: a doctor, a banker and a credit manager! For many years the club sponsored two social functions: "Ladies Night" and the "Toy Ball" at which Christmas toys were given by each member to the Salvation Army for distribution to needy children. To this day Meninak members man the Army's Christmas kettles and ring the bells! Recently the "Ladies Night" has been replaced with the annual Meninak-Rotary Golf Tournament and the high scoring club makes a gift to the winning club. The "Toy Ball" has been replaced with the "President's Ball."

The Annual Charity Bowl Game was finally discontinued in 1988 for several reasons. Originally and for several ensuing years the game was played by a champion high school, usually from New England, against a champion school in the Jacksonville area. The game brought widespread support and attendance and attracted football fans from the north. This was due in no small part to the fine cooperation of Fred Foy, Sports Editor of the Boston Herald-Traveller. However as the years went by many new high schools were opened in Duval County and the public interest dwindled in post season high school football. Also the football coach's association did not look with favor on post season bowl games and only tolerated the Meninak Bowl because of its tradition.

The "Excellence in Academics Program" allows Meninak to continue its relationship with the youth in the Duval County school system by trading its support for athletics to academics. The program is designed to promote, support, and reward scholarship in our school system. The Meninak Leadership Grants are college scholarships awarded to area high school seniors who have proven leadership skills. Winners are chosen from participants in Youth Leadership Jacksonville, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing leadership potential in high school students throughout Northeast Florida. Since 1997, five recipients each year have been awarded grants of $5,000 each.

In 1997 the Meninak Foundation established gift categories for annual donations. The 1951 Club is for a donation of $500 and members are recognized by a ruby Meninak pin, Path Lighters Club members receive a sapphire pin for donations of $1,500 and the Torch Club is for donations of $5,000 or more and is designated by a diamond pin. Members may choose to make larger donations to the Foundation through major gifts in the amount of $125,000 or more to endow an annual college scholarship that may be memorialized in their name for perpetuity.

Meeting every week, the men and women of Meninak look forward to the fellowship and camaraderie generated by the close association and common interests of its members. Throughout the years, Meninak continues its objective to develop enduring friendships through mutual understanding, esteem, and good fellowship and holds fast to its creed: "I believe that service to youth is insurance for the preservation of democracy."

Past Presidents Meninak Club

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 12:10:44 GMT

2026 – Will Messer

2025 – Bill Bishop III

2024 – Larry Celzo

2023 - Jeff Hoffman

2022 - Melanie Messer

2021 - Jim Love

2020 - Wes Benwick

2019 - Kerry G. Varkonda

2018 - Robert Buehn

2017 - Diana Fanning

2016 - Kris Robinson

2015 - Karen Brune Mathis

2014 - William R. Cousins

2013 - Larry Cobb

2012 - Peter C. Hallock

2011 – S. Mark Hand

2010 – W. Kent Lindsey *

2009 – R. L. Johnson, Jr.

2008 – Harrison Conyers

2007 – Jane Lanier

2006 – Dr. Ross T. Krueger

2005 – John T. Roberts

2004 – William C. McCamy

2003 – John M. Godfrey

2002 – Dr. Marcelle Lovett

2001 – Ted P. Pappas

2000 – Jacob F. Bryan IV

1999 – William Courtney, Jr.

1998 – William K. Rinaman

1997 – William Drennon *

1996 – Judge Fred Tygart

1995 – Thomas P. Coonley

1994 – C. Hank Haynes *

1993 – Carl M. Stewart

1992 – E. William Nash, Jr.*

1991 – VADM Joe Moorer*

1990 – John E. Anderson

1989 – John Lovejoy, Jr.

1988 – Fred C. Jackson, Jr.

1987 – RAdm JoeColeman*

1986 – James Rinaman, Jr.*

1985 – Robert C. Nichols

1984 – William E. Ade *

1983 – M. Webb Pruitt, Jr. *

1982 – John W. Donahoo Jr

1981 – John Buchanan, Jr. *

1980 – Julian E. Fant, Jr.

1979 – George C. Whitner *

1978 – William Birchfield *

1977 – Dick Doeschler *

1976 – Guy N. Nix, Jr.*

1975 – William Courtney *

1974 – Richard Suddath *

1973 – Dr. Dan A. Thomas *

1972 – James E. Cobb*

1971 – William Rivers, Jr. *

1970 – Hilary A. Schroder *

1969 – Patrick M. Williams *

1968 – Dr. Richard Skinner*

1967 – Finley Tucker *

1966 – Frank Taylor, Jr. *

1965 – Dewitt Dawkins, Jr. *

1964 – George Utsey, Jr. *

1963 – Hubert Mehaffey *

1962 – Irvin W. Woods*

1961 – Van Etten Bent *

1960 – William E. Scheu *

1959 – Dr. F. Gordon King *

1958 – Frank H. Brownett *

1957 – Sidney L. Monroe *

1957 – Clay B. Tousey *

1956 – Louis Aichel *

1955 – Bertram S. Reid *

1954 – Ira Mck. Koger *

1953 – John R. Norman *

1952 – Joseph W. Davin *

1951 – Edwin Mugford *

1950 – Dr. John Lovejoy *

1949 – Voyle E. Abbott *

1948 – Stuart H. Richeson *

1947 – Kenneth Attwood *

1946 – W. Fred Cobb *

1945 – Donald M. Barnett *

1944 – Henry Church, Jr. *

1943 – William Colmery, Sr*

1942 – Burdette Garrison *

1941 – Benjamin E. James *

1940 – Charles Moorman *

1939 – Joseph M. Erskine *

1938 – Harold Colee *

1937 – Nathan Weil *

1936 – Albert H. Laney *

1935 – Clifford McGehee *

1934 – Alfred Miller, Sr. *

1933 – Victor E. Beamer *

1932 – Finley Tucker, Sr. *

1931 – George W. Parkhill *

1930 – Dr. Ernest B.Milam *

1929 – Rev. Lee White *

1928 – Phil S. May, Sr. *

1927 – Slocum Ball *

1926 – Joseph E. Byrnes *

1925 – Francis M. Holt *

1924 – Scott M. Loftin *

1923 – Milton Bacon *

1922 – Dr. Lindsay McNair *

1921 – Arthur Y. Milam *

1920 – Walter Stedeford *

1919 – Walter Stedeford*

* Deceased

Meninak Officers, Directors and Committees

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 12:06:54 GMT

Officers:

President - Bill Bishop
Secretary – Jim Webb
Treasurer - Kris Robinson
President Elect – Will Messer
Immediate Past President – Larry Celzo
Trustees Chair – Diana Fanning

Directors:

2024-2025: Melody Bishop - Jacob Martin - Davy Parrish

2025-2026: Andy Beh - PeDro Cohen - Brent

Committee Chairs:

Program Chair - Kerry Varkonda
Charity Project Chair - Jill Dame
Scholarship Chair – Holly McQueen
Mentoring - Larry Celzo
Laws & Regulations Chair - Kris Robinson

Foundation Trustees :

Chair Diana Fanning

Bob Buehn

Kerry Varkonda

Wes Benwick
Jim Love

Melanie Messer

Jeff Hoffman

Larry Celzo

Bill Bishop

Mentor Resources

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:46:15 GMT

To see the Meninak Mentoring brochure describing the 7 Meninak Partner Programs, click here

To see the matrix comparing key characteristics of the 7 Meninak Partner Programs, click here

To see the "Mentor Toolkit" providing a wide range of activities Mentors may work on with their Mentee, click here

To see the Take Stock In Children video telling about mentoring, click here

Make an Impact Become a Mentor

Mentors Matter!

· Mentors help improve a young person’s self-esteem

· Mentors help keep students in school

· Mentors help young people set career goals

As a mentor, you not only enrich the life of a child — you enrich yours as well! Help us continue the Meninak mission of “bringing help to where none is available.”

Get Involved Today!

Contact a listed organization in our brochure or contact Meninak at 904-745-3393 , meninak@comcast.net .

For more information, see the Mentor Matrix showing the characteristics of each organization. The Mentor Toolkit contains 110 mentoring activities to help get you started.

Mentors Matter

Meninak is proud to be affiliated with the following mentor programs in Jacksonville:

Big Brothers Big Sisters

www.bbbsnefl.org

(904) 727-9797

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida helps children reach their potential through profession-ally supported one-to-one relationships with proven results, serving in Duval, Baker, Clay, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and Volusia Counties.

Regardless of race, creed, economic status or family situation, our mission is to provide a mentor for each child in Northeast Florida who needs and wants an adult friend in their lives.

Communities In Schools/Achievers For Life

www.cisjax.org

(904)354-5918

Achievers For Life is a mentoring program run by CIS and funded by United Way of NE Florida. It provides sixth-grade, at-risk students at Arlington, Fort Caroline, Matthew Gilbert, Northwestern, Jeb Stuart and Jeff Davis Middle Schools integrated, safety net services for the family and the student. This holistic approach is critical in stabilizing the family so that the child comes to school prepared to learn. Every family and student receives services and guidance from a Family Advocate, a Student Advocate and a caring mentor.

Take Stock in Children

takestockduval.org

(904)633-5923

Take Stock in Children is a comprehensive program affiliated with Florida State College at Jacksonville that helps low-income children succeed by providing college and vocational scholarships, volunteer mentors, student advocates/case managers, tutoring, early intervention and long-term support. TSIC matches children with a mentor for the purpose of promoting high school graduation accompanied by a contract that provides a college scholarship.

Daniel Memorial

www.malwashington.com

(904) 359-5437

MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation provides elementary aged children in the program the opportunity to have a relationship with a caring adult (or high school student) who assists them with their homework, participates in mentor mixers and serves as a positive role model weekly.The mission of the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation is to develop champions in classrooms, on tennis courts and throughout communities.

MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation

www.malwashington.com

(904) 359-5437

Operation New Hope Ready4Work Life Coach Mentoring Program

www.Operationnewhope.com

(904) 425-6002

Ready4Work is a nationally recognized program assisting ex-offenders with re-entry into the community and workforce, effectively leading participants toward a productive life. Operating with a four-pronged approach; case management, life-coaching, job training and job placement assistance, Ready4Work motivates and moves individuals to become productive, responsible citizens within the community. The role of a life coach is that of a confidant, counselor and champion. A life coach helps build confidence and instill personal accountability/responsibility in people, as well as helps establish boundaries for those seeking assistance. Ready4Work's Life Coaching program is intended to equip its life coaches witht the skills required to support ex-offenders' efforts for community reintegration. Ensuring support and success for participants, a life coach woks in concert with the Life Coach Coordinator, as well as other Ready4Work staff.

YMCA Outreach

www.firstcoastymca.org/community/outreach

(904) 265-1824

John E. Ford Elementary YMCA Outreach utilizes volunteer mentors who are matched with a 3rd - 8th grade student for educational assistance, basic life skills and character development activities for one hour per week.

Y Reads! is an after-school reading help initiative for K-2nd grade students behind in their reading levels. At least 130 students are mentored by trained volunteers using individualized curriculum.

Charity Projects

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:24:00 GMT

Annual Charity Project

A major gift program that encourages local charitable organizations to apply for funds typically used for capital improvements. The size of the gift is dependent on the funds raised by the Foundation and the income produced by its corpus. The recipient is determined by the Club's Charity Project Committee.

CHARITY PROJECT HISTORY

Year Organization Project

Scholarships

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:19:14 GMT

Meninak Leadership Grants

College scholarships in the form of one-time grants are provided to area high school seniors. Winners are chosen from participants in Youth Leadership Jacksonville, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing leadership potential in high school students throughout Northeast Florida.

YEAR

STUDENT

HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE

2022

Zhane Bell

Abigail Fixel

Jessica Malosh

Elijah Tillema

Ian Wilkinson

Zharia Bowles

Da'Moni Kelly

Gabrielle Kowkabany

Juliana-Elize Manalang

Taylor Richardson

Paxson

Mandarin

Stanton

Fleming Island

Bolles

Riverside

Mandarin

Sandalwood

Ridgeview

Bolles

Barnard College

Auburn

Tuskegee

Alabama

UNF

Spelman

2021

Kennedy Hill

Deyona Burton

Ayanna-Rose Gray

Donald Kohla

Corey Udell

*Elie Haddad

*Ellie Rosenau

*Garrison Washington

*Neha Sonthi

*Caroline Guiler

Raines

Robert E. Lee

Douglas Anderson

Episcopal

Ponte Vedra High

Madnarin

St. Johns Country

Episcopal

Stanton

Douglas Anderson

FAMU

FSU

LSU

Princeton

UNC

Berry College

FSU

Georgia Tech

Air Force Academy

2020

Anna Ceballos

Michael Chen

Kehinde Sogbesan

Ronak Venkata

Lauren Wilkerson

Mandarin High

Ridgeview High

Bolles School

Stanton College Prep

Paxon Advanced

UNF

MIT

FSU

University of Miami

Vanderbilt University

2019

Rachel Bitutsky

Adrienne Hendley

Lucia Macchi

Ally Richardson

Emma Towler

Stanton

Ribault

Bishop Kenny

Baker County

Douglas Anderson

Yale

Jacksonville University

University of Pennsylvania

University of Central Florida

University of Florida

2018

Diamond Boston

Elizabeth Fox

Jene' Lawson

Sophie Newman

Christina Demps

Raines

Ponte Vedra

Ribault

Ponte Vedra

Darnel Cookman

Florida State University

Notre Dame

University of North Florida

Cornell

University of Florida

2017

Rachel Blaydes

Kush Desai

Isaac Ricks

Natalie Starr

Ryan Udell

Bishop Kenny

Atlantic Coast

Terry Parker

Ridgeview

Ponte Vedra

University of Florida

Rice University

2016

Catherine Maige

Eleanor Marshall

Ravi Patel

Meklit Daniel

Robert Williams

Bishop Kenny

Keystone Heights

Stanton College Preparatory

Orange Park

Auburn University

University of Tampa

University of Florida

Williams College

Florida Southern College

2015

Brandon Canaday

Harold Geddies

Camila Rodriguez-Rojas

Emily Grace Shepherd

Aleksandra Skrypko

Nease

Darnell Cookman

Stanton College Preparatory

Episcopal

Wolfson

University of Florida

Florida State University

University of Miami

Georgetown University

Florida State University

2014

Alexis Brown

Savannah Goodman

Andri Kokoshi

Malcom McGee

Alexis Scardasis

Stanton College Preparatory

Douglas Anderson

Nease

Ribault

Clay

University of Florida

Duke University

University of Florida

University of Central Florida

2013

Andrew Blocker

Chase Brannan

Adriana DiMare

Tuongvan Le

Ashley Meyers

Ponte Vedra

Baker County

Bishop Kenny

Stanton College Prep

Sandalwood

Washinton & Lee University

Florida Gateway College

University of Florida

Harvard

University of Florida

2012

Adia Adkins

Jonathan Jenkins

Amy Nicotra

Zoe Sieber

Jaryd Tamares

Fleming Island

St. Joseph Academy

Fleming Island

Darnell-Cookman

Bishop John Snyder

FSCJ

University of Central Florida

Florida State University

University of Florida

2011

Yi Luo

Russell Rollins

Tre'Ellis Scott

Matt Wilhelm

Aubrey Smith

Paxon

Fleming Island

Douglas Anderson

Bishop John Snyder

Ponte Vedra

Washington & Lee University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Duke University

University of Florida

Florida State University

2010

Marguerite Devereux

Rade Obradovic

Timothy Oliveras

Jennifer Nguyen

Brandon Little

St. Josephs

Wolfson

Baldwin

Baker County

Fletcher

Spring Hill College

University of Florida

University North Florida

University of Georgia

University North Florida

2009

Maya Akser

Loren McLendon

Zack Mezera

Rachel Quinones

Ashley Shaffer

Douglas Anderson

Stanton

Orange Park

Bishop Snyder

Keystone Heights

Belmont

Florida A&M

Brown

William & Mary

University of Florida

2008

Miguel Lugo

Michelle Mullaney

William Stross

Travis Gidado

Julia McClure

Douglas Anderson

Providence

Fletcher

Bolles

Forrest

Florida State

Fordham

University of South Floria

Yale

University of Florida

2007

Thomas Elledge

Lindsey Hidewrite

Morgan McCoy

Kaitlin Seaman

Suzanne Sprinkles

Baker County

Stanton

Jean Ribault

St. Joseph Academy

Middleburg

Lake City Community College

University of Florida

Western Carolina University

University of Florida

2006

Gus Fulton-Wiley

Osborne Hall

Sunny Patel

Courtney Stevens

Jenna Tynan

Fletcher

Raines

Stanton

Paxon

Nease

Florida State

University of Florida

Queens University

Cornell University

2005

Maria Bingemann

Molly Flynn

David Ramski

Ashley Robinson

Anastasia Stenyakina

Nease High

Fleming Island

Providence

Fernandina Beach

Mandarin High

University of Florida

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical

University of Central Florida

2004

Will Brown

Chavous Johnson

Whitney Kouvaris

Laur Milles

Ben Stein

Ridgeview High

Forrest High

Bolles

Mandarin High

Bolles

Harding University

U.S. Military Academy

New York University

University of Florida

2003

Julia Altman

Jeremy Coleman

Timothy Frank

Torie May

Chris Poppell

St. Augustine

Fernandina

Douglas Anderson

Ribault

Keystone Heights

Barnard University

Moorehouse University

DePaul University

University of Florida

2002

Rohit Agarwal

Elizabeth Brotman

Christina Conde

Oana Oroveanu

Courtney Patterson

Bolles

Englewood

Bishop Kenny

Stanton

Emory University

Bryn Maur College

New York University

Florida State University

FAMU

2001

Travis Lester

Inyam Owete

David Ainsworth

Miriam Rassam

Wayne Taylor

Wolfson

Terry Parker

Keystone Heights

Paxon

Mandarin

University of Florida

FAMU

University of Florida

Morehouse

2000

Heather Teske

Amanda Weaver

LaRae Coleman

Lydia Le

Eric Spivey

Terry Parker

Nease

Fernandina

First Coast

Orange Park

University of Central Florida

Stetson

University of Miami

University of North Florida

University of Florida

1999

Eric Skiff

Lori Bayler

Bakari McClendon

Courtney McMillian

Brian Larkin

Ribault

Clay

First Coast

Wolfson

Bishop Kenny

Jacksonville University

University of North Florida

University of Florida

University of Pennsylvania

University of North Florida

1998

Matthew Thompson

San Heng

Matthew Hushek

Laura Betancourt

Adrienne Brueggemeyer

Douglas Anderson

Terry Parker

Bishop Kenny

Episcopal

Bolles

Southern Methodist

University of Florida

Bentley College

American University

Duke

1997

Dmitriy Bondarenko

Nancy Rothstein

Neesha Amin

Lafayette Williams

Marcus Odum

Sandalwood

Wolfson

Stanton

Raines

Bolles

University of Florida

Florida State

University of Florida

Florida State

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Veterans & Meninak

Veterans and Meninak

Foundation Contributors

Trustee Club - $75,000 - 10 Stars

President's Club - $50,000 - 9 Stars

Director Club - $40,000 - 8 Stars

Chairman Club - $30,000 - 7 Stars

Pathlighters Club - $20,000 - 6 Stars

Credo Club - $10,000 - 5 Stars

Torch Club - $5,000 - 4 Stars

Bell Ringers - $2,500 - 3 Stars

Friendship Club- $1000 - 2 Stars

1951 Club - $500 - 1 Star

Gladys Harris Award

The Gladys Harris Legacy

Meninak History

Past Presidents Meninak Club

Meninak Officers, Directors and Committees

Mentor Resources

Make an Impact Become a Mentor ﻿

Mentors Matter

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Communities In Schools/Achievers For Life

Take Stock in Children

Daniel Memorial

MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation

Operation New Hope Ready4Work Life Coach Mentoring Program

YMCA Outreach ﻿

Charity Projects

Annual Charity Project

CHARITY PROJECT HISTORY

Year Organization Project

Scholarships

Meninak Leadership Grants

Make an Impact Become a Mentor

YMCA Outreach