JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News, On Your Side acknowledged the tireless work of 12 individuals Tuesday night at Blue Sky Golf Course in Jacksonville hosted by First Coast News Anchor Jeannie Blaylock. It was the first 12 Who Care Awards ceremony since the pandemic, and it was history in the making. Last night we awarded 12 inspiring individuals and also presented a first-time lifetime achievement award.
The 12 Who Care winners were chosen from an esteemed panel of outside judges as well as an internal committee supported by First Coast News employees. Each Spring First Coast News asks the public to submit their nominees. This year, we received more than three dozen nominees.
Our 2023 award winners ranged in ages from college student to beyond and included a variety of backgrounds from across our First Coast. Alexis Magnano was awarded for her founding of the groups VolunTEEn, which connects students with volunteer opportunities. She is now studying at UNC, but was nominated by her peers for her work while maintaining a 4.61 GPA at Ponte Vedra High School.
READ MORE: Alexis Magnano
Angela Jackson-Seabrooks was awarded for her work as a community activist and gardener. She created a non-profit Urban Geoponics which creates awareness to food deserts and the need for sustainabilitiy.
READ MORE: Angela Jackson-Seabrooks
Barb Kent was awarded for her work as a volunteer for nearly a decade with Veterans Treatment Court, Early Act, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, Fernandina Beach Code Enforcement Advisory Board.
Her nominee writes, “She tirelessly works more hours than humanly possible on behalf of more people than I can possibly edify on this form.”
READ MORE: Barb Kent
Carmen Townsend was awarded for her constant and consistent acts of humanity. Carmen is the mother of JT who passed 10 years ago this June. She leads the foundation in his name. Last year, Carmen and the JT Townsend Foundation delivered more than 600 pieces of adaptive equipment to families in need. Each piece of equipment is something insurance may not cover and could cost upwards of 25-hundred dollars. The equipment allows people with disabilities to live a fuller, easier life, allowing them to participate in activities and in life events that they would otherwise be unable to enjoy.
READ MORE: Carmen Townsend
Captain David ‘Dave’ Quirk was awarded for his work as Procurement Coordinator for the PET Mobility Project at Penney Farms. Dave helps in the effort to build carts which give the gift of mobility to disabled across the world. Quirk also leads a team that does the taxes of more than 200 residents at Penney Farms, helps coordinate medical directives for other residents, helps to organize Honor Flights, volunteers as a hearing officer at the Green Cove Springs State Attorney's Office and even joins his wife to serve breakfast in the assisted living wing of Penny Retirement Community.
READ MORE: Captain David 'Dave' Quirk
A patient at Shands Jax for more than 10 years nominated Dorthenia Y. Smart. They wrote, “I have NEVER run into anyone who cares more about her clients, she has 5 children is a wonderful woman who serves the low-income of Jacksonville’s problems.” Smart is a financial evaluations representative at Shands. She was awarded for the tireless work ethic and quality time she spends with each patient to ensure they get the quality care they deserve.
READ MORE: Dorthenia Smart
Born and raised in Jacksonville Malea Guiriba was a journalist and photographer, but it was her work as an advocate for people that helped earn the 12 Who Care award. Guiriba was a volunteer for various nonprofits before following her passion as manager of a domestic violence shelter in Clay County. She moved on to running a referral program for domestic violence victims in St. Johns County, Pie In The Sky. Then, she started her own nonprofit in Hastings after recognizing the need for services for African American farmworkers. In 2012 she was awarded the Martin Luther King humanitarian award.
READ MORE: Malea Guiriba
Steve Nix was awarded the 12 Who Care award for his stellar volunteer work with the Jay Fund. His nominator wrote, “The Jay Fund is so grateful to have Steve on our team as a shining example of what it means to live a life of service.” They added, “Steve is spending his dash by giving back to the First Coast community where he was raised.” Nix served as co-chair of three signature events, most notably, the Celebrity Golf Classic, where he helped raise a record-breaking $924,000 this year.
READ MORE: Steve Nix
Last fall Tina Gray was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and began chemotherapy, yet it didn’t keep her down. Gray was awarded the 12 Who Care award for her work with her foundation Compassionate Warriors, Inc. She also started the “Street Friend Program” which provides meals, work boots, hygiene kits, warm clothing and backpacks for ‘street friends.'
READ MORE: Tina Gray
Ellen Glasser nominated award winner Tracy Gebeaux. She said, “Tracy goes above and beyond to make the First Coast a better better place to live as a ‘boots-on-the ground’ warrior for the beaches homeless.” She added, ‘he is well known as a youth coach, a partner to the faith community, and a tireless homeless advocate.’ Gebeaux formed the Brothers Keeper organization and has quietly accepted donations and delivered food/supplies weekly to our homeless for many years. Once homeless himself, Ellen said Gebeaux "pays it forward" without seeking recognition or remuneration. Tracy has improved our community through the love he gives in “Love Patrol” a breakfast delivery service to the beaches homeless every Sunday.
Our first ever 12 Who Care lifetime achievement award recipient was Judith Zitiello, or Judi as friends know her. Zitiello was nominated by Michele McManamon. She wrote, “Nine years ago Judi was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. That alone is something that is unheard of, the typical lifespan when diagnosed is 6 months to 1 year. Judi was not going to take this horrible disease laying down. She wrote her memoir, ‘Woven,’ during this time with the idea of having all of the proceeds to go to the early detection and cure of pancreatic cancer.”
Zitiello started and lead the JT Townsend Foundation, with JT himself, until he passed away. Then, Zitiello and her husband Tommy combined their efforts of fundraising for the two causes and created Champions For Hope. This foundation helps continue both missions to provide adaptive equipment for those who cannot afford it and also supports significant pancreatic cancer research at Mayo Hospital.
“Beside those wonderful things, she is constantly giving to those that are less fortunate in the community,” said McManamon. “It may be talking to someone who is homeless and giving them a few dollars or buying them food, her generosity never ends. She is one most selfless givers you will ever meet.”
The 12 Who Care Awards ceremony was made possible by sponsor Paramount Builders. On November 28 at 7 p.m. on ABC25 you can watch the 12 Who Care Awards special. It will also stream on First Coast News+ on Apple TV, Fire and RokuTV.
