Bright Holidays - A Jacksonville, Florida Charity for Underprivileged Students and Families

About Bright Holidays

Bright Holidays, a recognized public charity, helps underprivileged students and families in the greater Jacksonville, FL area during the holiday season, which, for many, is often a difficult time of year. Bright Holidays raises funds locally and works with school principals in the community to identify those in need of clothing, food, school supplies and other necessities. Unlike other charities and foundations, Bright Holidays operates on a seasonal basis, relies solely on volunteer efforts and operates with no fixed expenses.

Bright Holidays, founded in 2003, became a public charity in 2006 upon recognition as a 501(c)(3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. Sylvia Johnson, principal of Eugene J. Butler Middle School and former principal of West Jacksonville Elementary School inspired the concept and John Forrester, a local business executive, founded the organization. Inaugural efforts, before the establishment of any organization or certification by the IRS, raised approximately $15,000 which benefited nearly 200 elementary school students and their families.

Today, Bright Holidays has a functioning Board of Directors comprised of local business leaders and educators. In addition, Bright Holidays has recruited volunteer workers and enjoys relationships with local professional firms to provide pro bono accounting, communications, legal and technology services. As a result of its volunteer Board and these relationships, Bright Holidays requires no operating capital and can use 100% of monies raised to help those in need of assistance.

Participating Duval County schools include Arlington Heights, Pine Estates, West Jacksonville, Rufus E. Payne and Rutledge Pearson Elementary Schools, Eugene Butler and Mandarin Middle Schools, and Douglas Anderson High School. The Board anticipates that this list of schools will change over time based on the success of fund-raising efforts and the identification of those in need.

In addition to passing all monies raised to those in need, Bright Holidays provides donors with a summary report of donations and expenditures at the conclusion of the holiday season.