yourhealth

e 2017 Empty Bowls luncheon annual fundraiser to

combat hunger and crisis in Nassau County. e 2018
luncheon will be held November 9th. e Ritz-Carl-
ton, Amelia Island and the Omni Amelia Island Plan-
tation Resort are donating meals to attendees.

Helping Hands
More than 30 years ago a group of friends and volunteers
started changing and saving lives in Northeast Florida
WORDS BY ANDREA DAVIS

I
n 1986, several parishioners at St.
Michael’s Catholic Church began Barnabas
inside a vacant building owned by the
church with the goal of helping al-
leviate suffering for individuals
and families in crisis situations
in Nassau County. e need in the
community was substantial and the
volunteers saw that their contribu-
tions were making a difference, thus
Barnabas Connections was born.
Barnabas Connections, a
nonprofit organization and the beneficiary of
this year’s annual Great Chefs of Amelia
Island, is an integrated service network that as-
sists people in crisis with a helping hand, so they
can return to being healthy, productive citizens.
Barnabas offers several different pro-
grams to help those in need, such as
free food pantry, medical services,
Gerri’s Corner (a resource center for
women with cancer) and a commu-
nity thrift store stocked with
donated household goods, clothing
and more.
Located in Nassau County north of
Jacksonville, the organization’s mission
is aiding individuals and families by connecting
them to services that will help them overcome
their difficulties and achieve self-sufficiency.

30 YOURHEALTH
 yourhealth

O
ne day and without warn-
ing, 60-year-old Anthony
was stricken with the sud-
den realization that he
could not move his left leg.
He knew he suffered from high
blood pressure and other ailments,
but this was something new and
different. He was quickly rushed to
the emergency room, where he
received more bad news—he had
suffered a stroke. Anthony was
admitted to the hospital and for
nine days he worried about how to
pay for the care he was receiving.
He met with a hospital social
worker who referred him to Barn-
abas Health Services and his fear
and worry turned to hope and relief.
During his first visit to Barnabas
Health Services, the physician
assistant evaluated his overall
medical condition, adjusted his
medications and established a com-
prehensive treatment plan. During
his next appointment, Anthony
met with a retired neurologist who
volunteers for the center and was
referred to a nephrologist and car-
diologist—both of whom also vol-
unteer—for specialty care.
Nearly every day, donors gener-
ously support Barnabas with many
contributions, as well as volunteer-
ing their valuable time and talents.
Without this support, Anthony
would not have received the care he
needed to return to his daily life.
“Barnabas helped me in way I
didn’t expect to ever receive from a
charitable clinic,” says Anthony. “I
am finally on the right track to bet-
ter health because people cared and
donated to Barnabas. eir support
saved my life.” 

Clockwise from left: Barnabas headquarters in Fer-

nandina Beach; Barnabas Center executive director
Wanda Lanier accepts the prestigious e Florida
Blue Foundation Sapphire Award from Florida Blue
CEO Pat Geraghty; guests enjoying the 2018 Great
Chefs of Amelia Island fundraiser; Chef Davin
Wardynski puts the finishing touches on his dish
at Great Chefs of Amelia Island

YOURHEALTH 31
 yourhealth

$2.9 mil.
377,748
Value of services
donated by local
hospitals, doctors
and other medical
professionals

Pounds of healthy food

provided to 8,000-plus
people in need.

1,542
216
Number of homeless
children receiving
nutritious snacks
IMPACT
ON NASSAU COUNTY
Medical and dental
services for uninsured
men and women,
including mental health
and vision care

each Friday through-

out the school year

1,600
Households assisted with food, housing
and other needed services following Hurricane Irma
Hours of service provided by
more than 200 Barnabas
volunteers this year alone.
32 YOURHEALTH
 yourhealth

R
obert has no insurance and sought
medical care at Barnabas Health
Services when he was having trou-
ble swallowing and found himself
in extreme pain. He was given a
sobering diagnosis: Stage four throat cancer.
anks to a small army of donors who
give money and volunteer their time,
Robert was treated at no cost by a local
radiation oncologist and ENT specialist.
Without the support the center receives,
Robert likely would have died from his
disease.
“When I was told I had cancer, I felt
alone and afraid. I didn’t have anyone else
to talk to about what I needed to do to sur-
vive,” Robert recalls. “First, the Barnabas
Health Services’ doctors and staff saved my
life. en, the Food Pantry gave me healthy
foods I could eat. Without everyone offering
me their care and concern, I would not have
gotten better.”
e medical care he received no doubt
saved his life. However, Robert’s journey to
improved health wouldn’t have been possible
without access to the food pantry that Barn-
abas maintains on site. In fact, he receives
fresh and nutritious food that meets his re-
quirements for a special diet through the Rx Clockwise from top: Barnabas provides free
for Healthy Living initiative. e food pantry dental services; Hope Builders for Women
serves hundreds of struggling Northeast graduating class funded by Women’s Giving
Florida residents—people just like Robert— Alliance; volunteers show off their creations
each month. Q
for the Empty Bowls fundraiser; the
Barnabas Food Pantry

YOURHEALTH 33