BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY RAISES $7,540 FOR FIRST COAST BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty proudly raised $7,540 for First Coast Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes communities, individuals and resources to provide food for the millions of elementary school children who might otherwise go hungry.    

Funds were raised through Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty’s online campaign to increase awareness for Blessings in a Backpack and its mission to end childhood hunger on the weekends. The Northeast Florida real estate firm invited its team of Realtors, employees, partners, clients and the community to support the cause by making donations on www.firstcoast.blessingsinabackpack.org/donate.

“Philanthropy and helping to make a difference in the lives of children and families in the communities we serve are at the core of our culture,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Founder and Chairman Linda H. Sherrer. “We are proud to support Blessings in a Backpack and its efforts to eradicate childhood hunger and we truly appreciate the generosity and compassion of our dedicated team and community.”

In Northeast Florida, more than 80,000 children were identified as food insecure prior to the pandemic. First Coast Blessings in a Backpack is currently providing nutritious weekend meals to more than 4,500 local students with direct deliveries to 42 dedicated school partners in three counties. This fundraising campaign helped to raise awareness about child hunger locally and the need for funds to feed more children.

“There is a critical gap in child nutrition that goes unnoticed by most, unless you experience it, and we know the need is even greater now for children in Northeast Florida who are at risk of being affected by hunger,” First Coast Blessings in a Backpack Managing Director Susan Evans said. “We are truly thankful for this donation provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty to feed children in our programs.”

The post BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY RAISES ,540 FOR FIRST COAST BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK first appeared on Real Estate Jacksonville.

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10 Short Road Trips To Take From Jacksonville

 

Jacksonville’s prime location in North Florida offers easy access to numerous incredible spots around the state. You can see so many different towns, state parks, and beaches, without driving for longer than a few hours outside of the city. Fill up your gas tank, pack your snacks, and get ready to hit the road. Here are ten short road trips to take from Jacksonville.

 

1. Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs, a privately owned park in Gilchrist County, is less than two hours away from the city of Jacksonville. The waters are cool and crystal-clear, not to mention ideal for divers as they are filled with extensive caverns to explore. Get away from the city and snorkel, swim, or lazily float around the scenic blue springs. Your first visit to Ginnie Springs won’t be your last.

 

2. Ocala

Two hours south of Jacksonville is where you’ll find Ocala, a city filled with natural attractions. In the Ocala National Forest, you can paddle in Juniper Run or visit the swimming holes in Silver Glen Springs. There’s even the opportunity to go horseback riding in Silver Springs State Park. This historic place was an important site during the Second Seminole War and there are pre-Columbian artifacts at the Appleton Museum of Art.

 

3. Amelia Island

Amelia Island is only 30 miles north of Jacksonville. It’s home to The Palace Soon, the oldest longest operating saloon in the state of Florida. There are also many art galleries and locally owned boutiques in the area. The downtown area is incredibly historic and you can tour it on the Amelia Island trolley. It’s a place where life moves more slowly, and a great quick getaway if you want to unwind.

 

4. Blue Springs State Park

Only a two-hour drive from Jacksonville, Blue Springs State Park is just west or Orange City and stretches across more than 2,600 acres. The 72-degree waters of the largest spring on the St. John’s River are perfect for swimming, kayaking, or paddling. Take in the natural landscapes and the famous West Indian manatees from the boardwalk or from boat tours that are offered throughout the area.

 

5. Palatka

Palatka is an hour south of Jacksonville. A charming cultural city filled with homes and churches that were built in the 1800s, you can partake in the Palatka Mural Tour in order to see all the architecture and art that showcase the area’s rich history. Drive or bike through the Ravine Gardens State Park to check out the large ravines that are up to 120 feet deep and the 59-acre gardens.  

 

6. Ichetucknee Springs

It’s a short trip to Ichetucknee Springs, an area only 90 minutes away from Jacksonville. The state park is the right place to go to if you’re looking for some outdoor recreation. Set up a picnic under the area’s old trees, check out the wildlife, snorkel the clear water of the springs, tube on the river, take a refreshing swim in the cool waters, or go canoeing. It’s a quiet area to spend the day relaxing.

 

7. Ponce Inlet

Enjoy some fun in the sun at the Ponce Inlet, less than two hours from Jacksonville near Daytona Beach. The beaches are picturesque, the shoreline is filled with beautiful colorful shells, and the waves are surf-worthy. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in the state of Florida. Climb the 203 steps up to the top to be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of the entire area.

 

8. Winter Park

Winter Park is two hours south from Jacksonville. The city is filled with outdoor spaces that are not to be missed, including the Mead Botanical Gardens, Central Park, the Harry P. Leu Gardens, and Rose Garden. If you want to learn more about the local culture of the area, visit the Winter Park Historical Museum and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art.

 

9. Gainesville

Gainesville is just an hour and a half outside of Jacksonville. Home to the University of Florida, this college town is filled with state parks and natural attractions. There is so much to see and do in Gainesville, including the 62-acre Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, the live butterflies at the Florida Museum of Natural History, and the sinkholes in Devil’s Millhopper State Park.

 

10. Big Talbot Island

20-miles east of Jacksonville is Big Talbot Island, an ecologically diverse and beautiful state park. Have a picnic at the water’s edge of The Bluffs or check out the wild birds that populate Sarabay. Don’t skip out on Boneyard Beach, named for the tree skeletons on the shore that are sun-bleached and salt-washed. It costs $2 to fish on the pier and $3 for vehicle access to the park.

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7 Family-Friendly Fall Activities To Do In Jacksonville This Month

 

Fall is here and so are the autumn festivals. From markets to parties, fundraisers to contests, there’s so much going on in Jacksonville and its surrounding area this fall. If you’re looking for activities that are fun for the whole family, look no further. Here are several family-friendly fall activities to do in and around Jacksonville this month.  

 

1. Wicked Barley’s Pumpkin Festival and Fall Market – October 6th

Wicked Barley’s inaugural Pumpkin Festival and Fall Market is happening in the Beer Garden on October 6th. There will be live music, special beer releases, a pumpkin patch, and a market filled courtesy of Congaree and Penn. Fun 4 First Coast Kids will also be providing free children crafting activities.

 

2. HOWL-O-Ween Bash – October 7th

If you love dogs, you’ll love the HOWL-O-Ween Bash from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on October 7th. Bring your four-legged friends, your human friends, and your family for a fun dog-day afternoon filled with animals in silly costumes. Whether or not you’re a dog owner, you’ll get a kick out of this event.

 

3. Oktoberfest Jacksonville – October 12th & 13th

Client Focused Media and BUZZ Media are hosting the 2018 Oktoberfest Jacksonville at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery on Friday, October 12th from 5:30pm to 11:30pm, and again on Saturday the 13th from 11:30am to 11:30pm. There will be traditional festival fare, a wide variety of beers, ceremonial keg-tapping, live music, wiener dog races, and brat eating competitions. Admission is free for kids 12 and under, tickets for adults range in price depending on the party package you choose.  

 

4. Rype & Readi’s Canned Food Fundraiser – October 19th & 28th

The Rype & Readi downtown farm market in St. Augustine is putting on their annual Canned Food Fundraiser on Friday October 19th and Sunday October 28th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. You and your kids can trick-or-treat through the haunted barn without any scaring. There will also be hot dogs, ice cream shakes, and other delicious treats for your hungry ghosts. Bring two canned goods and $5 for the entry donation.

 

5. Florida Bat Festival – October 20th

The Florida Bat Festival is celebrating its 14th year as a local Gainesville event. Held at the Lubee Bat Conservancy on October 20th from 10:00am to 5:00pm, admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children aged 5-12, and free for children aged 4 and under. The event features games, music, crafts, food trucks, and so much more.

 

6. Fall Family Fun Fest Day at Connor’s A-Maize-Ing Acres  – October 27th

Connor’s A-Maize-Ing Acres is putting on a Fall Family Fun Fest Day on October 27th. From 10:00am to 1:00pm, there will be a scavenger hunt for kids aged 12 and under. At 2:00pm there will be a costume contest, the categories are Funniest, Most Original, Best Duo or Group, Cutest, and Best Handmade Costume. There will also be a haunted trail from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

 

7. Moosehaven Trick or Treat – October 31st

On October 31st from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, Moosehaven will be hosting their annual Trick or Treat event for people of all ages to come together to take part in tricks, treats, a haunted house, great food, and an outdoor movie. Last year there were around 4,000 people in attendance at this family-friendly event and the crowd is expected to be even bigger this year.

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Enhancing the Client Experience at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty

Company is One-Stop Shop for Home, Financing, Settlement and Keys

It’s the top question busy professionals and families ask every day – how do you manage and find balance in your life?

For most, there are more tasks then time. Everyone’s time is a valuable commodity.

That’s why the real estate professionals at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty do everything possible to ensure every transaction is successful and smooth while making the process as efficient as possible.

The company streamlines business matters by offering all of the core services needed to buy, sell or manage a home. In addition to the area’s most dedicated, knowledgeable and successful Realtors, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices offers mortgage lending, title insurance, property management and other real estate services.

“Consumers want convenient access to quality services at competitive rates, all in one place,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Christy Budnick, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. “We have a team of partners and we offer all of the core services to meet your real estate needs. We recognize this is the right thing to do for our clients because it enhances their overall experience, whether they are buying or selling a home.”

The company’s core services approach is a significant benefit, saving customers time and money. The company’s business associates are respected industry leaders and in every transaction they communicate and work together in partnership on behalf of the client. The core services approach has helped Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices achieve many satisfied repeat customers.

The partners include Gibraltar Title Services, which provides title insurance and real estate closing services. Established in 1994, Gibraltar has been working with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for 24 years. The company’s mortgage partner, Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC, is also a part of the HomeServices of America network. Its dedicated local mortgage consultants support the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices team and its clients with all of their home lending needs. Florida Network Property Management provides full property management services and tenant placement based on the homeowner’s needs.

Mortgage consultants are available to meet at each of the nine Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty offices for the convenience of buyers and sellers. Prosperity’s loan offices can help whenever there are questions about financing (or refinancing) a home. The Prosperity team is well versed in regulatory and compliance issues, ensuring all loans are processed smoothly and securely, and they offer numerous competitive options for both residential and refinance loans.

“Prosperity’s No. 1 goal is to ensure the success of the real estate clients and agents with whom they work,” said Prosperity Home Mortgage Regional Market Manager Eric Spottswood. “Our seasoned, top producing local mortgage professionals specialize in mortgage lending and we have years of experience and expertise in the industry. We are dedicated to using our combined knowledge to benefit our real estate partners and their clients.”

Whether buying or selling, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty can connect you with the best mortgage experts, attorneys, inspectors, insurance agencies, appraisers and more.

“Our approach offers the advantage of providing our clients access to the resources and expertise of our knowledgeable and valued partners,” said Founder and Chairman Linda Sherrer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. “Our core services approach creates an exceptional experience for our customers.”

For more information about Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty, visit FloridaNetworkRealty.com.

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