Gifts

Annual Holiday Project

Luke Akerstrom (6 years old) suffered from a encephalitis induced seizure that left him partially paralyzed. His family has amazing faith and courage. We assisted Luke by purchasing a stander to strengthen his muscles and give him more freedom.

2013 Holiday Project

The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation worked with the United Way and several other organizations to give $1000 ($500 Publix, $500 Target to each) to 23 different families to help with food and gifts during the holiday season.

2012 Holiday Project

The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation worked with the United Way and several other organizations to give $1000 ($500 Publix, $500 Target to each) to 19 different families to help with food and gifts during the holiday season.

2011 Holiday Project

The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation worked with several organizations to give $1000 ($500 Publix, $500 Target to each) to 14 different families to help with food and gifts during the holiday season.

2010 Holiday Project

The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation worked with several organizations to give $800 ($400-Publix, $400-Target) to 12 different families to help with food and gifts during the holiday season.

Beneficiary Gifts:

2013-14 – Wynn Family:

James Wynn is a local business owner. He is married to his wife Jenny and they have two children. In October, James was working on a client's home when is ladder came out from under him. He broke both legs and his arm. His doctor's said he shouldn't have survived the accident. The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation helped them through the financial challenge by paying their JEA bill and partial payment of their property taxes.

2013 – Heather Perry:

Heather Perry is a hardworking single mother. In November, someone broke into her home and stole all of her electronics and some of her son's toys. The same week she was run off the road and lost two of her tires. She had to use her rent money to pay for her tires. We paid 3 months rent and utilities to help Heather get back on her feet

2013 – Nakia Custis:

Nakia Custis is a local city bus driver and who had to undergo surgery in March. She was not able to work until May and she was evicted from her apartment. We helped her with her deposit to get into her new apartment.

2012 – George Family:

Joanna George and her 5 children suffered a great loss this year when their father/husband passed away suddenly. 3 weeks later, there was a fire in their house, forcing them to leave their home. Shortly after that, 2 of the family members had emergent medical situations that put them in the hospital (including the mother who was missing work due to all of these situations). DCF helped them find a new home and paid one months rent. We paid 4 months rent and utilities to help them get back on their feet.

2012 – Montana Reinschmidt:

Montana Reinschmidt (19 years old) suffered a devastating neck injury in May which has left him paralyzed. Montana is back in Jacksonville and has learned to breathe independently, and maneuvers a wheelchair by using puffs of air. We assisted Montana by purchasing him a shower chair that allows for him to drive himself into the shower. After the accident, it was 3 months before he was able to take a shower. Montana graduated from Bartram Trail High School and completed his basic training for the Army National Guard.

2012 – Suprenant Family:

Robin Suprenant was referred to us when her ex-husband passed away. His ex-wife was caring for him through a long illness. He had no life insurance or anyone else to care for him. When he passed away, there were no funds for his funeral. We paid for the funeral for the family.

2011 – Luke Akerstrom

6 year old boy who suffered a rare encephelytis was paralyzed by the disease. The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation purchased a $2500 piece of physical therapy equipment for him in June and by the fall he was walking without assistance.

2011 – Wyche Family:

Mr. Wyche was hurt on the job and his company was not paying his workers compensation. He has a 5 children and eventually ran out of money in October. The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation paid back rent & utilities for 2 months and forward rent and utilities for 2 months to give them time to get the workers compensation issue settled.

2010 – Gobaton Family:

AnalizaGobaton, the mother of 3, wife & nurse, was shot and killed by a stray bullet while driving to her son's school to see him win an award. John Gobaton, Analiza's husband and a Gulf War veteran, was left a single dad of three young children. The children attend Catholic school & The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation is paying the tuition for the 2011-2012 year so that they can maintain some stability in their lives during this tragic time. 2010 – Dylan Bouchard : After spending the day on the river with his family, Dylan, a 3-year old child, drowned within minutes of removing his life jacket. The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation assisted the family by paying for the funeral, a total of $1,700.

2009 – Charles Whitfield and Alan Fennell:

As college students at Jacksonville University, both boys were unable to finish their senior year of college due to financial responsibilities and family duties as a result of unexpected tragedy. Charles Whitfield had recently moved back to Jacksonville when his grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. Charles could no longer bear the workload of work and school, and he had already exhausted all financial opportunities. The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation contributed $8,000 toward tuition payment to help Charles complete his senior year of college. Alan Fennell's father died suddenly in 2007, and Alan was also called upon to help support his family. Alan received $7,500 toward tuition payment of his final college year. Both Foundation beneficiaries graduated college in 2010.

2009 – Dwana Foster:

Referred to The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation by Lutheran Family Services, Dwana was the Foundation's first holiday project recipient. Dwana was working hard to take care of her children but had little funds left for the holidays. The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation contributed $1,000 to purchase gifts and food for the holidays.

2008 – Bob Rhodin:

Rhodin, a history teacher and basketball coach at Fletcher High School, was paralyzed after contracting a staph infection from a cortisone shot injected in his back. The Harvey Bernhardt Foundation purchased physical therapy equipment worth $6,000 to aid in his recovery efforts.