Jacksonville Firefighters Open New Banquet Hall, Give $55,000 to Local Area Charities

JACKSONVILLE- The Jacksonville Association of Firefighters Local 122 celebrated the grand opening of their brand new Firefighters Hall with a banquet on November 18th. During the celebration, Local 122 presented three Jacksonville area charities with checks totaling $55,000.

The remodeled banquet hall is just one of the buildings of a major complex the Jacksonville Firefighters purchased in the summer of 2003 in Jacksonville’s Riverside area. The complex, which sits across the street from the Firefighters’ main offices, also includes a church and buildings that will be remodeled for leasing to Jacksonville businesses. The new banquet hall sits 300 and has many new amenities such as an advanced audio and video set up.

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton opened the banquet with a congratulatory speech, praising the Firefighters on their hard work to renovate the decaying complex.

Firefighters from Local 122 powered Peyton into the Mayor’s office in 2003 on a platform of an historic commitment to public safety. Peyton backed up his platform pledge by outfitting the entire Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department with new apparatus and renovating fire stations. He also selected a Director/Fire Chief from the rank and file, dramatically improving morale among the members.

After the opening speech, Local 122 proceeded to announce recent charity donations. Jacksonville Firefighters presented a check for $14,300 to the Jacksonville Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for money raised during the “2004 Jacksonville Firefighter River Rally.”

A second presentation had the Jacksonville Firefighters giving a check to the Jacksonville Muscular Dystrophy Association for $39,400. Firefighters raised the money during their 2 day “Fill the Boot” campaign on October 29th and 30th. Other events during the course of 2004 have MDA donations totaling close to $80,000.

The Jacksonville March of Dimes also was on hand to receive $1,700 generated by the use of the Jacksonville Firefighter inflatable. Jacksonville Firefighters bring their inflatable to local events and for a small donation, children can jump around and have a good time.

Now completely renovated, the Firefighter Hall is already paying dividends. It is booked for Super Bowl parties throughout January and many local area organizations are lining up to rent the hall. Professional Wrestling has also booked the Hall for a January event.

For information on how to rent the Firefighters Hall, please
call (904) 384-1011.