It has been said that charity begins at home, and a local group has demonstrated that statement in action. A social and philanthropic association called Parrot Heads in Natural Settings, Inc. (PHINS) has made a generous donation to a Jacksonville hospice. PHINS is a Northeast Florida group that generously contributes to local charities. This summer, PHINS raised $12,000 for Community PedsCare, which is Community Hospice of Northeast Florida’s pediatric program.

PHINS is a group of Jimmy Buffet fans who count charity among their social activities. Each year, PHINS holds the Parrot Head Open golf tournament to raise funds to donate to charitable organizations. For the past five years, PHINS has donated the proceeds from its golf tournament to Community PedsCare. Including this years donation, the group has raised a total of $49,000 to the hospice.

Most of the funds for the programs at Community PedsCare that help terminally ill children and their families come from donations such as this. In 1979, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida was established as the first hospice in the area, and each year the hospice helps almost 900 patients with terminal illnesses in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties to live more satisfying and easier lives. Community Hospice comprises around 700 employees and 900 volunteers, as well as long-term care facilities, hospitals, and four inpatient care facilities

Community Hospice of Northeast Florida is a helpful and caring nonprofit organization in the area, and contributions from groups like PHINS help to keep it in business. No person needing care is ever turned away from Community Hospice because he or she is unable to pay for services. Thanks to hospice care such as this, people suffering from terminal illness in North Florida and the rest of the country can receive aid in improving their life conditions.