Recent Stories
"Grandmom can do this": Jacksonville nonprofit helps seniors navigate smartphones
By Beth Reese Cravey March 1, 2022, Florida Times Union
Jacksonville nonprofit organization "Seniors on a Mission" works one-on-one with seniors, guiding them through the various actions they want their smartphones to accomplish, from video calling to texting to taking photos and electronically sending them to family and friends, as part of an initiative to reduce seniors' isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic.
"On a Mission" with Joanne Hickox from "Seniors on a Mission"
By David Benfield October 28, 2021, The Jacksonville BUZZ, BUZZ Media Group
Dr. Wendy Norfleet, from Norfleet Integrated Solutions, talks to Joanne Hickox about the history, purpose and future of "Seniors on a Mission"
Senior-serving Jacksonville nonprofit meets elders on their own turf with new mobile office
By Beth Reese Cravey March 5, 2021, Florida Times-Union
Seniors on a Mission has a new office.
It's a renovated 40-foot, 2012 motor home that is traveling across Northeast Florida bringing isolated seniors food, books, conversation, gift bags and even virtual reality experiences — from the end of their driveways or on the nearest street.
"It's going to blow your socks off," said an excited executive director Joanne Hickox, who founded the Jacksonville-based nonprofit 22 years ago.
The "big ole bus," as program director Margaret Campbell calls the mobile unit, is the second reincarnation of Seniors on a Mission since early 2020.
Coronavirus: Seniors on a Mission goes mobile to boost elder spirits
By Beth Reese Cravey July 21, 2020, Florida Times-Union
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the nonprofit to temporarily abandon its typical schedule organizing seniors for team-oriented volunteer services in a designated workspace. With its seniors now largely homebound, the nonprofit pivoted to serving them and other elders who might be feeling isolated by making coronavirus-safe staff visits outside their homes.
Seniors on a Mission win Starr Bishop Award
July 8, 2015, Jacksonville Daily Record
In one of his last duties as City Council president, Clay Yarborough bestowed the Starr Bishop Award to Seniors on a Mission.
The award was established in 2009 by outgoing President Ronnie Fussell in memory of Starr Bishop, the daughter of former council member Bill Bishop and his wife, Melody. Starr Bishop was known for her community devotion before she passed away.
Seniors on a Mission is the first organization to receive the award. The group of senior citizens has donated about 83,000 community-service hours during the past decade, which has saved nonprofits more than $1.7 million, according to a news release.
In 2014, the group involved 275 seniors who donated 9,450 hours.
Joanne Hickox, at left with Yarborough, founder and executive director of the organization, received the award from Yarborough during a council ceremony June 23.
Past recipients include Bill Kintz, Nat Glover, Ann Duggar, Wayne Wood and Emily Lisska
Archives