Maggie Jo Hilliard's Community Commitment
Through work with her young professional women's charity organization, High Heels & Hearts (HHH) and as an individual, Maggie Jo Hilliard's strong commitment to the community is an important part of her personal life.
"Our society is judged by the way we treat the softest voices in our community. It is EVERYONE's duty to get involved and make the world a better place."
In 2007, Maggie Jo coordinated with Matthew's Restaurant, colleagues and the Guardian Ad Litem organization to create the Merry Charity Party where gifts were collected to give unfortunate children a holiday that they will never forget. The Guardian Ad Litem program is an important organization to Maggie Jo. GAL is the important entity that provides advocacy for children thrust into the system by no fault of their own. The organization is part of the national CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program and provides a voice for children. GAL is always in need of volunteers. For more information, click here.
Another Merry Charity was a great success in 2009, as 150 professionals came together to donate over 2000 gifts for THREE charities. The event was held at the One Ocean Resort and Spa in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
Updated Merry Charity Information can be found at www.merrycharity.com.
In 2007, Maggie Jo joined together with fellow HHH members to gather 100 gifts for needy children at the Children's Home Society. From bikes to bags, play make-up, dolls, trucks and other toys to electronic educational equipment, the HHH girls had a great success! In 2008, the group committed to 150 children. Again, it was an amazing success, as all children were provided wonderful gifts!
"It is amazing what can be done when we all work together!"
Maggie Jo is also strongly committed to assisting the children at the North Florida School for the developmentally disabled. The school is essential to the students that learn to live more independent lives. In April of 2008, Maggie Jo was auctioned off as a Bachelorette and raised over $1,500 for the school. Additionally, she designed and donated the auction paddles and sold tickets to the event. In February of 2009, she will be assisting with the Charity Auction again as the Raffle Chair. For more information on the charity auction, click here.
In addition to her involvement in the school's yearly fundraiser event, Maggie Jo also taught art classes for 6 weeks in 2008 to the junior high class.
"If you are ever having a bad day, there is better place in Jacksonville to be cheered up! I love everyone at the North Florida School so very much!"
To donate to the art program at the North Florida School, contact maggiehilliard@gmail.com and she can connect you to the kind-hearted people at the NFS!
In August of 2008, Maggie Jo and fellow HHH members gathered donated school supplies for one of the HHH member's schools. Miss Sheehan and other teachers at Arlington Elementary were provided donated supplies to assist their classrooms.
Since 2005, Maggie Jo has participated in the Race for the Cure for Breast Cancer research. Each year, you can find Maggie Jo and her two dogs dressed in pink and walking!
In 2008, HHH members learned that a baby named Riley was suffering from an undiagnosed myopathy which required a tracheostomy tube that required 24-hour attention and a gastrostomy-jejunostomy tube for feeding and medicine.
HHH members participated in the 5K Race for Riley and assisted in raising money for Riley’s family to help cover the medical bills, equipment and nursing care that are no longer covered by their group insurance plan.
Maggie Jo hopes to continue assisting community charities and forming a non-profit from HHH in 2010. For information on how you can help get involved, contact Maggie Jo at maggiehilliard@gmail.com.