Jessica André is currently the vice chair of the Health First Foundation and is on the board of the Bridges Foundation, which sustains the work of Bridges, an organization that helps individuals with disabilities. She is also on the board of Field of Dreams, the West Melbourne park created for persons with physical challenges.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Jessica André is a straight shooter, literally and figuratively.
As co-owner of Frogbones Family Shooting Center in Melbourne, Jessica is known for not missing the target. She also hits the mark in her many volunteer and philanthropic activities.
The daughter of Ed and Jeanne André, Jessica has philanthropy firmly planted in her DNA. The Andrés have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Cancer Care Foundation as hosts of the annual Caring Hearts benefit.
“My parents showed me the importance of giving back,” said Jessica.
The charity is dear to the André’s heart because Jessica’s sister, Rachael, died from ovarian cancer.
A true Brevardian, Jessica was born at Holmes Regional Medical Center and graduated from Melbourne High School before heading to Auburn University to study history. She moved back, then left, this time for Washington, DC, before the Space Coast again called her seven years ago.
She is currently the vice chair of the Health First Foundation and is on the board of the Bridges Foundation, which sustains the work of Bridges, an organization that helps individuals with disabilities.
She is also on the board of Field of Dreams, the West Melbourne park created for persons with physical challenges.
As co-owner of Frogbones Family Shooting Center in Melbourne, Jessica André is known for not missing the target. She also hits the mark in her many volunteer and philanthropic activities.
READY FOR A CHALLENGE
Jessica herself is no stranger to physical challenges. In 2012, Jessica and her friends attended a race at Daytona International Speedway.
To get a better view of the action, she clambered atop the recreational vehicle they had driven to the infield. As she was getting down from the roof, she lost her footing and fell 15 feet. The fall knocked her unconscious.
When she awoke, she was in the intensive care unit of Halifax Health Medical Center. She could not feel her legs because she had shattered a thoracic vertebrae. The injury would leave her paralyzed from the waist down.
Jessica did not let the injury dictate her life. After months of grueling therapy, she moved back to her own home, which she currently shares with Evie, her Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Bea, 12th in a list of foster pups she has taken under her wing from Smiling Dog Rescue.
“I managed to find homes for all of them,” she said.
Always ready for a challenge, Jessica in 2017 decided to take part in Dancing for the Space Coast, which raised funds for Field of Dreams, for Crosswinds and its work with at-risk youth and for various local playhouses.
Not only did she participate, but she tied for first place. Whatever she aims for, Jessica André shoots straight.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI
For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com
2018 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS SET NOV. 8
The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities.
The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created nine years ago by Space Coast Daily to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community.
The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.
TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved.
TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fundraising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.
All 2018 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2018 edition of Space Coast Daily magazine and on SpaceCoastDaily.com. The magazine will be available the first week of October in both print and digital editions, which will also be available on SpaceCoastDaily.com
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:
• Jessica Andre
• Leonard Beam
• Harry Brandon, in Memoriam
• Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Pet Posse
• Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Volunteers
• Bridges Foundation
• Michael Bross, A Step Up
• Keri Anne Demott Foundation
• Lori Duester and Liz Mikitarian, Youth Mental Health Task Force
• Florida Wildlife Hospital & Sanctuary
• Christine Lance
• Rev. Lorenzo Laws
• Larry McNamara, Giant Recreation World
• Dr. David Neely
• Neighbors of Suntree
• Ashley Nolan
• Mark Pieloch, Founder of the Muscle Car Museum
• Dr. Mark Pinsky
• Joe Rodriguez, McDonald’s Restaurants of Brevard County
• Susan Slaton
• Stephen Thaggard, Embrace Home Loans
• The Avenue Viera
• Barbie Thrower, Community Treatment Center
• Valiant Air Command Volunteers
• Mac McLouth, 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree
Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.
HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM
As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers from Health First Hospice, the Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care at Wasdin Woods, VITAS, Hospice of St. Francis, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health FirstPalm Bay Hospital, Melbourne Regional Medical Center, Rockledge Regional Medical Center, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center.
Dr. Jim Palermo
“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Space Coast Daily Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Total Home Roofing, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Paper Simple, Embrace Home Loans, Adventure HQ, Florida Pain Institute, CFP Care Team, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, Friday Night Locker Room, Safari Mail House and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.
For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mailContact@SpaceCoastDaily.com
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