Grassroots campaign wraps up summer by celebrating all things local
Aug. 22, 2024 — JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Civic and community leaders are encouraging Northeast Florida residents to celebrate 904 Day on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 (9/04).
The 904 area code covers nearly all of Northeast Florida, from the shores of Fernandina Beach to the historic sites of St. Augustine, and from the skyscrapers of Downtown Jacksonville to the ever-growing counties surrounding the Bold City. This year, local residents are encouraged to discover a part of the city that might be unfamiliar to them, that way they can find a new favorite local business or learn about the community’s rich history.
The City of Jacksonville and Mayor Donna Deegan issued a proclamation declaring Wednesday, September 4, 2024 904 Day. Local businesses that participate in 904 Day are preparing for a day of positive community engagement. The JAX Chamber is hosting their first #BuyChamber Market Downtown, in alignment with Downtown Vision, Inc.’s monthly First Wednesday Art Walk, Presented by Live Oak Contracting. Vendors for the #BuyChamber Market are JAX Chamber members; the event itself is free and open to the public during Art Walk hours from 5 - 9 p.m. at the Chamber’s headquarters at 3 Independent Drive. Nonprofit organizations are encouraging their supporters to donate anything from $9.04 to $904.
"For sixty years, The Community Foundation has helped donors give back right here in the communities we call home," said Stephanie Garry Garfunkel, VP of Strategic Communications at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. "904 Day is a great opportunity to shine a light on the good work of local nonprofits and the generosity of donors who support them."
This year, the Northeast Florida Sierra Club is teaming up with the team behind “Moncrief Springs: The Movie,” to host an urban hike through Historic Durkeeville on 904 Day. Participants will be able to walk through history in Northwest Jacksonville to better understand the connections between social justice, environmental preservation and economic well-being for all. Sharing Jacksonville’s diverse history is important in educating both locals and tourists alike.
904 Day has been celebrated as a grassroots movement for several years, with Northeast Florida residents, organizations and companies alike showing their support by tagging posts with #904Day on September 4. In 2021, a collective effort to amplify the concept was launched by representatives from the City of Jacksonville, WJCT Public Media, Downtown Vision, Inc., the JAX Chamber, Visit Jacksonville, the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Wingard. Additional partners who have joined the committee include the Downtown Investment Authority, the Jacksonville Daily Record, 904 Happy Hour, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and LOL JAX Film Fest.
Business owners, residents and visitors can participate in the campaign by tagging their social media photos and posts with #904Day. A free digital toolkit, which includes downloadable graphics, bingo cards, ideas for how to celebrate 904 Day and sample social media posts is available here. To find more events and activities, visit 904day.com.
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About Downtown Vision:
Downtown Vision is a not-for-profit organization revitalizing Downtown Jacksonville through district services, stakeholder support, marketing, research, events and placemaking. Primarily funded by a self-assessment of Downtown property owners and governed by a board representing a diverse array Downtown stakeholders and community leaders, DVI administers a 1.3 square mile Business Improvement District. For more information, visit DTJax.com/DVI.
About Visit Jacksonville:
Visit Jacksonville is a Destinations International accredited Destination Marketing Organization contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Jacksonville. For a closer look at all there is to see and do in Jacksonville, go to www.VisitJacksonville.com or contact 800-733-2668.
About JAX Chamber
The JAX Chamber is the business membership organization dedicated to driving quality economic growth in Northeast Florida to make this region the best place to live, work and play. Membership provides the opportunity to connect with and buy from other Chamber members. The connections result in business growth and a more prosperous economy.
About Wingard:
Wingard is a marketing and communications agency headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. Founded in 2008 by David Wingard, the company specializes in branding, digital marketing, media planning and buying, public relations, web design and development, and other creative services for clients in Northeast Florida and beyond. Learn more at wearewingard.com or follow the agency on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About the Downtown Investment Authority
The Downtown Investment Authority is the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Economic Development arm of the City for Downtown Jacksonville. Guided by a nine-member board of directors, the DIA seeks to attract investment, facilitate job creation and increase residential density through capital investments, planning, marketing and public-private partnerships including the provision of incentives for the general community and Downtown stakeholders. For more information, visit https://dia.coj.net/ and https://investdtjax.com/.
About Jax Daily Record:
The Jacksonville Daily Record is committed to providing business leaders with the First Coast's most authoritative and relevant business news, trends and information through its weekly print content and daily through its website and daily e-newsletter. Comprehensive coverage of Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties. No one covers commercial development, real estate, construction, companies, City Hall and the courts the way we do. Learn more at JaxDailyRecord.com. For advertising, email advertise@JaxDailyRecord.com or call 904.356.2466.
About 904 Happy Hour:
904 Happy Hour is North Florida's premier entertainment resource. Explore local events, concerts, new restaurants, sports and more with our website, weekly newsletter and social media outlets. For advertising, creative services, printing or to receive a media kit, please contact us at events@904happyhour.com.
About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida:
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (www.jaxcf.org), Florida’s oldest and one of its largest community foundations, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now in its 60th year, the Foundation manages more than $650 million in assets as of 12/31/2023 and has made more than $750 million in grants since inception.