The James Russell Fund is a non-profit corporation established to give back to its community in Northeast Florida. It holds several fundraisers throughout the year for underprivileged children, the disabled and presents a scholarship to a senior at my high school, Duncan U. Fletcher, in honor of my mentor, coach and friend, the late Officer Eddie Bounds. These fundraisers include a school supply drive, a holiday toy drive, Access-for-All drive, and scholarship drive. We raise funds for these events by holding silent auctions, raffles and collecting donations. We collect school supplies for the new school year, toys and clothes for the holidays, and we have the privilege of presenting a Scholarship to a senior, at Duncan U. Fletcher High School in honor of the late Officer Eddie Bounds, who was my coach and mentor.
3rd Annual scholarship drive , for the late officer Eddie Bounds. : It will be held on Saturday march 30, 2024 from 3::00 7:000PM at Monkey's Uncle Tavern 1728 3rd St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL. 32250
Our Scholarship Fundraiser in honor of the late Officer Eddie Bounds will be a great success. A Senior at Fletcher High School will be presented by the Fund with a $ scholarship on Senior Night in May 2024 The honoree will be chosen by the principal and faculty. .
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please feel free to donate on this website and on our Facebook page. If you would like to donate a toy, please contact us. Click on our Events Tab to learn more.
Be a part of something good and donate to help someone in need, make sure our children have the proper tools for school and further learning and bring a smile to a child's face for the holidays
My reason for opening the James Russell Fund is because I would like to give back to the community as they once gave back to me. My Fund is a non-profit corporation, who partners with charitable organizations to support and assist those who need our help throughout the State of Florida, Duval and nearby counties.
In 1997, I was born with cerebral palsy because of complications at birth. My parents were told that I might not survive, and that if I did, I would not be able to walk or talk or be able to function with normal every day activities.
Shortly thereafter, my mother learned of a new physical therapy treatment in Poland which was not yet introduced in the United States. It was a strenuous exercise program in an Adeli suit which is a modification of a space suit used by Russian cosmonauts to counter the effects of long-term weightlessness on the body while in space. The inner workings of the suit have elastic bands and pulleys that created artificial force against which the body could work to help prevent muscle atrophy.
This treatment in Poland was very expensive and not covered by insurance. The community came together and supported me to fund the trip to Poland not once, but twice. They held charity dinners, garage sales, and a bike poker run to raise the monies needed for me to receive this intensive therapy and because of their generosity, my Mom and I were able to travel to Poland. The therapy was later introduced in the United States but still not covered under insurance and the community once again came together to help support me. This time my therapy was in California.
I cannot thank the community enough for their support because without them I would not be where I am today.
My logo for the James Russell Fund represents a circle of helping hands as the hands of my community did for me.
My favorite quote is “Together We Can Make a Difference.”