The Baker County Press Baker County's Circulation Leader

Four days after the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency and community partners will honor first responders with a special day of activities focused on disaster preparedness and health.

The event on September 15 is one of eight that NFCAA is hosting this month to honor the anniversary through community service. While the event is intended to assist NFCAA’s customer base, low-income families, it’s also free and open to the public.

It all starts at 9 am at Macclenny Memorial Park on West Boulevard N. by the duck pond with tours of the sheriff’s office mobile communications center, fire safety demonstrations, and free glucose and blood pressure screenings.

Information about preparing for disasters and the health department’s stop smoking, first aid and parenting classes will also be available.

Participating organizations include the sheriff’s office, firefighters and emergency medical services, Fraser Hospital, American Red Cross, Macclenny Nursing and Rehab and the Sanderson Senior Center.

The event is scheduled to conclude at 1 pm.

“Research shows low-income persons often encounter barriers to accessing primary health care services. Routine screenings and tests prevent future emergency care visits — a costly burden to the healthcare system,” reads a press release from the agency. “Low-income families are also significantly less likely to prepare and evacuate during a natural disaster. With hurricane season underway, it is important that all residents prepare for any upcoming storms.”

For more information about the event, billed as a “Day of Service and Remembrance,” please call Judy Marek at (904) 588-4072.

NFCAA’s mission is to collaborate with community partners to empower families in Northeast Florida to achieve self-sufficiency through education, employment and advocacy.

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Mary Courtney Redd, 41, of Jacksonville died August 24, 2012 after a brief illness. She is survived by her father J.J. Swanson and step-mother Sylvia Swanson; mother Melanie Beckham of Mobile, AL; son Justin; many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A brief memorial service will be held at Collins Chapel in Baldwin on Saturday, September 15 at 5:30 pm.

Lugene Ruise, 47, died on September 7, 2012 at Community Hospice of Jacksonville. He was born in Margaretta on March 27, 1965 to the late Wilford Ruise Sr. and Louis Wilson. He later moved to Baconton, GA and faithfully attended Victory Tabernacle in Albany, GA until his death. Mr. Ruise is preceded in death by his father, brother Wilford Ruise Jr. and sister Lounetta Ruise.

He is survived by his wife Connie Ruise; his mother of Macclenny; sisters Lillian Ellis (James) and Betty Ann Holmes of Margaretta, Mary Givens (Willie) of Lake City, Karen Thomas and Lelia Major of Macclenny; brothers Samuel Ruise Sr., Ulysee Ruise, both of Baconton, Steven Ruise (Tina) and Charles Ruise, both of Macclenny; aunts Cleo Ruise of Margaretta and Alice Fuller of  Arlington, GA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Ralph Self, 79, of Macclenny died on September 3, 2012. Mr. Self was born in Macclenny on November 28, 1932 to the late Charles Branson “C.B.” Self and Estelle Newmans Self Williams. He was a United States Navy veteran who proudly served his country in the Korean War as a radioman with the U.S. Navy Hurricane Hunters. He retired as a truck driver with Central Truck Lines Inc. of Jacksonville and was a resident of Macclenny the past 41 years. Ralph was a jokester, a hard worker, enjoyed playing the guitar, loved going to gospel sings and roller skating, but most of all spending time with his family and friends. He is predeceased by his brothers Branson Self and Johnny Williams.

Mr. Self is survived by children Connie (Odell) Griffis of Glen St. Mary, Don (Brenda) Self and Sandra Jean Dyke of Macclenny, Richard (Janice) Self of Jacksonville; brothers and sisters Jessie Williams of Macclenny, George (Kathy) Williams of Glen St. Mary, Shirley (Danny) Paige and Velma Gatlin of Macclenny, Charlie Branson (Brenda) Self III of Hickory, NC; 10 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; longtime friends Jim (Margaret) Easton of Cutler, IL and John Henry Johns of Olustee.

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