Ever since our family founded Big Chief Tire in 1961, we’ve been dedicated to the Jacksonville community. This is our home, and we’ve always believed it’s important to give back to our neighbors however we can. That’s why our mission is to Keep Jax Rollin’.
There are so many deserving local causes to volunteer for, donate to and support. Here are a few that our team chose last year, and plan on bolstering in the year ahead.
Healing Hearts Project
One cause that is near and dear to our family is the Healing Hearts Project. It offers support groups for children and families in the process of completing treatment or living with Congenital Heart Defects at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital and UF Pediatric Cardiology. It also delivers “Heart Carts” of snacks to the cardiac ICU, heart surgery care packages, and surgery day meals for families in the cardiac ICU.
From renting out space at our Normandy location to collecting donations through our One Mile Championship & Fritz Parman Memorial 5k (more on that below), we help out however we can. In 2023, we plan to have a big team at the organization’s 5k and fun run race, Jax Healing Hearts. The race will take place on Saturday, April 1st, in support of families facing pediatric heart illness or needing surgery.
Fritz Memorial 5K & Big Chief Tire One Mile Championship
One of the reasons our Big Chief team has been so involved with the Healing Hearts Project is thanks to former president Fritz Parman III. He founded the Big Chief Tire One Mile Championship nearly a decade ago. In light of his recent passing, the Fritz Parman Memorial 5K now takes place in his honor.
Hosted at Fishweir Brewing Company by the PRS Running Club, all donations go to the Healing Hearts Project to help families facing pediatric heart illness.
The event offers multiple waves to suit all paces, ages, and abilities. Runners get swag (trucker hat, anyone?) and complimentary beverages. With over eight divisions, there is a race for everyone. Anyone can help us give back to this meaningful cause.
Duval County Public Schools Back to School Drive
There’s no better way to give back to our local community than to support our local schools. For the past two years, we’ve supported Fishweir Elementary School and James Weldon Johnson Preparatory Middle School through our back-to-school supply drive.
Our kids, our team members’ kids, and our neighbors’ kids go to these schools, so it means a lot to us to help ensure they and their teachers have the supplies they need. The Big Chief team and customers were a huge help in donating goods. Any little bit helps, and the Duval County Public Schools appreciate it all. We hope to give back even more in the year to come.