The St. Johns County Chamber Foundation will host its 2026 Denim & Diamonds Gala on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Ancient City Farmstead in St. Augustine. The event supports the foundation’s leadership scholarships, emergency-relief efforts and workforce-development work in St. Johns County.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a reception with an open bar and silent auction. A barbecue dinner catered by Mojo BBQ follows at 6:15 p.m., followed by a live auction. The event ends at 8 p.m. sjcchamber.com/foundation-galasjcchamber

The foundation is the chamber’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm. It was established in January 2024, with a mission built on three focus areas: a permanent scholarship fund for Leadership St. Johns; an emergency relief fund for businesses affected by natural disasters or economic downturns; and workforce development and attainable-housing initiatives through partnerships with local schools, colleges and training programs. established in January.

“The foundation opens new avenues for programs and philanthropic work to make a difference in the community at large as we work to strengthen our business community,” chamber President and CEO Isabelle Renault said when the foundation launched.

Leadership St. Johns, a 25-year leadership-development program, created The Great St. Augustine Scavenger Hunt as its 2025 class service project. Proceeds benefited the Youth Crisis Center.

The foundation’s board is chaired by Morrie Maple and includes Vice Chair Orv Dothage of Northrop Grumman; Secretary Berta Odom of TEAM 100 Realty; Treasurer Lori Brandel of VyStar Credit Union; Nancy Dering Mock of Nancy Dering Mock Consulting; Marilyn Drayton; Bruce Jones of Vicar’s Landing; and Renault.

Ticket and sponsorship details are available at sjcchamber.com/foundation-gala.

Upcoming community events

  • Thursday, Sept. 10 — Denim & Diamonds Gala, 5:30-8 p.m., Ancient City Farmstead, St. Augustine. Tickets are available at sjcchamber.com/foundation-gala.
  • Saturday, Nov. 14 — Family Color Run 5K, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 State Road 207, Elkton. The event is hosted by St. Johns County Parks and Recreation and supported by the St. Johns County Parks Foundation.