JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 5, 2015 – The Gasper and Irene Lazzara Family Foundation has made a significant commitment to the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) Campaign for a Compassionate Community effort to build a new Humane Care & Education Center. The Lazzara Family Foundation committed $100,000 to the campaign chaired by Linda Stein and supported by philanthropists throughout the region.

In 2007, a fire burned JHS to the ground forcing the organization into temporary facilities. In 2011, JHS took the first step toward recovery by constructing its community animal hospital. The hospital offers the latest in animal care and is an example of the high standards JHS plans for its campus.

The Jacksonville Humane Society kicked off the funding campaign in February announcing major commitments and challenge gifts from community foundations. It seeks to raise $15 million for the facility. A challenge gift of $1 million was made by the Weaver Family Foundation.

“We simply could not be more grateful for these gifts and for the faith these leaders have put in our organization,” said Denise Deisler, executive director of the Jacksonville Humane Society.

Gasper and Irene Lazzara have a long commitment to animal causes and welfare in the community and have been supporters of previous efforts of the Humane Society. This gift will support adoption rooms in the new facility.

Adoption rooms will give adopting families a chance to meet, interact and bond with their potential pet in a quiet, private environment. Often the hectic nature of animal shelters does not allow for a pet’s true personality to be revealed. The adoption rooms will allow better interaction between pets and their potential new families.

To answer the challenge or make a gift to the Campaign for a Compassionate Community visit www.jaxhumane.org/donate, and choose Capital Campaign or contact Amy Pierce at (904) 493-4606.