Two years ago, teenager Harrison Snowden was introduced to the story of a woman named Barbara Ann Campbell. She had died in 1995, a victim of domestic violence. Her story was told at the Hubbard House memorial breakfast and made a distinct impression on young Harrison. “I had no idea how big the problem of domestic violence is within our community,” says Harrison, “Unlike other issues, people don’t talk about domestic violence, especially not teenagers. I knew then that I wanted to help the victims of domestic violence and spread awareness to our community.”
So Harrison and a group of other teenagers from Ponte Vedra High School decided to do what they could to bring awareness and harbor support. Thus, the Helping Betty/Hubbard Club was born.
The Helping Betty/Hubbard Club was founded in 2015 by Harrison Snowden and Martine Gelb, current high school juniors, in order to spread awareness of domestic violence and to support local shelters. Mrs. Ruth Lopez-Cortes is the club sponsor. Since its creation, the HBH club has raised several hundred dollars for both of the domestic violence shelters in Jacksonville and has been recognized for its work and contributions. The HBH club is the only high school club of its kind in St. Johns County.
On Saturday, February 25th at 7PM, the Ponte Vedra High School Helping Betty/Hubbard Club will present “Teens Take a Stand,” a benefit concert and silent auction, planned and run entirely by students. Doors will open at 6:30PM. The event features award-winning performances from Derek Coghlan, the Sharkappellas, the Splash Dance Team, the PVHS Jazz Band, Douglas Anderson’s Malik Bilbrew, former Alhambra actor, and director Jason Nettle, internationally recognized singer Julie Durden, and more. The variety act will be held in Ponte Vedra High School’s auditorium. Tickets are $10 dollars for students and $15 dollars for adults. Silent auction items include hundreds of dollars in gift cards, a signed football from the Jacksonville Jaguars and 4 tickets to a home game of your choice, and more. 100% of proceeds will be split between the Hubbard House and the Betty Griffin Center, two local domestic violence shelters.
Please contact Harrison Snowden at Ponte Vedra High School or hsnowden11@gmail.com with questions or interest in tickets or donations. You can also donate online at www.gofundme.com/hbh-benefit- concert.
To see more events in St. Augustine, visit our online calendar of events!
