Jungle fever: Flagler Ed Foundation celebrates 14th annual JDC Gala

'[Crews] was just a great man, good soul, and he was an excellent writer,' former school board member Colleen Conklin said. 'His passion was writing.'

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The Flagler Education Foundation hosted its 14th annual JDC Gala in jungle-style to celebrate the Flagler County students who participated in the Josh Crews Writing Project and the man who inspired it all.

The gala is traditionally themed after famous books, and the 2024 gala was themed after “The Jungle Book.” Held at The Ranch on County Road 200 on Nov. 15, the gala was held outdoors with a bonfire, tiki torch lights, a jungle cruise ride on a monster truck, a buffet and a silent auction.

The gala and writing project were created in honor of Josh Crews, a local Flagler County resident and Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate who died in a car accident in 2010. Crews was an avid reader and writer.

Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Rizzo said they had about 200 children, from 4th-12th grade, participate.

“It’s pretty incredible,” Rizzo said.

Former school board member Colleen Conklin was at the gala, dressed as a safari guide, and said she tries to attend the gala every year. She said she met Josh Crews through former Education Foundation Executive Director Joe Rizzo when he and Crews co-owned Woody’s Bar-B-Q. 

“[Crews] was just a great man, good soul, and he was an excellent writer,” Conklin said. “His passion was writing.”

Joe Rizzo and Carla Cline worked together to create the Josh Crews Writing Project and the end of the year JDC Gala. Rizzo died in 2022 and his wife, Teresa Rizzo, has stepped up in his absence.

“I think they [Joe Rizzo and Cline] thought this was the best way to honor his legacy,” Conklin said. Now, she said, the gala keeps both Crews’ and Rizzo’s memories alive.

The writing project, she said, exposes school children to what it’s like to have their work published in a book that their families can buy. The students who participate in the project write anything from fiction, realistic-fiction, nonfiction

“Some go on to write and become professional, published authors,” she said. “So it's an incredible opportunity.”

Cline and Rizzo said Crews’ family picks the theme every year. At first, Cline said, the gala was a family affair for the Crews’ loved ones.

“It was like a reunion of Josh every year,” Cline said. “And then instead of just having a party, you’re supporting something amazing.”

 

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