Thursday June 11, 2026 | 6 PM WJCT 100 Festival Park
DESC Defenders is one of the largest fundraisers on the First Coast, bringing community members together to take action and make a meaningful difference for those living with chronic poverty. This is your moment to show up, take a stand and be part of lasting change.
Become a DESC Defender and help fuel critical support
for individuals and families who need it most?
A DESC Defender is anyone who believes in DESC’s mission and cares deeply about our clients and our community. It’s someone who sees the need around them and chooses to respond—whether through a financial gift, donating food or clothing, volunteering their time or simply showing up in support.
Being a DESC Defender means standing with your community and taking action in whatever way you can to help meet real needs and create lasting change.
DESC Defenders is the signature fundraiser for the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council. The event has been held since 2019 and brings together donors, volunteers and staff who believe in standing together for our community. Our collective efforts have raised more than $1.5 million in six years of support of DESC’s mission.
More than a fundraiser, DESC Defenders is about sharing a deeper understanding of the real challenges faced by individuals experiencing chronic poverty. Each year attendees gain insight into the lives of those we serve through interactive displays and presentations.
DESC Defenders is an evening to gather with other caring individuals over food and drinks, share meaningful conversation and connect around a cause that impacts so many in our community. You’ll enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere and an interactive discussion led by Tenikka Hughes, bringing our community’s needs into focus.
We hope you leave talking about the experience, the people you met and most importantly, the lives you can help change by standing together as a DESC Defender.
Thursday JUNE 11, 2026
6 PM | WJCT 100 Festival Park