ORANGE PARK – Irene Toto is so passionate about her work at Clay Behavioral Health Center, where mental health and substance abuse services are addressed for low income, under-insured and uninsured; she often talks endlessly about the mission. 

But when Dr. Christopher Towe announced Clay Behavioral Health Center as this year’s recipient of the Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award of the Year as the county’s top nonprofit, Toto was uncharacteristically and unexpectedly quiet. 

She mumbled and trembled as she accepted the class trophy from Celebrate Clay Trustee George M. Egan. 

Not only did the prestigious honor bring an always-appreciated focus on the work done at Clay Behavioral; it came with a $15,000 award. 

“I'm overwhelmed. I love it,” Toto said. “I love that behavioral health gets the recognition. There's always going to be a big surprise to everybody. Oh, man, I'm shaking. I didn’t expect this.” 

According to the Paul and Klare Reinhold Foundation, which has presented Celebrate Clay since 2009 and distributed more than $1.472 million to 100 Clay County nonprofits, Clay Behavioral served more than 3,700 residents, with more than 90% of whom lived at or less than poverty level. Toto’s group ensured finances don’t dictate access to care. And with their mobile response team, neither does transportation. 

“In 2025, they responded to 274 crisis calls and arrived within 60 minutes 100% of the time,” Towe said. “With a 93% diversion rate, they stabilized individuals in their own environment, and they prevented unnecessary trauma, law enforcement involvement or hospitalization. 

“As a researcher, these are impressive metrics for efficiency. But as a provider, I hear the story of high-end care that inspires me most. A 14-year-old struggling with self-harm who, after an emergency home visit, was connected to a safety plan. A 76-year-old woman facing isolation and social distancing who was help-stacked with a vulnerable community. And an individual experiencing a panic attack who was met with immediate compassion rather than a peace siren.” 

Midway into the final presentation, it became clear Clay Behavioral was the winner. And yet, Toto waited until she heard the words. 

“This organization strengthens our entire social infrastructure, partnering with schools, hospitals and first responders to build a more resilient Clay County,” Towe said. “At a time when our systems are stretched thin, they have stood firm as key role models for building a system that saves lives, restores hope and ensures that no one faces a crisis alone.” 

The Reinhold Foundation awarded $100,000 Tuesday morning to 47 recipients from 43 community programs at the Thrasher-Horne Conference Center. This year’s judges were Vice President of Commercial Banking at Ameris Bank Jan Conrad, Owner and Principal of Partners with Nonprofits DeAnn Collins Dockery, Board Chairman of Vallencourt Construction Michael Vallencourt and Reinhold family members Towe and Paul Myers. 

Celebrate Clay Chairman J.F. Bryan IV said the number of outstanding Clay County and regionally based nonprofits, churches and school programs creates difficult choices for the judges. 

“Being a judge is much more difficult than it used to be,” he said. “The other thing, when we first started doing this, they didn't know each other. They were duplicating each other. Now they know each other. Now they all know each other, and they all are genuinely happy with each other.” 

Other top award-winners included Judge’s Choice Awards to Clothes Closet and Food Pantry and Teen Court of Clay County; The Jack Myers Executive Director of the Year Award to Kathleen Spears of Waste Not Want Not; and the Peggy Bryan Volunteer of the Year Award to Sid Rooy of Personal Energy Transportation carts at Penney Retirement Community. Each received $7,000. 

Cecilia Larson of Quigley House and Jay Heather of The James Boys each were awarded $3,500 for Judge’s Choice Volunteer Awards, while Special Judges’ Awards worth $2,000 were given to AMIkids Clay, Clay County Community Band, Clay County Early Literacy, First Coast Women’s Services, Impact Clay, Pace Center for Girls Clay, Project REACH Kids/Clay County District Schools, Seamark Ranch, Vision is Priceless and The Way Free Medical Clinic. 

Category wins were worth $1,000 each, and they went to: Arts and Culture – Concert on the Green and The Island Theater; Civic Programs – Historical Society of Orange Park, First Coast Crime Stoppers, Clay County Historical Society and Village Improvement GFWC Green Cove Springs; Community Programs – Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, Clay County Habitat for Humanity, Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs, Lake Area Ministries, Mercy Support Services and Saved 2 Serve; Education and Literacy – ACE Mentor Program of NE FL and Clay Education Foundation; Environmental and Animal Advocacy – CJ Acres Animal Rescue Farm and Clay County Humane Society; Health and Human Services – Ascension St. Vincent’s Healthcare, BASCA, Dreams Come True and Operation Lifeline; Senior Citizen’s Programs – Shepherd's Center of Orange Park; Church Service Programs – Salvation Army, St. Catherine’s Conference/St. Vincent de Paul and St. Luke Catholic Charities; Accomplishments by Youth – Boys and Girls Club of NE FL and Clay County Sheriff’s Explorers Post 987; and, Service in Youth and Families – Better Together, Clay 4-H Association, Take Stock in Children YMCA and Young Life Clay County.