Diamond Donors show long-term commitment
Jim Moseley was a nine-year-old living in Jacksonville when he first heard about the Community Fund Drive. With encouragement from a teacher, he began collecting his money and made his first donation. This small act of kindness launched a volunteer fund-raising career that spans more than six decades.Throughout the years, the organization’s name has changed from Community Fund to Community Chest to United Fund and finally, United Way — yet Mr. Moseley’s dedication has continued unchanged.
Mr. Moseley gave through grade school, high school, and during his time at the Citadel. After returning from the Army in 1967, he served as a volunteer fund collector with United Way for two years.
“This was one activity where you can help a lot of agencies,” Mr. Mosely said. “There are a lot of agencies that can do okay on their own, but we were helping them to be a part of a bigger organization.”
That organization, United Way, is the network of human service programs that works in partnership with volunteers, community organizations, and leaders to tackle critical issues facing children, youth, and families.
Mr. Moseley’s wife, Anne, kept up with the family tradition of giving to United Way and served as a fundraiser for Jacksonville’s Southside in 1970 and in all of the suburbs in 1971. Her efforts were rewarded when she received the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award in 1971.
“United Way is such a wonderful organization to be a part of,” Mrs. Moseley said. “They have the ability to do so much for so many.”
As the Moseleys’ love for the Jacksonville community grew, so did their contributions. Mr. Moseley and his wife have been Tocqueville Society members for 14 years. The Tocqueville Society is a devoted group of individuals who annually contribute $10,000 or more.
Starting in 1979, Mr. Moseley was named President for United Way of Northeast Florida, while Mrs. Moseley served on the board of Family Counseling Services (now called Family Foundations).
“Being on the board with Family Counseling is where I really came in contact with what was being done,” she said. “It was so wonderful to be doing all these things for these people who couldn’t afford it otherwise. I think families are important; they are the cornerstone of the country.”
In 1996, when United Way re-organized its governance, Jim became the first Board of Trustees Chair. Through their dedicated leadership, the Moseleys have generously given their time, talents, and money to United Way for well over 25 years – making them Diamond Donors. A Diamond Donor is an individual or couple that has been donating to any United Way for more than 25 years.
“We are old Jacksonville folks,” Mr. Moseley said. “We have been here a long time. We are committed to the community. It is just incredible looking back and seeing where we were to where we are now. The amount of work that has been done by this United Way and the citizens of Jacksonville is just remarkable.”
For more info contact Mark LeMaire, Vice President of Planned Giving, at 904-390-3234 or email markl@uwnefl.org
