Chattanooga’s people and institutions long have had an honored reputation for charitable work and generosity. It is always a pleasure to thank them.
So it will be a happy occasion on Nov. 10 when the Southeastern Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognizes some worthy Chattanoogans at a public luncheon.
* Dr. Joseph A. Jackson and his wife, Mary B. Jackson, have been chosen as Chattanooga’s “Outstanding Philanthropists.”
* Bill Wilder will be honored as “Leadership Fundraiser of the Year.”
* Unum insurance and Carrabba’s restaurant will be recognized as “Corporate Philanthropists of the Year.”
Dr. Jackson was professor and dean of libraries at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1973 to 1994.
Professor Mary Jackson served for 20 years in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, the Army Nurse Corps Reserve, as director of nursing at Erlanger and as an assistant professor at the University of Alabama before coming to UTC, where she founded the School of Nursing. She also obtained $75,000 in grants to fund a Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society chapter at UTC.
The Jacksons also created the Professor Mary B. Jackson Founders Chair in Nursing, established the Mary B. Jackson Professorship, the Professor Mary B. Jackson Award for Nursing Students and the Dr. Joseph A. Jackson Library Award.
Wilder, agency manager and vice president of BB&T Huffaker and Trimble insurance, was chairman of the YMCA Strong Kids campaign, and has led capital campaigns for the YMCA, Teen Challenge and United Way. He is raising support for Bible in the Schools, and he has served on several boards.
Carrabba’s donated the restaurant’s opening-night proceeds to charity, and under owner Miguel Morales, it has supported more than 80 charitable organizations.
Unum has given millions of dollars and many volunteer hours to schools, food banks, education, arts, and health and wellness projects.
All of the honorees deserve congratulations for their contributions to Chattanooga’s wonderful philanthropic tradition.