Dr. Joseph A. Jackson and his wife, professor Mary B. Jackson, will be honored as Chattanooga’s Outstanding Philanthropists on Nov. 10 by the Southeastern Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Bill Wilder will also be honored as Leadership Fundraiser of the Year, and Unum and Carrabba’s as Corporate Philanthropists of the Year during the luncheon.
National Philanthropy Day was begun 26 years ago to reflect on the meaning of giving and recognize individuals and companies who go above and beyond the call of duty in giving back to their community.
If You GoWhat: National Philanthropy Day LuncheonWhen: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10Where: Chattanooga Convention CenterTickets: $40 per person, $400 table of eightReservation deadline: Nov. 3For information: www.ch-cs.org/npd.html or 468-1122
“It’s our way to recognize individuals who have been very generous with their time and money. We also do it to encourage the rest of the community. By showing people the philanthropic efforts going on, it encourages others to give as well,” said AFP board member Katie Harbison.
“The Jacksons are an especially touching story as they are both educators — not the typical picture when you think of a philanthropist,” said Christa Mannarino, director of development for major gifts at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Outstanding Philanthropists: Dr. Joe A. Jackson and Professor Mary B. Jackson
Dr. Jackson was professor and dean of libraries at UTC from 1973-1994. He was the first dean of libraries in the state ,and his commitment to the profession helped earn librarians faculty status.
Professor Jackson spent 20 years nursing in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, the Army Nurse Corps Reserve, as director of nursing at Erlanger and an assistant professor at the University of Alabama before coming to UTC in 1973.
She founded UTC’s School of Nursing and secured $75,000 in grants to fund a Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society chapter at UTC.
The couple created the Professor Mary B. Jackson Founders Chair in Nursing to ensure the nursing school continued to thrive. They also established the Mary B. Jackson Professorship, a travel and research fund for the Chair; the Professor Mary B. Jackson Award for Nursing Students and the Dr. Joseph A. Jackson Library Award, which is given annually to the outstanding library faculty member.
Leadership Fundraiser of the Year: Bill Wilder
Having been in the insurance business since 1975, Mr. Wilder is agency manager/vice president of BB&T Huffaker & Trimble.
He chaired the YMCA Strong Kids campaign and co-chaired the Y’s metro capital campaign in 2004. He has also led capital campaigns for Teen Challenge, Orange Grove and United Way of Greater Chattanooga. He currently is raising support for Bible in the schools.
He has served on the boards of Bible in Public Schools, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, YMCA and United Way.
Corporate Philanthropists of the Year: UNUM and Carrabba’s.
Carrabba’s began its tradition of giving when the restaurant donated proceeds from its opening night to a local charity. Led by owner Miguel Morales, the local restaurant has since supported more than 80 local charitable organizations.
Unum’s commitment is to provide benefits to the communities its employees call home, according to a news release. The company has given millions of dollars to schools, food banks, education, the arts, health and wellness projects as well as thousands of employee volunteer hours.