Betty Smith

“If a person is in need and calls me, I will be there,” is a volunteer commitment that Betty Smith made and has kept for over 18 years.

Since retiring in 1989 from her job as an office manager, Betty, now 83, has spent thousands of hours giving to many senior citizen community programs such as: RSVP of Duval County, Jacksonville-Duval County Council on Elder Affairs, Club FAVOR, Independent Living Program, Foster Grandparent Program, Community and Senior Center Program and the Mayor’s Special Events such as the Fish-a-Thon, Holiday Festival and Senior Prom.

Betty also volunteered for nonprofit agencies for people of all ages that included: Junior Achievement, American Lung Association, The Arthritis Foundation, Guardian Ad Litem, Prevent Blindness, The Salvation Army, Dreams Come True, I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, Taylor Home, City Rescue Mission, Pace Center for Girls, Children’s Home Society and the Museum of Science and History.

Betty has a special passion for being an ambassador for seniors. She has tirelessly cultivated relationships in the business community, increasing their awareness of the positive and vital role that seniors play and soliciting donations and contributions. As a result of her tenacious spirit, hundreds of seniors have received valuable door prizes from Wal-Mart, one of her biggest supporters, and other businesses, and thousands of dollars have been given to help agencies improve the quality of life for Jacksonville’s seniors.

All of Betty’s enthusiasm and vitality to this cause create a magical holiday spirit of giving year-round that benefits so many worthy seniors. Betty’s commitment speaks volumes about her love of people and her tireless and selfless devotion to volunteering.