# **TRAILBLAZERS** About Town has covered almost 1,200 charity events in the last 12 years. Every issue revolves around the non-profits that have made our town the Magic City. If you didn’t know, Birmingham is consistently rated one of the most charitable cities in the country. So, we decided to ask our charity contacts to tell us who are some of the people that have given their time to help them. Here are the people they nominated. Here are our 2017 Trailblazers.
Laura Gosney**WORK**Coordinator Recruitment at Children’s of Alabama**CHARITY**Hand in Paw**MOTOVATION**As I began working at Children’s of Alabama, I noticed the animals in the lobby and wondered how they were allowed inside a hospital. I inquired for more information and learned about Hand in Paw and their Petscription Program. Shortly thereafter I got a puppy of my own and becoming a therapy team with Hand in Paw seemed like the logical next step. We cherished our time as a therapy team, but Lula has since retired. My love for Hand in Paw hasn’t stopped, though. I am still actively involved on their Junior Board.**BEST OF BHAM**Change. Birmingham is not the city it was when I was in high school. My perspective of Birmingham continues to change thanks to initiatives such as the Pizitz building, Regions Field, the Rotary Trail and the Zyp BikeShare program to name a few. It is exciting to see the impact my generation is having on the great city of Birmingham.
Handley McCrory**WORK**Owner & Executive Plannerat Handley Breaux Designs**CHARITY**Mitchell’s Place**MOTOVATION**Working with, and being around children has always made my heart happy. So when I had the opportunity to join the Mitchell’s Place Junior Council, it seemed like a natural fit. Everyone involved with the organization has worked to create a safe and inviting space for the children to grow, dream, and learn. The biggest take away for me has been the education that I, myself, have received about Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is really eye opening to see just how many families are affected with the prevalence of 1 in 68 individuals receiving a diagnosis. I am really proud to be a part of an organization where the teachers and staff are dedicated and committed to making sure every child and family is welcomed with open arms. **BEST OF BHAM**The renaissance that is happening in the downtown area and the explosion of so many new small businesses. It is exciting!Photo: Rob & Wynter Photography
Hillary Campbell**WORK**Associate atBradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP**CHARITY**American Cancer Society **MOTOVATION**I don’t think there is one person I know that hasn’t in some way been affected by cancer. Cancer doesn’t know – or care – about age, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. Not only did both of my grandmothers have breast cancer, but one of my closest friends had thyroid cancer in her twenties. It’s critical that we develop new cures and treatments to fight cancer. Raising money for the Steel City Soiree was such a great way to raise funds to go back into our community by supporting research to find these new cures and treatments. The money we raised also helped support the Hope Lodge, which is a place cancer patients and their caregivers can stay free of charge for as long as they need while they receive treatment. **BEST OF BHAM**I love that there are so many young people in Birmingham that are passionate about giving back to our community and committed to supporting so many good causes.
Ronnie Rice**WORK**Firm Administrator & Attorney atAlexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys**CHARITY**Boys & Girls Club of Central Alabama**MOTOVATION**My reasoning for working with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama is because of the impact that the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama had on my life as a child. The Boys and Girls Club served as a safe haven, second home, and a place for encouragement for me. Being a product of single parent household, the first in my family to graduate from college, and now an attorney, I have developed an appreciation for people and/or organizations whose sole mission and goal is to help the less-fortunate. **BEST OF BHAM**One of my favorite aspects of Birmingham are the people. A lot of people here are friendly, business-oriented, and, more importantly, very philanthropic.
Lauren Leach**WORK**Director, Strategic Planning and BusinessDevelopment at UAB Medicine**CHARITY**Childcare Resources**MOTOVATION**As a working mother, I know that quality childcare is extremely important. Childcare Resources helps families find quality childcare while also helping educators at the facilities provide the best learning environment possible.**BEST OF BHAM**I really enjoy all the new businesses moving into Downtown. The new hotels, restaurants, and employers are making Birmingham a must see destination!
Walter Kelley**WORK**Commercial Sales and LeasingARC Realty**CHARITY**Cornerstone School of Alabama**MOTOVATION**When I moved to Birmingham. I was looking for a way to give back. A mentor of mine was sharing his testimony with me one day and mentioned Cornerstone School prompting me to inquire about the mission. It was immediately apparent that everyone involved with Cornerstone works tirelessly to “ empower children to glorify God”. The ripple effect of the Christian foundations this organization is laying in children’s lives will reach far and wide, which is why I became a part of the Cornerstone family **BEST OF BHAM**Railroad Park. It truly weaves the social fabric of Birmingham together through amagnificent example of creating space.
Rachel Young**WORK**Commercial BusinessDevelopment Representative,Spire (formerly Alagasco)**CHARITY**The Arc of Jefferson County**MOTOVATION**When I found out that 88% of the people served by The Arc of Jefferson County have no family to take care of them, I decided I wanted to get involved with this incredible organization. The Arc serves over 700 individuals in Central Alabama and has four core programs: Early Intervention, Residential, Employment Training and Adult Day Programs. The people served by The Arc are just such wonderful people and a joy to be around. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving such an impactful and necessary organization. **BEST OF BHAM**There are so many things that I love about Birmingham, but one of my favorites is that the city has such a close-knit community that genuinely loves to help its citizens. Birmingham is one of the most generous and giving cities in the countryand it is obvious. Birmingham has so much to offer and the city just continues to improve.
Benjamin Teske**WORK**Director of Lending ServicesAmerica’s First Federal Credit Union**CHARITY**United Ability **MOTOVATION**My triplet sons and my triplet nephews have all received in home early intervention therapy from United Ability. One of my triplets also has triplegic cerebral palsy and gets world-class care from United Ability’s Dr. Law and the fantastic therapists that work there. United Ability is also special in that they serve all people with unique abilities from birth throughout adulthood, and improve our communities and citizens by integrating those with unique abilities with typical children and adults – thereby highlighting the beauty of what makes people different, not their adversities.**BEST OF BHAM**Birmingham has always been my home and I love almost everything about it. I love what’s happening with the food and beverage scene, I love the energy around the city’s rejuvenation projects and spirit, and I love the Alabama hospitality that serves as a catalyst for all of this positive change.
Christopher Daniel**WORK**Attorney atSheffield and Lentine, P.C.**CHARITY**Daniel Foundation of Alabama **MOTOVATION**I was born, raised, educated, married, and live in Birmingham. I’m very blessed to even have an opportunity to support the people of Alabama in the capacity that serving as a trustee for the Daniel Foundation grants me. I’m motivated by the fact that I don’t want to ever think about myself as the kind of person that has the ability to help others and chooses not to. Our city and state have thousands of people doing amazing work through schools, churches, and non-profits. Providing resources for those same folks to keep doing that work is a real blessing.
**BEST OF BHAM**If you’re going to ask me one specific thing as of today, I’d argue the energy this city and surrounding areas have created out of thin air in the past ten years is truly remarkable. My favorite part of the metro Birmingham region is watching us grow together and become an optimistic city with a bright future.
Lucy Daniel**WORK**Clinical Pharmacist**CHARITY**Alabama Ballet/Birmingham Zoo **MOTOVATION**Both the Ballet and the Zoo touch and educate thousands of Alabamians a year. The Ballet’s “CityDance” program brings classical and modern dance instruction to children in the third, fourth, and fifth grade when their school might not have a dance program otherwise. As for the Zoo, if you’ve ever been there during the summer and seen fifteen school buses in the parking lot from all corners of Alabama, it’s clear that our state has a true educational gem here in Birmingham. Both of these causes are close to my heart and I’m grateful for the chance to support them.**BEST OF BHAM**I’m proud that the healthcare industry in Birmingham is the largest job-engine in the region. Our hospitals - both adult and pediatric - are some of the best in the country. Knowing that people from all over come to Birmingham for cutting edge medical treatment is fantastic and I hope the growth continues.
Lacy Gunnoe**WORK**Lieutenant Colonel (Select), USAFKC-135 Instructor/Evaluator PilotAssociate Professor of Aerospace StudiesSamford University**CHARITY**Team Red, White, & Blue **MOTOVATION**One of our Lieutenants wanted to bring veterans together in our unit to exercise. Our Flight Doc suggested we start a “Team RWB” Chapter to impact our community simultaneously. I saw the benefit of how it would affect us, and quickly realized this would impact the lives of the veterans in our city. I am continually inspired how we are able to enrich the lives of Birmingham’s veterans through physical and social activities with the help of so many civilians and veterans volunteering their time, energy, and resources. We have the privilege of working with Teams For Troops, Alabama Veteran, Still Serving Veterans, VETBHAM, and many more who do so much for our growing community.**BEST OF BHAM**My favorite part of Birmingham (besides the variety of amazing food) is the community it provides. From the way our universities like Samford help build it, to how Railroad Park provides opportunity for it, or how my Woodlawn Campus of the Church of the Highlands serve it, I love the daily opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself, which is our community.
Sarah Walker**WORK**Realtor - LAH Real Estate**CHARITY**Philanthropic Educational Organization& Vulcan Park and Museum Walking Tour **MOTOVATION**I’ve always believed education is a never-ending journey. A very lovely friend invited me to one of my local chapter’s P.E.O. luncheons and I was instantly honored to know so many women who cared about helping others. Also, not only as a realtor, but as a historic preservationist, I’m passionate about sharing the importance of maintaining the architectural, cultural, and historical integrity of our past. Being part of Vulcan Park’s Walking Tour allows me this opportunity.
**BEST OF BHAM**Birmingham has a rich and very important past that is cherished by so many residents. Our eclectic southern city provides us with a variety ofwonderful restaurants, music, entertainment,and beautiful skyline views.
Meagan Philips**WORK**Realtor - LAH Real Estate**CHARITY**Special Equestrians **MOTOVATION**I grew up riding horses and began competing at an early age. My two horses are still a big part of my life today. Special E was introduced to me by a dear family friend. She was able to be a part of this amazing program and it helped her immensely! Special E combines my passion for horses and people, and I feel very fortunate to have served with such a great organization.**BEST OF BHAM**I have two favorite things about B’ham. We are blessed with an incredible food scene - so many talented chefs and wonderful restaurants in our area.The other being our geographical location.You can get to the beach, lake, mountainsand several large cities allwithin a few hours drive.
## Zachary Andrews - Make-a-Wish // Hibbett Sports## Roger Ball - Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) // Commercial Valuation Services ## Katie Beck - Greater Birmingham Humane Society // Style Advertising## Julianne Bernstein - Alabama Solar Industry Association // Brilliant Rack & Cantsink## Alyssa Bray - Make-a-Wish // Children’s of Alabama## Margaret Brooke - Children’s of Alabama, United Way of Central Alabama // Cobbs Allen## Heath Buckner - St. Vincent’s Foundation // Brookline Capital Partners## Tenesha Burns - Disability Rights and Resources // Spain Rehabilitation Center at UAB## Hillary Campbell - American Cancer Society // Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP## Michael Clarke - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alabama // Second Row Law, LLC## Mary Frances Colley - The ARC of Jefferson County // The ARC of Jefferson of County## Chris D’Amico - St. Vincent’s Foundation // BTC Wholesale Distributors Inc. ## Christopher Daniel - The Daniel Foundation // Sheffield and Lentine, P.C.## Matthew Dyer - Camp Smile-a-Mile // Culinard, The Culinary Institute of Virginia College## Allison Eden - Junior Achievement of Alabama // Regions Bank## Jessica Estrada - St. Vincent’s Foundation // St. Vincent’s## Ashley Foster - Hand in Paw // American Foundation for Suicide Prevention## Katherine Gordeau - American Cancer Society // IPC USA## Brittany Gordon - United Ability // HealthSouth Corporation## Laura Gooney - Hand in Paw // Children’s of Alabama## Ashley Grimsley - Salvation Army, United Way, Aletheia House // Brasfield & Gorrie## Lacy Gunnoe - Team RWB // Samford AFROTC## Lorenzo Johnson - Outreach Chair, YPBirmingham, The Rotaract Club, Growing Kings, Inc. // Alabama Media Group## Abbott Jones - Birmingham Bar Foundation // Opera Birmingham## Walter Kelley - Cornerstone Schools // ARC Realty## Lauren Leach - Childcare Resources // UAB Medicine## Handley McCrory - Mitchell’s Place // Handley Breaux Designs## Amy McKinney - Mitchell’s Place // SUI Satellites Unlimited## Julie Moon - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society // The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society## Barbara Mulligan - Junior Achievement of Alabama // Regions Bank## Laurie Negre - Ronald McDonald House, The ARC of Jefferson County // American Mining Insurance## Mary Anne Phillips - St. Vincent’s Foundation // Merrill Lynch## Lynn Priester - Hand in Paw // Ray & Poynor Properties## Margaret Priester - Hand in Paw // Regions Bank# Heidi Ramey - Childcare Resources // Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL## Katherine Robertson - Cornerstone Schools // Alabama Attorney General’s Office## Haley Scallions - Junior League of Birmingham // Weezie B## Logan Shoaf - Kulture City // Big Communications## Katie Siqueria - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society // The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society## Jeanie Sleadd - Birmingham Education Foundation Project, Rotaract // Heninger Garrison Davis Law Firm## Brandon Stewart - The Phoenix Club of Birmingham, Birmingham Zoo Junior Board // Starboard Investments## Ben Teske - United Ability // America’s First Federal Credit Union## Courtney Underwood - Greater Birmingham Humane Society // Greater Birmingham Humane Society## Eleanor Walter - Opera Birmingham // Opera Birmingham## Jaclyn Walz - YPBirmingham // BioHorizons## Ginny Willings - Salvation Army, United Way, Aletheia House // Brasfield & Gorrie## Rachel Young - The ARC of Jefferson County // Spire Energy
