2020 has brought unprecedented challenges across every aspect of life and work worldwide. Incredible people have risen to the challenge—pivoting, reinventing, reimagining and working harder than ever before. Birmingham’s non-profit leaders transformed annual galas into virtual gatherings, transitioned runs into races for runners to complete on their own time, and innovated new ways to raise funds and provide services to those in need throughout the Magic City. We asked our nonprofit partners to nominate the volunteers who helped them get through this year. We are proud to spotlight some of the individuals who played integral roles as Birmingham’s 2020 Trailblazers.
Name: Franny Jones
Work: Speed Spa
Charity: The Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation
Motivation: My parents have always been involved with the Reed Foundation and when I moved back to Birmingham, I knew I wanted to help finish the fight against GI cancer.
What I Gained from 2020: Our company was shut down for two months, so I got to spend time with my parents and brother and his new fiancé, which I would not have been able to do normally since they lived in New York City prior to the pandemic.
