CBC New Media Vice President & General Manager Jimmy Goodmon is now a member of the Salvation Army National Advisory Board. He attended his first meeting and was welcomed into the group on Thursday, January 22, 2015, in Jackson, Mississippi.
As a member of the board he will help oversee national initiatives and programs. The organization meets three times a year as a whole and smaller sub-committees meet in between. He will serve alongside former First Lady Laura Bush, Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Charlotte Jones Anderson, and Krispy Kreme President & CEO Tony Thompson among others. Members are nominated by the local Salvation Army Advisory Boards on which they serve.
Goodmon’s affinity for the Salvation Army started early. His mom, Barbara, took him and his little brother, Michael, to participate in sports at the SA when they were very young. She served the Salvation Army of Wake County on its Advisory Board and is now a Lifetime Member of that board.
“Mom was very involved at the Salvation Army when we were young,” said Goodmon. “She was adamant we weren’t going to live life sheltered from the reality of hardships others face.”
As the boys got older, Barbara Goodmon started them volunteering in the soup kitchen serving meals to the homeless. Jimmy remembers being in 5th or 6th grade when they started serving.
“It was extremely eye-opening; we began to see reality,” he said.
Then they began spending two days every Christmas working in the toy store, first stocking the gift tables and in later years helping parents pick out gifts.
What began as a great place to play tee-ball turned into a place where Jimmy Goodmon has a passion to serve.
“I have a lifelong love affair with the Salvation Army that started with sports,” said Goodmon.
He started on the local Advisory Board for the Salvation Army of Wake County, for which is currently serving a two-year term as Chair. He also spear-headed the organization’s $12 million Capital Campaign for the Center of Hope.
His proudest honor hangs on the wall of his office. In 2012, he received the Certificate of Exceptional Service, a national honor presented by the Salvation Army and signed by the National Commander.
“It’s the greatest award I’ve ever received,” he said. “One thing I’m most proud about.”
Goodmon plans to pass on his passion for service to his three boys when they get old enough to pitch in.
“I want them to know there are people out there who need help,” said Goodmon. “It’s our obligation, it’s our opportunity, to help.”
Thanks to NMG’s Libby Marshall for these capcom photos.