Margaret Miller

Retired From Careers, but not From Philanthropy

BY MARGARET MILLER

Lucinda Holloway and Jimmy McKinney are using their retirement to enrich the lives of others. Both are local philanthropists, in that they are devoting their time and resources to helping people. After all, philanthropists come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and levels of wealth. Though their financial resources pale in comparison with Bill and Melinda Gates, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey or Elon Musk, Holloway and McKinney probably give more of their personal time to their charitable interests than their wealthy counterparts.

Lucinda Holloway is president of the Brassy Ladies, a local social-civic club that was organized nearly 15 years ago. Its purpose was to give elderly women a group in which they could socialize monthly, by doing fun things like going out to lunch, movies, concerts, etc.

Because of the pandemic, the focus of the group, which numbers fewer than 20, has changed. The money that they previously spent on themselves now is used to help others. Their projects during the pandemic include donating to the homeless, retired military groups, nursing home staff and public school staff.

Though the pandemic prevents the ladies from gathering now, they take great pride in helping others, by preparing food for the sick, helping with housework and transporting some to doctor's appointments, among other acts of service. Holloway, who retired after 30 years of employment with the federal government, said: “A local couple was so impressed with our commitment to community service, they donated hundreds of dollars for us to use in our community.”

Now that the pandemic seems to be moving toward becoming endemic, Holloway, an energetic advocate for the elderly, said that she sees the group continuing to have fun, as well as rendering community service.

Margaret Miller has been a resident of Cherokee County for the past decade. Her writing hobby led her to become a columnist for community and daily newspapers.

The Jimmy Mac Foundation

Jimmy McKinney, a retired corporate leader, established his own charitable organization: the Jimmy Mac Foundation. Unlike the philanthropists mentioned earlier, McKinney is a man of modest financial means, but he has a strong desire to help people locally, as well as internationally.

The Hartford, Connecticut, native said: “I have always had a passion for helping others via mentoring, community service, outreach, etc.” He has friends and acquaintances who also share his love of service to others; thus, the Jimmy Mac Foundation was created.

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; all donations are taxdeductible.

“Close to 100% of donations to the Jimmy Mac Foundation go directly toward initiatives and programs. All work is done on a volunteer basis,” McKinney said. “TNTS (The Nerve to Serve), an outreach ministry at Allen Temple AME Church, has been faithful in supplying manpower for local projects. Our marketing and overhead expenses are minimal. All of the administrative expenses are less than 1%. None of the officers are paid.”

The foundation partners with several local, national and international organizations, including MUST Ministries, Feeding America, Life for Children’s Ministries and Habitat for Humanity.

For additional information, visit www.jimmymacfoundation.org.

The Brassy Ladies