For the past eight years, Donnie Rhett Koonce has been working at Charlotte Optometric Clinic in North Carolina as an ophthalmic technician. A dedicated philanthropist, Donnie Rhett Koonce supports a wide range of community-focused organizations. While growing up, he was a member of Jack and Jill of America from age ten to seventeen.
Founded in 1938, Jack and Jill of America is a membership organization for African-American mothers and their children. The mission statement of the organization is to “nurture future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.” As part of his participation with his local Jack and Jill chapter, Donnie Rhett Koonce provided community service to organizations that dedicated to helping at-risk communities. This included working at food banks, homeless shelters, and literature programs. Donnie Rhett Koonce’s participation in Jack and Jill of America had a lifelong influence on his desire to serve at-risk populations.
Donnie Rhett Koonce 