Union News

Gary and Linda Moore of Sanford have established a new scholarship at Central Carolina Community College.

The Moores felt good about giving to the CCCC Foundation, knowing that the scholarships will help those in our community, not just today but in the future. "We see it as an investment that continues beyond our time here on earth," said the Moores.

Both Gary and Linda have experienced life threatening illnesses which gave them a new perspective into what is most important in life. Gary experienced a life threatening illness in 2013 and Linda is a two-time breast cancer survivor, having battled cancer in 2004 and 2014. So anything they can do now to make a difference later is even more meaningful to them.

The Moores believe that the education that CCCC will provide will enhance the lives of individuals, their families and our community for years to come. "We requested that the scholarships we provided help students who are studying education and nursing which, through our own personal experience, we know has great value for many," they said. "We have loved serving in our careers and feel our lives have been greatly enriched by the opportunity of working so closely with so many people and their many needs over the years. We are pleased to see others be able to become prepared educationally and to be able to serve the needs of others in our community. Additionally, we both believe that helping others is an outreach of our Christian faith as we seek to love and serve God and man."

Gary is a graduate of Piedmont Bible College, Guilford College and UNC-Chapel Hill. He was bivocational and worked in the ministry for 49 years and in education for 40 years. In the ministry, Gary initially worked as a youth minister at Durham Memorial Baptist Church. He then pastored small churches that included Moore Union Christian Church in Lee County for 17 years and New Elam Christian Church in Chatham County for 29 years. Gary currently fills in for ministers and speaks at various churches in the area from time to time.

Gary also worked in education for many years through the Lee County School System, working initially as a teacher and coach and later as a principal, with most of his years spent in administration. He started as a teacher and coach at Deep River High School. When he got into administration, he was the first assistant principal at West Lee Middle School and later was assistant principal at Lee Senior High School. He spent almost 24 years working as principal at Deep River Elementary School. After a two-year retirement period, he returned to be the principal at J.R. Ingram Elementary School for four years and then he served briefly as the interim principal at Southern Lee High School. His last job for Lee County Schools was that of being a part-time consultant to new principals. Gary has been retired for about five years.

Linda is a graduate of Berea College in Kentucky and Duke University. Initially, Linda worked in public health nursing in Greensboro. She was also the Head Nurse of the psychiatric unit at Duke University Medical Center for five years after having worked there as a staff nurse for two years. After she received her advanced degree from Duke University, she worked for most of her career with individuals and families as a nurse psychotherapist at the Lee Harnett Mental Health Center, the Sanford Psychiatric Group and lastly in private practice until she retired four years ago. When they first moved to Sanford, Linda worked for two years at Moore Regional Hospital as the Assistant Director of Nursing for Staff Development and Patient Advocacy, but she left that position when psychiatric/mental health positions became available in Sanford. She currently continues to facilitate a Grief Support Group at the Enrichment Center which she started many years ago.

In retirement, Gary and Linda have enjoyed traveling within the country and internationally. They also enjoy playing tennis and spending time with their six grandchildren. Their oldest daughter, Heather Miller, lives in Pittsboro with her husband David and their 15-year-old triplets - Camden, Lindley and Tyson. Their youngest daughter, Kristin Steed, lives in Atlanta with her husband Bryan and their three children - Evie age 7, Sam age 5, and McKenna age 3. Their youngest child, Michael Moore, lives in Santa Monica, CA, and works in Los Angeles. Michael's special friend is Kim Trajano. Gary and Linda's triplet grandchildren play sports, and they attend their sporting events which keeps them busy as Lindley plays volleyball, Camden baseball and Tyson basketball.

Gary and Linda are also active at First Baptist Church where Gary teaches Sunday School and serves as a deacon and Linda sings in the choir along with being active in a variety of other activities. Their faith is a very important part of their lives and who they are.

Additionally, Linda has always enjoyed being involved in community service which she has continued throughout her time in Sanford. Soon after their move to Sanford from Chapel Hill, she became active in Sanford Junior Woman's Club where she served as President. She has also served on the tlc board and the Coalition for Families Board of Directors, as well as the Sandhills Community Concert board. As a charter member of the Lee County Kiwanis Club that focuses on serving the needs of children, she has served on its board. She also currently serves on the Haven board and the CCCC Foundation board. She has always felt it was important to make a difference in the lives of others and she sees her involvement in these community organizations as a way to accomplish that. Gary was also a charter member of the Lee County Kiwanis Club and has served on the Lee County Parks and Recreation Board of Directors. Gary has also served as chairman of the Education Committee for the Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to giving of themselves through their work and through the community, Linda and Gary believe it is important to share their financial resources with others through their church, nonprofit organizations in the community, and institutions that prepare others for a better way of life like colleges. Several years ago, Gary and Linda established a scholarship at Berea College, Linda's undergraduate college, for nursing students. Berea's endowment fund continues to essentially provide its students full scholarships, making it possible for many to attend college there who couldn't otherwise attend.

Linda and Gary also financially support three children through World Vision, which they have done since their children left home. This has been a very satisfying experience as they provide for these children's needs monthly including their education. They also provide them with Christmas and birthday gifts and communicate with them regularly. The three children they support are from Sierra Leone in West Africa, Bangledesh in South Asia and Mexico. The children that World Vision seeks to support would not be able to be educated or fed physically and spiritually without the help of sponsors who individually support the children.

"It has been a joy to be a part of giving our time and our money to all of these worthwhile causes over the years, just as it is our joy to share in giving scholarships through CCCC to needy, deserving persons who want to study, be productive, and contribute to this community and to their own families," said the Moores, adding that they strongly believe that education is a very important key to a better future.

"We believe that CCCC helps to prepare many people in this geographical area for careers which gives them desirable, marketable jobs that makes them valuable to our local community, this area, and beyond," said the Moores. "We believe CCCC adds to their development educationally and culturally, giving them many opportunities for personal growth, development and advancement in their careers, which enables them to contribute to their families, their community, and the world."

Dr. Emily C. Hare, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation, said she is grateful to Gary and Linda Moore - and their generosity of establishing a scholarship at Central Carolina Community College, "Gary and Linda understand the importance of education and its role in improving the lives of individuals. They have made a tremendous difference in the betterment of our community - and I appreciate them including CCCC in their philanthropic efforts."

The Moores said that they see CCCC as being special to the students by providing them a quality education in a wide variety of fields and preparing them for the job market and/or for further education. "We're impressed that many of the faculty have advanced degrees and are very well qualified to provide the students with an excellent educational experience," said the Moores.

"We would like to encourage others to consider establishing a scholarship through the CCCC Foundation," said the Moores. Being on the CCCC Foundation Board, Linda Moore has been made more aware of how important the scholarships are to so many of the students at CCCC.

"Whether the contribution is thousands of dollars or as small as $250, it will make a difference for years to come in the lives of CCCC students which in turn will have a positive effect on our community," said the Moores. "It's an investment in the lives of others that is well worth it and will only grow in its impact and its outreach."

The CCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of, the college. It receives donations of money and equipment on behalf of CCCC and uses them to promote the educational mission of the college and assist students through scholarships and grants.

For information on giving to the CCCC Foundation, contact Dr. Emily C. Hare, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation, 919-718-7230, or ehare@cccc.edu.

Original source can be found here.