A Tribute to an All-American Fundraiser

On January 3, 2010, Bruce Joyner will officially raise his last dollars as an employee for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).  Amazingly, 33 years earlier (to the day), he raised his first dollars as a professional fundraiser – that too for children suffering from cystic fibrosis.   

 

After a long, selfless and esteemed fundraising career (all of which was at CFF), Bruce Joyner will soon begin his journey into retirement.  It will mark the end to an incredible career in which he accomplished far more than he ever imagined.    Through his unique fundraising versatility, Bruce has raised, directly or indirectly, many hundreds of millions of dollars for cystic fibrosis research.  

 

Perhaps, above all else, Bruce Joyner’s fundraising career will be best defined by two things: his “grandfather” letter and his passion to personally thank every donor for their contribution to the CF Foundation.

 

So what’s next for Bruce? He’s being pretty close-mouthed on his future plans. 

I’m sure he’ll continue hosting his annual bike ride, from which he donates pledges and contributions to the fight against cystic fibrosis, and I most certainly expect that we’ll see him fishing along the Carolina coast. 

 

There is wide spread speculation among his closest friends, however, that we just might find Bruce, on o’kayson, sitting back with a couple of sticks in his hand, simply “girl watching.”

 

No kidding. It’s a well know fact, at least around his home town of Wilson, North Carolina, that Bruce is a “girl watcher.” The concern is that with so much idle time on his hands, Bruce might just revert back to his olds ways. 

 

What’s that you wonder? Well, a little known fact about Bruce Joyner is that before becoming a fundraiser, he was a 1960s ROCK STAR! That’s right. As drummer for a band called the O’Kaysons, Bruce received a gold record for their hit song, “I’m a Girl Watcher.”   Take a look at this rare music video footage: (remember he’s the drummer).

 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raJWuz7qQVc&feature=related

 

It’s truly been a pleasure to have worked with Bruce for nearly 75% of his fundraising career and even a greater honor to be able to call him a friend.   Please join me in extending a heartfelt thanks to Bruce Joyner for 33 years of dedication and outstanding contributions to our industry.  He is truly a great American fundraiser.

 

-Greg Fox

 

Comments

[cheap ugg boots]

I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

[Dan Smith]

As the father of a child with Cystic Fibrosis, I am grateful for the efforts you put forth. Thank you so much for leading the way for the rest of us!