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After earning a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, ophthalmic assistant Donnie Rhett Koonce attended the master’s level biomedical science program at Wake Forest University. Donnie Rhett Koonce is affiliated with several notable organizations, including participating in Boys Scouts of America and Jack and Jill of America as a youth.
Founded in 1938 to provide leadership development opportunities to Black children and youth, Jack and Jill of America has since expanded to more than 200 chapters nationwide. In 2008, the organization launched Rebuild America, a collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. The aim of the project is to build one home for a vulnerable family or individual in each of the organization’s seven regions.
Building projects have been planned in Chicago, New Orleans, Wilmington, and Philadelphia. In addition to donating their time and manpower to build the homes, Jack and Jill members also held fundraising events to raise the $1 million needed to finance the project. By 2016, volunteers had completed five houses in five cities.
