The O’Neal School announced Wednesday Drs. Lynda and Jeff Acker as honorary co-chairs for the School’s 2019 Annual Auction Benefit to happen on Saturday, February 23.
Parents of Caroline (Grade 7) and Christina (Grade 5), Jeff and Lynda have been involved with many facets of the School since they first enrolled their daughters in pre-kindergarten.
A master gardener, Lynda has been instrumental in allowing O’Neal’s lower school students to have hands-on experience with growing plants and releasing monarch butterflies. From flower growing sessions in O’Neal’s greenhouse to setting up a butterfly tent in the Lower School atrium, Lynda has given much of her time to enriching O’Neal students.
“Our experience at O’Neal has been outstanding,” say the Ackers. “O’Neal provides excellent academics, competitive sports programs, a wide variety of extracurricular activities, and an emphasis on character, community, and developing the whole child. We feel blessed to be a part of this school.”
Presently, Lynda is a member of O’Neal’s Board of Trustees where she serves as secretary, is a member of the Executive Committee, chairperson of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and is a member of the Committee on Trustees. Lynda, in collaboration with O’Neal parent Bart O’Connor, is the co-creator of the Landmark Garden. She and Jeff are Landmark Society members.
Jeff is a radiation oncologist and director of the Cancer Center at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. Earning a PhD in Physiology, Lynda is the founder and president of a clinical documentation firm called Abilis, Inc.
In addition to her work at O’Neal, Lynda is co-creator of The Healing Garden at Clara McLean House and the Hospice Gardens at FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care. She is also helping to create the Village Heritage Foundation Native Pollinator Garden. Lynda is a member of the Clara McLean House Advisory Council, Southern Pines Garden Club and Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church.
With ties to Chautauqua, NY, Lynda presently is a board member of the Chautauqua Bird, Tree and Garden Club as well as a coordinator for Chautauqua’s “Monarch Moments & More” lecture series.
Lynda and Jeff enjoy spending time with their children by taking walks with their dogs, playing with their cats, watching movies and traveling.
The community is invited to attend O’Neal’s Denim & Diamonds Auction Benefit on February 23 at the Pinehurst Country Club. The Benefit is O’Neal’s largest fundraising event that supports the annual operating budget of the School. 300 tickets will be available this year, and the event will feature live and silent auctions, mobile bidding, raffles, cocktails, a seated dinner and after party.
An Auction Preview event will be held Friday, February 22 from 9-Noon. The Preview can be attended free of charge. Benefit tickets can now be purchased online. Please go to www.ONealSchool.org for more information.
Feature photo: O’Neal is excited to announce Drs. Jeff and Lynda Acker as honorary co-chairs for its Denim and Diamonds Annual Auction Benefit.
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