With a leadership background as Atlanta-based FirstView Financial CEO, Jerome Uffner has extensive payment technology services experience. Community involved, Jerome Uffner supports the nonprofit Backpack Blessings, which focuses on the needs of children in providing Blue Bags. These combine nutritious food with books, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and fun items that enrich lives.One of the value-added aspects of Backpack Blessings is its work as mission partner with annual Christ-focused DNOW (Disciple Now) youth retreats. Events organized provide a sense of fellowship to middle and high school students, with participants initially meeting at the Mt. Bethel Sanctuary. After students learn their “host family” assignment, they are welcomed into households that provide them with a break from their everyday lives and have a worship focus that brings God front and center. Among the activities organized are projects that help community members in need, including cleaning, light construction, yard work, and serving food at local parks. These activities reinforce the practical nature of their mission and the importance of helping those out who are less fortunate.
Jerome Uffner serves as the general manager of prepaid for FIS in Jacksonville, Florida. Outside of his professional obligations, Jerome Uffner is a member of the board of directors of Backpack Blessings, a charitable organization that provides food for students in need from the Cobb County School District who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches, but who may lack access to food on the weekends. The organization focuses on building trusting relationships with the students that it assists. Volunteers fill backpacks with food that meets children’s basic nutritional needs, as well as treats and other items to help them feel special and appreciated. The backpacks may also contain items such as books, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Every Friday, the backpacks are delivered to students, ensuring that they have food to take home over the weekend.Schools served by the program include Fair Oaks Elementary, one of Backpack Blessings’ partner schools. During one visit in 2017, students at the school received Girl Scout cookies as a surprise treat and subsequently expressed their gratitude through thank you notes. For more information about this organization, please visit Backpackblessings.org.
