Board of Directors

Stories of changed lives

Contact the Board of Directors at .

Featured Board Member

Mary Olson

President

Mary Olson is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Speech Pathology. She has served on the Orlando Union Rescue Mission’s Board of Directors since September 2006.

Prior to joining the Board, Mrs. Olson contributed to Orange County Public Schools as a speech pathologist, as well as an officer for many Parent-Teacher Associations. She has also been a member of the Dow Jones Investment Club for 40 years, holding the offices of President and Treasurer. Currently, Mrs. Olson is the Beta Lambda House Corporation Treasurer at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and is very active in events and activities that take place with the university’s Tri Delta Sorority. Mrs. Olson also finds time to serve as Board Secretary for Aquafiber Technologies Corporation. Her diverse experience also includes 30 years of association with Olson’s Investments, which deals with private portfolios and real-estate transactions.

Donald E. Moody

Executive Director

Donald E. Moody has been Executive Director of the Orlando Union Rescue Mission since 1978. Mr. Moody began his service to the homeless over 40 years ago and has faithfully served at a variety of rescue missions along the east coast including: Union Mission (Charleston, WV), City Rescue Mission (Jacksonville, FL), and Huntington City Mission (Huntington, WV).

Since Mr. Moody began his work at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, the following milestones have been reached:

Renovations completed for the Men’s Division—The new shelter includes 44 dormitory beds, chapel facility upgrades and dining room expansion.
Launching a 16,000-square-foot Bargain Store—Although a major fire destroyed the original facility, the store was rebuilt with 6,000 additional square feet.
New family shelter opened—As the population of homeless women, single mothers, and families increased, the Mission built a special facility dedicated to meeting these needs in 1988. An additional wing was opened in 1993.
Family Life Center built in 1998—This facility provides literacy and job training, daycare while parents go to work or attend school, Bible studies and other support to help families get back on their feet.
Acquisition of a 3,468-square-foot Donation Center—The additional space allows the Mission to accept more gifts in kind and provides a centralized location where they can be efficiently collected and distributed to each facility as needed.

Mr. Moody and his wife, Patricia, reside in Clermont, FL. They have two daughters and six grandchildren.

Through Mr. Moody’s faithful leadership and stewardship at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, thousands of men, women and children have not only found refuge in a place to call home, but have also come to know the hope that Jesus Christ has to offer.