Go Giver: Sander Moody

Posted on May 30, 2012 By Editor Our Community

By Julie Kerns Garmendia

Sander Moody is a devoted father, husband, attorney and volunteer who relocated to Jacksonville from a successful law practice in New York City in 1998 when he and his physician wife, Laura, were ready to start their family. The couple chose an Avondale Tudor style home that had been remodeled to more of a classic colonial style. The best part? The 1923 home on Edgewood Avenue was in fantastic condition and move-in ready.

Now he is a committed volunteer at his children’s schools.

“We loved New York City and it is possible to raise a family there but we decided to look elsewhere. We ended up researching about 21 cities to find the best place to raise our family — we considered Westchester, NY, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Orlando and Jacksonville among others. There was just something about Jacksonville — the Jaguars had recently arrived and we knew they would have done plenty of due diligence. This market seemed poised for a great future and the city’s attributes were splashed across the media,” he said.

Moody said the family atmosphere of Avondale and park circles of Edgewood Avenue with side-by-side yards and driveways situated very close together makes for a unique group of close-knit neighbors.

“There are about 12 kids under 12 years of age on our block, where there’s always a pick-up game of baseball or something going on. Because we are in such close proximity all the adults are good friends and on any given afternoon there is risk of a happy hour breaking out. We have annual Easter egg hunts, Spring and Fall Festival celebrations: usually charmed events with perfect weather. We like to get the kids a bounce house, back up a truck, set up the big-screen TV, relax and watch the Masters Tournament in the Spring and college football in the Fall,” Moody said.

Moody is professor of law at Florida Coastal School of Law and an active eight-year volunteer at the neighborhood preschool where all three of his children have attended. Daughters Madeline Laura, 9 and Juliet Alexandra, 7, have moved on to St. Mark’s and West Riverside Elementary School respectively, but son Grayson, 5, is a student at Avondale United Methodist Child’s Day Out Preschool on Talbot Avenue.

“Sander is a devoted father who is gentle and patient; someone you can completely depend upon. He also cares about the other children here, whether it’s serving on the parent advisory board, reading to the students, playing with them or joining in their activities,” said Cindy Lawrence, director of the Methodist preschool. ” When Sander is a chaperone or helping with activities or events he watches and cares for every child, not just his own.”

The Moodys regard the preschool as highly professional, extremely focused on the well-being of the children and blessed with excellent management by director Cindy Lawrence. They also appreciate the fine group of engaged, qualified teachers.

“The school has extremely active parents which is so important,” Moody said. “Volunteering is a commitment and takes some free time and effort, but I urge every parent not to miss the opportunity to become a part of everything going on at their child’s school. It means so much to the children and teachers and the rewards and benefits to the parents and family relationships are priceless.”