This fund was established in 1999 by the Lucy Gooding Charitable Foundation Trust to support the Craniofacial Center’s activities performed to assist families with children with cleft lip/palate and facial differences.

Lucy Bell Gooding was a native of Anderson, SC and came to Jacksonville, FL in 1929 to work at the former Independent Life and Accident Insurance Company. After 23 years as a clerk in the accounting department, she married James Henry Gooding, a founder and president of Independent, and retired. Lucy was elected a director of Independent in 1956 and held that post for 38 years. James Gooding passed away in 1954.

Lucy Gooding’s philanthropy was concentrated on providing medical school scholarships and gifts to educational institutions for construction projects as well as for operating budgets. She also gave to social service organizations for the benefit of children. In 1988, she established the Lucy Gooding Charitable Foundation Trust to further her philanthropic efforts. From 1988 through 2001, the foundation gave away $6.8 million. The Gooding Trust has been a supporter of the Craniofacial Center and its many programs since 1991.

Lucy Bell Gooding passed away on March 7, 2002 at the age of 99.