North Fort Myers Volunteer Honored for 8,500 Band Program Hours

Jimey Moad received the Florida Department of Education's 2025-2026 Outstanding School Volunteer Award for his decade of work with North Fort Myers High School's band program. The School Board of Lee County recognized him at their June 9 meeting.

Moad has volunteered approximately 8,500 hours since 2016, when his daughters participated in the marching band. After they graduated, he continued, dedicating between 5 and 35 hours weekly to the program. He handles logistics, equipment maintenance, safety protocols, and fundraising across marching band, concert and jazz ensembles, competitive indoor percussion, and guard ensembles. Since 2016, he has assisted nearly 2,000 students.

"With this group of band parents that I'm with, we don't do it to be recognized," Moad said. "We enjoy giving back. We are like wallpaper. We get out there, we do what they need us to do, and then we go into the background because the spotlight should be on the kids."

Director of Bands Michael Flores-Perez said Moad's work ensures students can focus on musicianship while logistics run smoothly behind the scenes. Principal Debbie Diggs credited Moad's volunteer efforts with increasing student achievement and decreasing chronic absenteeism in the band program, building a sense of family and teamwork among students.

The Florida Department of Education presents the Outstanding School Volunteer Award annually to K-12 public school volunteers in three categories: Volunteer, Youth Volunteer, and Senior Volunteer.