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12 Who Care 2009: Gary Snyder

 Jamie Valet  Phil Amato     Created: 9/21/2009 5:34:05 PM    Updated: 10/1/2009 8:34:19 PM
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JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Cardiologist Gary Snyder has been healing hearts in Jacksonville for 30 years. And those who are less fortunate are singing his praises.

Dr. Snyder volunteers his time to help folks with developmental disabilities at A.C.E., the Agency for Community Empowerment.

Before A.C.E., Dr. Snyder was one of the main fundraisers for 15 years for another non-profit, the Grove House.

Synder says, "you always feel that if you are blessed to be able to be successful in the community. To have a nice job as a cardiologist you want to give back to the community. You want to be able to help people who are less fortunate than yourselves."

Dr. Synder donated a hundred items to the Grove House auction worth fifteen thousand dollars by working his social network.

"I know half the hospitals in town cringed every time they saw Gary walking down the hall because he would say what, you can't come up with 50 bucks?"

He even hit up Donald Trump for a donation. All in an effort to make lives a bit easier for people like Sara, who was injured in a bomb blast in Iraq while she was in the army.

Sara says, "I've been unemployed for almost a year so I would really like to work my way out of unemployment. "

Dr. Synder also helped Jewish immigrants from Russia when they came to Jacksonville years ago and still sees some of those patients today.

"When you say how can he do all this? He's feeding his soul with altruistic work. And that's helping the healer continuously."

Dr. Gary Synder, who uses his heart to help others, we recognize you as one of 12 Who Cares.

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