Jessica Neeley of Richmond Hill has been selected as a candidate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year campaign. Neeley joins other community leaders to see who can raise the most money for the organization in a 10-week time period, which started March 27. Money raised during the campaign will advance LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
Neeley grew up in Woodinville, Wash., and is a Bothell High School graduate. She graduated from Skagit Valley College with an associate's degree in 2001 and currently is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business management at Georgia Southwestern State University.  Neeley has worked for Workmen's Circle Credit Union for more than eight years and currently is a loan-servicing specialist. She is the president of the Small Business Chamber Toastmasters Club and was chosen as Toastmaster of the Year for 2012-13.  
She and her husband Glenn have a son and a daughter, and the family enjoys traveling and boating.  
Neeley said a book inspired her to get involved with the LLS.
“In December,  I read the book ‘Lean In’ and I decided I would do just that in 2014. The Man and Woman of the Year campaign is a great opportunity to learn something new while giving back to a wonderful cause,” she said.  
Every dollar raised by a candidate counts as one vote. The man and the woman who have the most votes will be named the “2014 Man and Woman of the Year.” The event, in its second year in Savannah, is expected by organizers to raise $220,000. Neeley’s personal team goal is $100,000.
“We are looking forward to another successful campaign and are thrilled that Jessica is part of it,” campaign manager Cinda Baker said. “We know that these candidates, like those before them, will give tirelessly of themselves to further our cause. We also look forward to welcoming the community to the exciting grand finale in June to see how their hard work pays off.”
More than 200 people are expected to attend the June 6 grand-finale celebration at the Charles H. Morris Center in Savannah. The night will begin with a silent auction and reception, followed by the event program and dinner. The 2014 Man and Woman of the Year campaign is supported by Ben Carter Enterprises, Wet Willie’s Management Corp. and First Citizen Bank.