Samuel Bruce McDonald Samuel Bruce McDonald grew up in West Palm Beach with his mother (the late Mary V. McDonald-Wilson), and brother (the late Herbert Lawrence McDonald). He graduated from Industrial High School (now U. B. Kinsey-Palmview Elementary School of the Arts) in 1946. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama.

After serving in the United States Army, European Theater, he returned to West Palm Beach and began his career as an educator. He later received a master’s degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University. He continued religious studies in the Diocese of Southeast Florida School of Ministry and served as a vestryman at St. Patrick' and St. Gregory's Episcopal Churches.

Mr. McDonald, now a retired administrator, was an intricate part of the School District of Palm Beach County for 32 years. He has been a classroom teacher ( Roosevelt High School), President of the professional organization of Negro teachers (Palm Beach Teachers Association), administrative assistant (Central Junior High School), assistant principal (Roosevelt High School), initial principal of Boca Raton Middle School, South Area Superintendent as well as adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach County Community College.

Mr. McDonald was called out of retirement twice to serve as principal: John F. Kennedy Middle School and later Roosevelt Elementary School. He came out of retirement in September 1999 to become Interim President/CEO for the Urban League. Then accepted the responsibilities of Interim Executive Director, Hope House of the Palm Beaches, Inc.

He served as School District consultant at Boca Raton High School and Congress Middle School.

As an advocate for children, Mr. McDonald has been an advisor, organizer, board member, and president of various funding, nonprofit, civic and social organizations. Some of which were: Steering Committee for Children's Services Council, Board of Directors for the United Way of the Palm Beaches, George Sidney Miles Scholarship Fund, Inc., Pre-natal & Infant Health Care Coalition Board of Directors, Palm Beach County Head Start Policy Council, Palm Beach County Full Service School Oversight Council, Foster Care Citizen Review Steering Committee, Palm Beach County Center of Excellence, Inc., Delray Beach Drug Task Force, HIPPY (Home Instruction Program for Parents of Youngsters), Village Academy School Advisory Committee, Glades Community Development Corporation, Inc., Board of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach & Martin Counties, Mary & Robert Pew Public Education Fund Trustee, Kiwanis Club (Sunrise - Boca Raton), Torch Club International (Boca Raton).

At the time of his death, he was a member of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, Charter member of the West Palm Beach Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Urban League, NAACP, EPOCH ( Expanding and Preserving Our Cultural Heritage, Inc.- Spady Cultural Museum in Delray) and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"Along with championing opportunities for achievement and excellence for all children, Mr. McDonald was a devoted father to Sylvia McDonald-Kaufman (Earl), Tammy A. McDonald, and Bruce N. McDonald (Pamela) and Delphine V. McDonald; grandfather to Arthur McDonald, Robyn McDonald, Bruce McDonald, Spenser McDonald and Connor McDonald; and great grandfather to Rori and Aria McDonald."

His philosophy: "One's purpose in life must be to help others reach beyond their immediate grasp".