A record may have been set Friday at the Each Moment Matters. Yes, they raised $353,430 and honored The Harold Simmons Foundation with the EMM Lifetime Achievement Award and 49 EMM Honorees (Isabelle K. Adams and Katherine K. Adams, Gil H. Andres, Mike Blake, Eleanor and Howard Bond Ph.D., Frank D. Bracken, Dalene Buhl, Owen Simpson Buntyn, Brent E. Christopher, Wendell Cox, Janet Denney, Nancy Diebolt, Suzanne Dwight, Rebecca Gafford, Marla Gravens, William Gruver, Ernest Higginbotham, Martha Hardwick Hofmeister, Kay and David Jordan Ph.D., Mrs. Melvin “Dean” Kadesky, Charles Kemp, Sharon King, Dan Klein, Mary and Roger Kuehn, John “Victor” Lattimore Jr., Jody W. Lindh, Francie Mancillas, Ellen H. and Conrad, J. Masterson Jr., Wil McCall, William McGinnis, Cyndy and Rev. Dr. Blair Monie, Ruth P. Morgan Ph.D. Sara Bernice Moseley, Helen and Jimmy Payton Sr., Terry Price,Rev. Dr. Nancy Ramsay, Sydney Reid-Hedge, Leonard Riggs M.D., Orville C. Rogers, Valerie Sanchez, Presbyterian Village North, Sew and Sews, Janet Sims, Kent Skipper Ph.D., Randy Smith, Rev. Dr. Clem Gordon Sorley, Kitty St. Claire, Betty and Ray Stephens M.D., Adelle and Jim Taylor, Rev. Dr. John D. Williams and Mark Wischmeyer).
But they also managed to break a time record for a lunch this season.
Benefiting Faith Presbyterian Hospice, the luncheon officially started at 12:05 and at 12:57 guests surprised the valet parkers with “It’s over,” sending the staff hustling for vehicles.
What a gift on a Friday and proving that “each moment does matter.” After all, this event was held to raise money to create a hospice center for all in the area. What a downer? No. Hospice is the kindest service provided to individuals and their families as the final stage of life takes place. One only has to experience the confusion, helplessness and anxiety that occurs when it’s determined that life is ending. Hospice professionals manage to bring a sense of calm, comfort, dignity and relief for all involved.
Maybe that’s the reason why luncheon Co-chairs Kimber Hartmann and Mary Ann Hyde appreciated their guests’ time and didn’t want to have a luncheon that went on and on. In addition to recognizing the 49 honorees and the commemorative book that included their portraits and stories, a video was presented recognizing the support by the Simmons Foundation. It was 10 years ago that the Foundation provided a grant to purchase computers for Faith Presbyterian Hospice. This past year the Foundation gave FPH a $10M grant for the Harold Simmons Foundation Inpatient Care Center at the T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center.
It was also revealed that Charlotte and Don Test had given $2.5M to help fund the future hospice center’s Outdoor Reflection Center.
These numbers plus past donations bring the total amount committed to more than $30M. But the goal is $45M and a groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for November 2013.
To help get closer to that goal, PC&SF Board of Trustees Chair Nell Carvell told the audience that The Turning Point Foundation and two anonymous donors had offered a matching grant for pledges up to $50,000. Only problem? The offer was only good til midnight.
Then the group was thanked for their attendance and the lunch was done. Well, sorta. Yes, there were those who scampered happily to their cars, but many stayed to discuss what they had heard and congratulate those who make such a great difference in the community.
