As predicted, the fundraisers thrilled Thursday, November 7. Some claimed it was because of the addition of the JFK 50th anniversary associated events. Others swore it was just “That’s how things are this time of year.” Regardless, the attempt was made to cover as many as possible and here are the results for a couple of lunches held during the day:
Spirit of Generations 2013 Luncheon
Trying to get near the 20th Annual Spirit of Generations honoree/former Dallas City Manager George Schrader was harder than getting nose-to-nose with a former U.S. president. Not because of the security. Rather it was because the man was three-deep in friends at the VIP reception in the Hilton Anatole’s Wedgwood Room. The array of folks in the room looked like a Who’s Who of Dallas Leadership — Ray Hunt, Linus Wright, Adlene Harrison, Gerald Turner, Reuben Esquivel, Debbie Oates, Jan and Fred Hegi, John Scovell, Sharon Popham, Scott Wilson and so many others. While it shouldn’t have been surprising, it seemed a little overwhelming to the city manager who served with four Dallas mayors (Wes Wise, Adlene Harrison, Bob Folsom and Jack Evans).
During his 16 years in the Dallas city manager’s office, Schrader was part of some of the area’s major projects including the opening of D-FW International Airport, the building of Dallas City Hall, the building and opening of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, the creation of Reunion and the recommendation and initial undertaking of the present Arts District.
Once the reception was over, the VIP’s joined the sell-out crowd in the Chantilly Ballroom that included all the former Dallas City Manager who had succeeded George, friends and family from his home state of Kansas, countless former staffers and people who just wanted to honor George.
Against a dynamite backdrop of the skyline of Dallas, Luncheon Co-Chairs Kathy Helm and Carolyn Miller arranged to have Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings pop by to pay his respects to the man who had set so many things in motion for today’s Dallas.
Typical of the Spirit of Generations luncheon that benefits The Senior Source, laughter was on the agenda. This year it was actor Robin McGee, who pretended to be meeting George at Schrader’s favorite meeting spot — Cindi’s NY Deli — and revealed some nuggets about the former Eagle Scout.
But despite the laughter, the tone changed to a very touching one when George accepted the award. It was obvious that the man who had championed major projects, dealt with business leaders and politicos and earned countless accolades was truly amazed and struck by the turnout and the feelings conveyed. Despite his humility, the accolades were deserved and appreciated.
Genesis HeROs’ Luncheon
Thanks to a non-stop member of the MySweetCharity community, this report was filed:
“When it comes to domestic violence, men can’t just be “good guys” or set good examples in their own homes. They have to play a much larger role, openly pledging their zero tolerance for domestic abuse against all woman.
“That seemed to be the main theme at a luncheon for HeROs, the men’s auxiliary for Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, at the Royal Oaks Country Club on Nov. 7. Crayton Webb with Mary Kay Inc. is board chair for HeROs, which stands for He Respects Others. Mary Kay also sponsored the luncheon.
“With about 200 HeROs in attendance, keynote speaker Dale Hansen—sports anchor at WFAA-TV—gave a talk that was by turns rousing, inspiring, humorous and emotional. Hansen recalled how his own father had broken his mother’s nose when Dale was 7 years old. “Never had such a big man appeared so small in the eyes of a little boy,” he said. Of the domestic-violence issue as a whole, Hansen said that because men have remained quiet too long, “ending it begins with us. And, it can end with us.”
“The HeROS luncheon—whose attendees included attorney Morgan Meyer; Hunt Oil’s Travis Armayor; and Jan Langbein, CEO of Genesis parent Shelter Ministries of Dallas—was the Genesis men’s auxiliary’s third summit in the last year. The first occurred a year ago, and the second followed Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings’ Men Against Domestic Violence Rally in March.”
* Photos provided by HeROs