Such a day! After making the rounds of responsibility, it was the Hilton Anatole for the Each Moment Matters Luncheon. The Presbyterian Communities and Services fundraiser had hardly started (20 minutes to be exact) and the lobby of the Chantilly Ballroom was already jammed thanks to Luncheon Chair Clare Buie Chaney and Honorary Chair Barbara Lord Watkins.
Alas, with a number of “experienced-types” in the crowd, walkers of all standards were rolling around. Some had seats. Some had storage compartments. Only thing missing were cellphone and cup holders.
But even the most agile of the group of walker walkers approached the ballroom hesitantly. There were those pesky steps. The one and only ramp in sight was at the far back of the lobby. Instead of heading all the way to the ramp, most carefully and slowly took their chances with the steps.
Once in the sunken lobby, there were chairs and photos with information about each of the dozens of recipients. Faye Briggs was with her daughter Pebble McGehee and honoree Debbie Branson.
Away from the growing crowd was the day’s keynote speaker/former trial lawyer/screenwriter, David Hudgins, and his wife Meghan chatting it up with KDFW’s Clarice Tinsley.
Despite his good looks and charm, David understood the need for the services provided by Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation. The loss of his sister who died at the age of 39 due to breast cancer was life changing for the Dallas native. He gave up his law practice and moved to Tennessee to take up screenwriting fulltime. In addition to achieving success in the television and movie industry and moving to California, he created The Catherine H. Tuck Foundation “to provide financial aid for women struggling to pay their bills while in treatment for breast cancer.”
Once the ballroom doors opened, introductions were handled by Carolyn Osoinach, Ashley Mead and Cindy Douglas. Following lunch, Clarice recognized the class of 2014 honorees including: Beverly and Ken Barry, Susan Cox and Rev. Brent Barry, Anna Michele Bobadilla, Debbie Dudley Branson, Donnie Breedlove and Frank Breedlove, Barbara Samuels Cambridge, Cissy and W. Plack Carr Jr., Rev. John “Jay” Wallace Cole III, Anne R. Compton, Marilyn Corrigan, Maurine Dickey, The Gorman Family (April, Tate, John, RoryCate and Greta), Grace Presbyterian of Plano Young Adults, Vicki Hamielec, Jan and Fred Hegi, J. Scott Hendon, Annabel Hoffman, Frank A. Hollingshead, Chris Howell, Larry M. James, Terry Kittleson, Dudley Lacey, Margaret E. “Peggy” and Charles C. “Lade” Ladenberger, Barbara Lee, Peggy Madsen, Melissa McCleskey, Billye Joyce Miars, Liz Minyard-Lockey, Sanford C. Mitchell Jr., Holly Reed, Rosemary Robbins, Annadele Holm Ross, Craig D. Rubin, Susan G. Simon, Candye and William S. Spears, Gayle Weber Strange, Pat Weaver, Jim Webb, Philip M. Wentworth, Teresa Whittington, Claudia Wilder, Stan Woodward, Carole S. and Jim Young and Elizabeth Zsohar.
In addition to the celebration of the honorees, it was revealed that Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation had reached its $38.6M goal to build phase one of Faith Presbyterian Hospice’s T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center.
According to Presbyterian Communities Services President/CEO Godwin Dixon, “I want to personally thank all of the donors who have helped us reach this milestone. Their gifts will allow us to provide a hospice center that will redefine end-of-life care. This is a proud day for all of us who are working together to bring this much-needed refuge to children and families in North Texas.”