Yes, former First Couple Laura and George W. Bush have been keeping a pretty low profile since moving back to Dallas. Well, as low a profile as possible when you consider they are accompanied by an entourage of Secret Service folks.
Wednesday night they opened their home for “Special Friends” of the 2010 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award Dinner that will take place at the Anatole on Thursday, November 11, benefiting Methodist Health System. If you’ll remember, Laura received the Folsom Award in 2008 and the late Norman Brinker received it last year.
Established in 2005, the award was named in honor of former Dallas Mayor Bob Folsom and presented to those who “demonstrate commitment and excellence in the community leadership” emulating the achievements of the Mayor.
This year’s awardees Pat and Emmitt Smith (pictured right with, from the left, Laura Bush and Pat Smith) may also be the busiest people in Texas when you consider their philanthropic projects, his being inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and their just having baby Elijah on September 22.
After a brief welcome by the former president, Methodist Health System Foundation President/CEO April Box Chamberlain described the Smiths as the “Dream Team” in their representing Bob Folsom’s legacy of love and commitment of service to our community.”
While luncheon Co-chair Troy Aikman was unable to make the event, his fellow teammate and Co-chair Daryl Johnston (pictured center with April Box Chamberlain and George W. Bush) told the group that Pat and Emmitt had requested that “proceeds from this year’s Folsom Event support indigent care. This is intensely meaningful as Methodist Healthy System strives each day to provide quality health care to a growing number of disadvantaged families in their service area — particularly in Southern Dallas County. Pat and Emmitt have a demonstrated passion for reaching out and helping those who need it the most.”
Emmitt responded, “Pat and I want to thank Daryl and Troy for being a part of this prestigious award. Being able to extend our hands to the less fortunate opens our hearts and make us feel very blessed. To whom much is given, much is expected. We try not to take things for granted and do our very best to help others.”
Among the guests were Bob Folsom’s wife Margaret and their son Steve Folsom, who is Methodist Health System Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman, along with Norman’s widow Toni Brinker (pictured center with, from the left Pat and Pete Schenkel and Dr. Stephen and Marilyn Mansfield).
(Photo credits: Scott Hagar and Ronnie Dunlap)