Where one holds a kickoff party often sets the tempo and tone of the big event to come. So Thursday night the Greer Garson Gala kickoff at Bachendorf’s Preston Center not only provided for dazzling eye candy in the display cases but among the guests as well.
Initially, Greer Garson Gala Co-chair Brooke Shelby admitted concern about a turnout for the announcement of plans for the April 21 event. Just on cue as Katie and Lawrence Bock walked in the door, a crowd paraded in following them.
Good thing they arrived because the plans for the fundraiser are in keeping with the glamour, graciousness and generosity of its namesake. Texas Health Presbyterian Foundation President Jay McAuley briefly addressed the crowd, made up of those who knew Greer and those who were mere toddlers when she lived in Dallas in the penthouse at 3525. What even many knowledgeable folks didn’t realize, the late flaming-haired Academy Award-winning actress spent her final days at Presbyterian. In fact her suite was named after her and is available for residents today. Jay also told how she wanted to take care of the Presbyterian grounds even after her death and that the benches found throughout the campus were a gift from her.
Then Jay introduced Brooke and her husband/co-chair Aaron, who told that in keeping with the Garson era of cinema, the 2012 Greer Garson Gala would be “The Golden Age of Hollywood” focusing on 1943 when the Academy Awards were presented at the Coconut Grove and GG took home the Best Actress Award for her performance in the title role of Mrs. Miniver. It was at this time that she also set a record that still stands today for giving the longest acceptance speech in AA history — five minutes and 30 seconds.
But unlike Greer, Brooke kept her description of the evening brief and to the point. It will be held at Union Station for 500 with dinner by Hollywood chef Wolfgang Puck and entertainment a la 1940’s.
Honorary Chair Amy and Corey Prestidge will be joined by the following cast in funds to support critical needs of Women and Infant Services at Texas Health Dallas:
2012 Committee — Margarita and David Coale, Mary C and Bill Corrigan, Zarife Deulofeut, Jennifer and Chris LeLash, Brooke Malouf, Randi and Peter McParlin, Andrea Nayfa, Holli and Dr. James B. Park, Kristi and Chase Perry, Kim and Terry Quinn, Mollie and Randall Shelby, Keri Tonn and David Heard and Anna and Brad Voss.
2012 Host Committee — Gina and Ken Betts, Janet and Wyatt Davis, Courtney and Doug Denby, Jennifer and Richard Dix, Amy K. Donovan, Juli and Rob Elston, Angella and Blake Estess, Janet and Rick Frésquez, Giselle and David Gafford, Hillary and Eric Gilbert, Mary and John Gill M.D., Missy and Joe Hillesheim, Melissa and Bret Holland, Janet Ivy, JJ and Sean Jackson, Maggie and Grant Kipp, Katherine LaLonde, Allison and Richard Leigh, Julie and Kevin Linderman, Jodi and Brad McGary, Robin and Christian Metten, Mary Martha and John Pickens, Hon. Mary and Mike Poss, Tonya and Todd Ramsey, Heather and Ashton Randall, Kristen and Matt Rittenmeyer, Tanya S. Roberts, Honey and Louis Rothermel, Paige and John W. Slates III, D’Andra Simmons and Colin Duchin, Cindy and David Stager Jr., Tricia and Randy Touchstone, Elizabeth Tripplehorn, Paige Westhoff and Alicia Wood.
Maggie Kipp says
Thank you, Jeanne – another great write-up! I am going to share the link on Facebook.
Jennifer LeLash says
Thank you Jeanne for your generous coverage for our amazing Gala and Kick off!
And for enlightening our community of the gracious gifts and
good that Greer Garson did for Texas Health Presbyterian ,
past, present and future. See you April 21, 2012.