St. Philip’s School & Community Center always seems to have interesting folks show up. For instance, four years ago, they had Henry “The Fonz” Winkler talk to the students in the gym before the Destiny Awards Luncheon benefit. After the get-together, it was obvious that the Fonzie was rather blown away by the student body. Unless you’ve experienced a St. Philip’s get-together, you don’t know how impressive the kiddos are.
It’s now been announced that the 14th annual Destiny Awards Luncheon Co-Chairs Fredye Factor and Ashlee Kleinert have arranged to have award-winning Marlee Matlin as the keynote speaker for the St. Philip’s benefit on Friday, February 28.
(Touch of irony: It was Winkler whose discovery of Marlee that led to her being cast in “Children of a Lesser God” for which she won the Golden Globe and Academy Award. It was also in Winkler’s home that Marlee married Burbank police officer Kevin Grandalski 20 years ago.)
Profoundly deaf since infancy, Marlee has continued to expand her talents by becoming an accomplished author and supporter of the American Red Cross, Easter Seals, Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Stand Up To Cancer, Starlight Children’s Foundation and many others.
In addition to Marlee’s appearance, the luncheon will recognize “exceptional leadership by a corporation, nonprofit organization and two individuals in building bridges between diverse communities.”
Hopefully, Henry has warned Marlee that she’s got quite an experience ahead of her when she enters the world of St. Philip’s.
For ticket information, call Virgina Hall at 214.421.5221. In addition to the luncheon, you get to have a St. Philip’s experience and that’s well worth the price of admission.
* Graphic provided by Destiny Luncheon