It was back in 1956 when a couple of University of Kansas graduates exchanged vows. She was born in Wichita and earned her degree in political science; he was from Lawrence and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. Little did either of them know that the next 65 years would take them around the world thanks to his career in the energy industry, as well as their becoming admired philanthropists. And during those decades, they not only raised three daughters, they instilled in them the importance of giving back.
Eventually Sally and Forrest Hoglund settled down in Dallas. Along with their daughters (Kelly Compton, Shelly Dee and Kristy Robinson) and their grandchildren, the couple has become renowned for The Hoglund Foundation’s generosity as well as their hands-on involvement in North Texas nonprofit programs.
Thanks to the Hoglund family, more than $55M has been “provided to support families and education causes” including Family Compass, North Dallas Shared Ministries, Prison Entrepreneurship Program, Teach For America – DFW, Children At Risk, Promise House, Casa de Esperanza, Child Poverty Action Lab, Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, Genesis Women’s Shelter’s Shelter Ministries of Dallas, Commit!, The Family Place, The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Education Opens Doors, TexProtects, Interfaith Family Services, UT Southwestern, Momentum Café and countless others.
When it came to applying their personal talents, a couple of examples were Forrest’s chairing the $185M fundraising campaign for the creation of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Sally’s co-founding The Family Place’s legendary Partners Card program.
While they’ve received accolades like the Linz Award, The Senior Source’s Spirit of Generations Award, Dallas Historical Society’s Philanthropy Award for Excellence, and Casa de Esperanza’s Paul Daugherty Award, their purpose was clearly to provide for others.
As Forrest put it, “Sally and I consider giving back to our communities an obligation. Having our children and grandchildren involved in our good works brings us great joy, and we know that our work will continue through the commitment of our family to enrich the lives of others.”
The Hoglund grandchildren, aka The Hoglund Foundation’s “Junior Board,” knew just how to celebrate Sally’s 80th birthday back in 2018. They “picked her up and brought her to celebrate her birthday with all of the families with Pokey O’s ice cream and sandwiches, arts and crafts and lots of balloons” at Sally’s House emergency shelter on The Family Place’s Safe Campus.
Foundation Executive Director Kelly Compton admits that the foundation has proven to have a double benefit, “Obviously, the local community benefits, but the foundation has become a way to bring our family even closer together.”
In recognition of their decades of generosity of funds and talents, the Hoglund family will be honored with the VolunteerNow Lifetime Achievement Award at VolunteerNow’s 14th Annual Hearts of Texas Luncheon on Tuesday, June 29, at Belo Mansion, as part of the organization’s 50th anniversary celebration.
The Hoglunds will be in good company, with past award recipients Peggy Oglesby Allison, the late Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler, Laura Bush, the late Rita and the late Gov. Bill Clements, John Cuellar, Linda Custard, Melissa and Trevor Fetter, Nancy Halbreich, Lyda Hill, Sheila B. Johnson, Charlotte Jones, Gene Jones, Junior League of Fort Worth, Joan Katz, Lisa Kraus, Dr. Bobby B. Lyle, Janie McGarr, Carolyn Miller, David B. Miller, the late Phil Montgomery, Erle Nye, Connie O’Neill, Rozanne Rosenthal, Roger Staubach, Texas Jewish Post, Donna Arp Weitzman and Todd Williams
Another highlight of the luncheon will be the presentation of the Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler Award to The Senior Source for “the exemplary way they leverage volunteers to further their mission of assisting older adults.”
The only other recipient of the Altshuler Award was the Junior League of Dallas in 2019.
According to VolunteerNow CEO Tammy Richards, “As our organization commemorates our 50th birthday this year, it is only fitting that we recognize two Dallas treasures who have significantly impacted our community, the Hoglund family and The Senior Source. Both have high standards for others through their dedication to the community — the Hoglund family for their ongoing leadership and philanthropy, and The Senior Source, which serves as an advocate for older adults. We are extremely honored to celebrate both of these inspirational award recipients.”
Luncheon Chair Bill Braxton has also arranged to have “Homeless to Harvard” author Liz Murray as the keynote speaker for the fundraising event.
Sponsors of the 2021 Hearts Of Texas Luncheon include the following:
- Diamond — Lyda Hill Philanthropies
- Ruby — The Hoglund Foundation
- Gold — Carolyn and David Miller and Texas Instruments
- Silver — Phyllis Bernstein, Hunt Consolidated Inc., The Sarah and Ross Perot Jr. Foundation and Carolyn and Karl Rathjen
- Bronze – Cheryl and Roy Alson, Bill and Bonnie Braxton/Ben and Sue Casey, Children’s Health, Chuck Eikenberg, Kristi Estes/Marissa Solis, J.M. Haggar Jr. Family Foundation, Karen and Alan Katz, Lisa and Peter Kraus, Oncor Electric Delivery Company, Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation, The Senior Source, Mr. and Mrs. William T. Solomon, Southern Methodist University and Kathy Quinn/Tammy Richards
- Patron — LaRhonda Brown-Barrett, Linda Buford, Linda and Bill Custard, GXA; Erle Nye and Lisa and Ron Ragland
Individual tickets are available for $200 with sponsorships ranging from $2,500-$50,000 and patron level providing two seats for $500.
BTW, if you have some spare time or are looking for a reason to feel better, consider checking out VolunteerNow. They’re matchmakers in hooking up folks and nonprofits for that special connection.
* Graphic/photo provided by VolunteerNow