Texas Discovery Gardens’ Flora Award is presented annually to honor “outstanding citizens and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to community service, education and the environment.” In the past such recipients have included Lindalyn Adams, Allie Beth and Pierce Allman; Ruth Altshuler; Laura and George W. Bush; Mary Anne Cree; Barbara Hunt Crow; Nancy and Bob Dedman; Louise Spence Griffeth; Margaret Hunt Hill; Mimi Lay Hodges; Caroline Rose Hunt; Lady Bird Johnson; Jan Pickens; Deedie and Rusty Rose; John Thompson, Jodie Thompson and Jere Thompson and Dee and Charles Wyly, to name a few.
This year’s award is going to a really big honoree — the State Fair of Texas!
Makes perfect sense since, “Through the years, the State Fair of Texas has contributed millions of dollars to worthy causes throughout North Texas. Many of these philanthropic gifts have directly benefited neighborhoods and residents closest to Fair Park. Texas Discovery Gardens is one of the many not-for-profit organizations that has been enhanced by the State Fair’s generosity. Since 1992, the Big Texas Scholarship Program has awarded more than $15 million to college students, among many other attributes.”
Despite the very best efforts of Co-Chairs Sarah Freeman, Rita Klein and Nancie Wager, Honorary Co-Chairs Jan and Fred Hegi and their family and Special Advisors George Baker, Ann Dyer and Rick Slaven, Big Tex won’t be able to make it to the black tie dinner in Texas Discovery Gardens’ Grand Hall on Thursday, November 11. Word has it that he couldn’t find a tuxedo in his size.
Warning: If you’re wanting a huge affair with more than a thousand in attendance, this one isn’t for you. It’s one of those fundraising gems that is enhanced with a grand supper provided by Art2Catering Proprietor Cassandra Tomassetti and the Gardens made even more beautiful thanks to Garden Gate’s Junior Villanueva.
Sponsorships and tickets are now available by calling 214.428.7476.
* Photo credit: Kevin Brown