With Wilkinson Center‘s 2022 Can Do! Luncheon just days away, Nancy Cain Marcus and Sanford Robertson hosted the patron party at their fabulous Park Cities home on Thursday, March 31. Luncheon Chair Nelda Cain Pickens and Wilkinson Center Anne Reeder Corley had great news to share… the luncheon taking place on Monday, April 4, at the Dallas Country Club was sold out! Here’s a report from the field:
Wilkinson Center’s Can Do! Luncheon Chair Nelda Cain Pickens, along with patron party hosts Nancy Cain Marcus and Sanford Robertson, were joined by nearly 80 sponsors and supporters at a reception held in their honor on Thursday, March 31, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Upon arrival, guests like Brenda and Nelson Spencer, Theresa Dillard, Linda and Les Secrest, Elizabeth Gambrell, Lisa Koen, Clay Howard, Annette and Clarence Anderson, Paul Corley, Carol and Don Glendenning, Gay and Bill Solomon, Brad Stephens, Betty Regard, Gail Thomas, Emilynn Wilson, Lola and Todd Lott, Bill Jackson, Kristina Hedden-McGratty and Clayton McGratty, Caren McGratty, Sklyar and Brian Rosol, Joyce and Neil Shoop, Katie and Kip Skipworth, OJ DeSouza, Heather and Chris Gilker, David Griffin and Cheryl and Lynn Eskridge and Martha Hinojosa mingled as they enjoyed wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Midway through the evening Pickens gathered the crowd to thank them for their support of the upcoming 10th annual Can Do! Luncheon on Monday, April 4, and announced that it’s officially sold out. As a member of Wilkinson Center’s board of directors, she also shared the important work that Wilkinson Center has continued to do in the community throughout the pandemic, providing hope through food access, workforce opportunities and free education for Dallas county families.
Executive director Anne Reeder followed to echo her gratitude to all in attendance, including to the evening’s hosts for opening their home, to Pickens for all of her hard work as this year’s Can Do! chair, and to Honorary Chair Margot Perot for her ongoing support. She also shared that the Can Do! Luncheon will serve as the kick-off for Wilkinson Center’s 40th anniversary, and she looked forward to celebrating this important milestone at the upcoming event, in addition to recognizing the recipients of the 2022 Can Do! Awards, given to those who exemplify entrepreneurship in philanthropy and the “can do” spirit that makes great things happen in our community:
- Can Do! Individual Award – Liza Collins and Rachel Stephens are being recognized for honoring the legacy of the late Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler by continuing her long-standing food drive benefiting Wilkinson Center and three other Dallas nonprofits.
- Can Do! Organization Award – Texas Mutual Insurance for their ongoing generosity to Wilkinson Center and many other area non-profits working hard to serve our community.
- Can Do! Client Award – Ana Ramirez, a graduate of Wilkinson Center’s high school equivalency class and Patient Care Technician program, in addition to recently becoming a US citizen and studying to take the National Patient Care Technician exam.
- Kids Can Too! Award – The Guthrie Kids – Felix, Joseph and Judith who for 10 years have set the example for their peers by asking friends to donated shelf-stable food to Wilkinson Center for at-school birthday parties.
In parting, attendees each received a favor bag courtesy of EpiCentre Skincare & Laser Center/Laura Suberg and Nina Spadaccino, which included ZO Skin Health products and a hydrafacial gift certificate.
The 10th annual Can Do! Luncheon would not be possible without the generous support of this year’s sponsors including:
- Award Sponsors ($25,000) – Margot Perot, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert/Hunt Cares, Ellen and John McStay/Morning Star Family Foundation and Nancy Cain Marcus and Sanford Robertson
- Premier Sponsors ($10,000) – Carol and Don Glendenning/Locke Lord and Carolyn and David B. Miller
- Can Do! Sponsors ($5,000) – Robyn and Don Conlon, Nelda Cain Pickens, Marian and Rob Richmond, Brenda Spencer and The Thomas Foundation
* Photo credit: Nate Rehlander
Anne Reeder says
Thank you, Jeanne, for your great coverage of this very special evening hosted by Nancy, Nelda and Sandy..
Fondly,
Anne Reeder