The Genesis Luncheon patron party was a surprise party in reverse on Wednesday, April 13. Most totally understood the plan of the night. It was being hosted by Rusty and Bill Duvall. But Rusty explained that it was due to Bill’s partnership with Fin Ewing and Cameron Doan. It seems that a while back the three men had commandeered the Project Shelter Golf Tournament fundraiser for the organization where four locals would team up with a pro. Since its inception, that day out on the greens had hauled in more than $6M. For their efforts, they were awarded the Genesis HeROs Award.
While Rusty attributed Bill’s involvement to his respect for women, thanks to his mother, Fin’s dated his back to his own mother, who had been on the board. It seems when her sons only offered a lame answer for why Genesis was important, her response was, “You’re having lunch with Jan Langbein [Genesis CEO].”
Since that lunch car-dealing Fin had found himself at Jan’s fundraising wheeling and dealing when needs arose. For instance, when Genesis needed a new van, Fin came up with one that would only cost $2,500. Jan countered with Genesis’ worn out vehicle, which Fin claimed had to be towed off the lot.
While the crowd including Carolyn and David Miller, Molly and Chris Thomas, Clay Duvall, John Clifford, Luncheon Co-Chair Beth Ewing, Genesis Board Chair Nancy Best, Becky Park, Mary Bowman Campbell and Frank Mihalopoulos gathered in the Duvalls’ beautiful atrium overlooking the pool, the Genesis Luncheon featured speaker Michael Bolton snuck in through the kitchen. When introduced by Jan to the crowd, he surprised many. Despite being known for his record-breaking singing and songwriting talents, he was soft spoken but strong in his own efforts to fight violence against women through his own Michael Bolton Charities foundation.