As one guest laughed, this venue certainly wasn’t like the typical Callier Cares Luncheon patron parties of the past. No, it wasn’t. On the most northern part of McKinney Avenue, the newly baptized Shelby Family Collection was a true draw for Callier supporters and car aficionados on the evening of Tuesday, March 28.
Looking over the 13 vintage and 21st century models, a life-sized photo of the late Carroll Shelby beamed as guests entered the showroom. The “privately curated collection of Shelby automobiles” owned by the Shelby family that had had its official debut the Saturday before was already living up to the early reviews. According to one vet of the Saturday night event, it was hard to empty the place.
As guests like Callier Cares Luncheon Chair Kim Hext, Honorary Co-Chairs Rosemarie and Maynard Ewton Jr., The Moody Foundation’s Jamie Williams, Foundation for Callier Center Board Chair Beth Thoele, University of Texas at Dallas President Dr. Richard Benson, Angie and Kevin Kadesky, Richard Neely and Clark Kennington ooh-ed and awe-ed at the vehicles, Carroll’s grandson Aaron Shelby recalled his childhood when his grand-dad just made a hit with his grand-kids with ice cream treats. The oldest grandchild and his siblings didn’t realize that their grandfather was the stuff of legends.
But to honor Carroll’s successes and history-making cars, it was decided to create the museum just below their offices on McKinney. The family project not only created a remarkable assembly of Shelby models, it also energized the family.
When asked about merchandising the Shelby line, Aaron laughed and said that was an idea in development. But there were new displays and exhibits to arrive in the future.
In the meantime, the night was for the Callier Center for Communication Disorders fundraiser on Monday, April 17, at the Dallas Country Club.
Before welcoming guests, Luncheon Chair Kim confided that she had indeed shed more than 20 lbs. The reason? She looked at her photo from the 2022 Crystal Charity Ball and decided change was needed and it wasn’t going to be a size 12 wardrobe. Husband Greg Hext looked a bit relieved at the idea of not having to bankroll a new wardrobe.
Both Kim and Greg opted for the Carnivore Diet and discovered that it had become an extended family project. Due to the diet’s requirements of no sugary beverages, they set out on a mission to find the top bartenders around. The family gathered for a taste testing of the finds — a dozen bourbons that are sugar free. But as Kim was getting ready to admit to the salad cheating on the diet plan, she was called away to introduce the evening’s program.
But diets aside, Kim took her place telling of NICU Nurse Kristina Leos and her son Joseph Leos. Within the early days following the birth of Joseph, Kristina “felt” almost immediately that something was wrong with her newborn’s eating.” In her gut, she knew “things weren’t right.”
After two years of working with the specialists, “it was determined that Joseph had speech delay.”
Luckily he was enrolled in Callier’s Preverbal Communications Program and demonstrated a rapid improvement. He was then enrolled in Talking Toddlers, where his “vocabulary and ability to use words and phrases to express his wants and needs grew tremendously.”
Joseph is now “proceeding to Callier’s specialized speech sound production program.”
Callier Center Executive Director Dr. Angela Shoup followed Kim, thanking Callier Foundation Board Chair Beth Thoele and recognizing The Moody Foundation that will be honored with the Ruth and Ken Altshuler Callier Care Award at the Callier Cares Luncheon on April 17.
Angela then encouraged guests to support the Callier Family Care Campaign that “transforms the lives of those with communication disorders via a three-part mission: treatment, training and research.”
Thanks to organizers, 100% of the luncheon’s proceeds will benefit the Campaign.