Pat Smith gets (and gives) some love from the children of St. Philip's
Yesterday I tagged along with Pat & Emmitt Smith to the St. Philip’s School & Community Center for the 15th Annual Destiny Awards Luncheon held on St. Philip’s campus, located in South Dallas. I love that they held this luncheon for over 500+ in the school gym because it gave attendees an opportunity to see their kids in action: reciting poetry, singing the school anthem and greeting guests. They were darling. You think no one cares about what's happening in South Dallas? Think again, because this was a star-studded affair. The A-listers turned out to support the amazing work that Dr. Terry Flowers is doing with these kids. I spotted Ross Perot and Ross Perot Jr., Mayor Mike Rawlings and his wife Micki, and Roger and Marianne Staubach to name just a few. Mickey and Bill Lively, with Ann and Chris Mahowald were the Event Chairs, while Diane and Daryl Johnston were Honorary Chairs of this inspiring event that raises vital funds to operate St. Philip’s numerous educational and social service programs. The highlight of the luncheon was having Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer, Emmitt Smith, and his wife, Pat, interviewed on stage by Bill Lively, who spearheaded the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee. Lively asked them to share with us the secret to their relationship - which was “God, Family, and Business - in that order.” Together, they steer the companies associated with EJ Smith Enterprises, Pat Smith Enterprises, Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, and Treasure You. The Smith’s leverage their entrepreneurial and philanthropy work to “build bridges to open doors.” I got an Oprah "a-ha!" moment when Emmitt said he had a coach who once told him (and I am paraphrasing), "A dream is only a dream until you write it down. Then it becomes a goal that can become achieved." LOVE THAT! To see more photos from this event, click here.
(left to right) Diane Johnston, Marianne Staubach, Pat Smith | Daryl Johnston, Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith
(bottom) Bill Lively, Pat Smith, Emmitt Smith
The 2015 Destiny Awardees included Dallas power couple, Suzanne and Patrick McGee, for LEADERSHIP; Vicki Meek, visual artist and manager of the South Dallas Cultural Center, for UNSUNG HERO; sponsors of the recent Dallas Faces Race conference, The Boone Family Foundation and Embrey Family Foundation, for ORGANIZATION, and Neiman Marcus, with its exceptional employee volunteer program, for CORPORATION. The Destiny Awards recognize outstanding leadership by a corporation, non-profit, organization and two individuals in building bridges between diverse communities. The work of each awardee demonstrates the importance of embracing the oneness of humankind to which the destiny of the world is linked.
"Just as sacrifices were made to make my future bright, It is my responsibility to do things that are right. I must start today to pave the way. The community and the world need my contributions. In success, I will not stray." - from the St. Philip's Creed
St. Philip’s School & Community Center is an independent School in southern Dallas serving 240 students, grades PK2 through Sixth Grade (ages 2 – 12), and a comprehensive community center, providing numerous athletic, educational and social services to 3,000 children, youth, and adults annually. To learn more, visit http://www.stphilips1600.org/
photos: Gangway Advertising