Thirteen-year-old Colton Burpo held the 500 guests at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in rapt attention as he explained his visit to heaven during emergency surgery as a 4-year-old. Likewise, Robbie Parker, father of a Sandy Hook Elementary shooting victim, mesmerized the audience as he told his story of living a life of purpose after tragedy.
The moving accounts were part of the Ambassador of Purpose Luncheon benefiting Arrow Child & Family Ministries. Parker received the Ambassador of Purpose award.
KHOU Channel 11's Deborah Duncan served as emcee while radio host and Taste of Texas owner Edd Hendee interviewed the Burpo family.
The heartfelt luncheon was chaired by a team of femmes, inspirational in their own right — Kimberly DeLape, Jackie Garner, Alicia Smith and Duncan. Joining them as honorary chair was Pily Simon and as raffle chair Pilar Carrera-Rohi. Their combined efforts raised $300,000 for Arrow programs.
Applauding the event that included a performance by Christian artist Michael English were Jan Duncan, Penny and Paul Loyd, Sherry and Jim Smith, Maria and Neil Bush, Zeina Fares, Martha Turner, Mary Elizabeth Mecom Hahnfeld, Stephanie Perkins, Mehrnaz Gill, Donatella Benckstein, Anne Carl and Bain Pearson.
Special guests at the Ambassador of Purpose Luncheon.
