After six years of chairing the National MS Society's annual luncheon, Franelle Rogers hung up her chairwoman's gavel last year only to be back in the spotlight on Wednesday when she received the luncheon's Above and Beyond Award. The big surprise was that the honor will be forever named in her honor, a tribute to her years of leadership and dedication.
The 2016 fundraiser broke all records with a sellout gathering of 500 filling the River Oaks Country Club ballroom and with record proceeds of $300,000.
Applause, applause for luncheon chairs Deborah Duncan (who doubled as emcee), Alicia Smith and Katie Brass, known for resilience in her own battle aginst MS. Aiding in the cause were honorary chairs Kay Holmes, Emily Covey and Laura Dalton.
Also honored were Person on the Move Wendy Bethora and Company on the Move Calpine Corp., represented by Zamir Rauf.
Highlight of the luncheon was the keynote address by nationally-recognized MS patient Kate Milliken, inspiration for Mycounterpane.com. She concluded her remarks asking, “My beautiful Texans to take the hand next to you and let’s all just have a moment of feeling this emotional power. Whether or not you continue to share it or not, know this is what it’s about. Healing for all of us and for MS.”
Supporters included AJ Brass, Stephanie Cockrell, Lucinda Loya, Amy Murchison, Thad Hill, Barbara and Roberto Iglesias, Rose Cullen, Diana and Joe Mattingly, Jennifer Gilliam, Ray Garcia, Penny Loyd and Lesha Elsenbrook.
Lynda Transier, Debi Duckworth, Linda Dewhurst.
