Former First Lady Barbara Bush accepted honors Wednesday for her "Celebration of Reading" benefit as the Outstanding Fundraising Program of the year at the National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon held at the Hilton Americas-Houston.
More than 1,100 guests applauded Bush and her popular author event that is the most successful literacy fundraiser in the country. Last spring, the benefit netted more than $1.85 million for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. It is surely the envy of every member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals — Greater Houston Chapter, which sponsored the 24th annual awards luncheon.
David Underwood was recognized as Outstanding Philanthropist for 2009 and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor were saluted as Outstanding Community Volunteers. Seven other outstanding philanthropy awards were presented to corporations, foundations and organizations.
Leading the luncheon to its success was chair Nick Espinosa, development director of the Houston Zoo, and honorary chairs Beth Sanders Moore, Ad-Hoc Legal CEO, and Scott McClelland, H-E-B Houston president.
Notables in the mix included Wendy and Jeff Hines, Jay Jones, Y. Ping Sun, Susie Glasscock, Maria and Neil Bush, Mindy Hildebrand and Maureen Hackett.