We doubt that a more interesting story has ever been told at a charity gala than the one shared by Philamena and Arthur Baird at the American Diabetes Association dinner. In short, it was diabetes that led to the founding of the eponymous Mrs. Baird's brand.
As gala honorees, the Bairds told of how William Baird (Arthur's grandfather) contracted diabetes in the 1900s and as his health worsened, his wife Ninnie began baking bread on her wood-burning stove to support the family. After her husband died in 1911, Ninnie continued baking adding cakes and pies to her repertoire. Her young sons delivered the goods on foot. And so Mrs. Baird's was born.
The Bairds were honored with the Generosity to Mankind Award at the "Wine & Roses Wine Auction and Gala" at the Hilton Post Oak. Dr. Brian Tulloch was recognized as physician of the year. Service Corporation was honored for its corporate support of ADA.
Carla and Mark Russell joined Mary Elizabeth Mecom Hahnfeld as chairs of the gala that was attended by a sellout crowd of 500 and raised $450,000. Martha Turner and Glenn Bauguss served as honorary chairs.
Part of the evening's fun was presentation of more than 100 young women from 13 area high schools who were honored for their year-long commitment to volunteering with ADA. The were presented by their fathers as the ballroom erupted in applause.
Joining the party were Trini Mendenhall-Sosa and Frank Sosa, Shelly and Oscar Brown, Loretta and Dr. Gerardo Bueso, Suzy and Jim Godwin, Kim and Chip Gross and Elaine and Dwight Jefferson.
Brooke Lampert, from left, Hayley Weycer, Jordan Goldberg and Isabel Graubart at the American Diabetes Association Wine & Roses gala.
