The opportunity to get up close and personal with Garth Brooks and Troy Aikman in a private River Oaks home while aiding Texas Children's Hospital was enticement enough for an intimate group of mega-donors to pony up more than $1 million for the privilege. Not bad for a little cocktail party and dinner in the home gymnasium of Mary and Tony Gracely.
The singer and the NFL star helped raise the funds through their foundation, Teammates for Kids, with the big total earmarked for aiding in renovation of the Child Life Zone at Texas Children's. The duo created the foundation in 1999, since which time they have worked with more than 3,500 athletes and raised more than $100 million for non-profits that support children. The foundation works with athletes from every popular professional sport to develop innovative fundraising concepts that will help build interactive play areas inside children's hospitals nationwide.
Adding to the sports world cachet was retired Astro Craig Biggio, accompanied by his wife Patty.
The heavy-hitter contingent enjoying one-on-one with Brooks and Aikman included Laura and John Arnold, Terri and John Havens, Vanessa and Eduardo Sanchez, Vanessa and Tony Sanchez, Linda McIngvale, Elizabeth and Peter Wareing, Courtney Sarofim, Shannon and Mark Wallace, Nancy Calles and Dr. Mark Kline and Maureen and Dr. Gary Clark.
Troy Aikman, from left, Mark and Shannon Wallace and Garth Brooks at Texas Children's event.
