Shelby's Social Diary
National Philanthropy Day packs in a huge crowd, draws powerful differencemakers
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Several of H-Town's top philanthropists and community leaders took bows at the 27th annual National Philanthropy Day Awards luncheon that saw the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom fill to the brim with more than 1,000 individuals, who had come to honor their friends and spotlighted organizations.
The event is sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Houston chapter.
Two philanthropic leaders in their own right — Jim Crownover and Jeff Hildebrand — served as honorary chair and honorary corporate chair, respectively. They joined luncheon chairs Amelia Ribnick Kleiman and Judy Howell in the limelight along with mistress of ceremonies Sharron Melton.
Among the awards presented were the Maurice Hirsch Award for Philanthropy given to Maureen Hackett and the Hackett Family Foundation and the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award honoring Emily Crosswell for her extensive support of Houston non-profits through the years. Patrick Mulvey, vice president of development at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, was recognized with the Bryon Welch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Fundraising. The M. Anne Murphy Award for Outstanding Professional Advancement was awarded to Michael Delzotti, director of philanthropic resources.
Honors went to Chevron as Outstanding Large Corporation, to Legacy Ford as Outstanding Small Corporation and to a handful of non-profits for fundraising programs and organizational impact.
Among those applauding the wealth of good works highlighted at the luncheon were Corby Robertson, Glenn Baird, Regina Rogers, Wallace Wilson, Bobbie Nau, Gary Tinterow, John Beddow, Anne Duncan, Dr. Mark Kline, Joella and Steve Mach, Carmen and Butch Mach and Sue and Lester Smith.
