Restaurateur and special needs advocate Tom Landis will receive the inaugural Ryan Albers Lifetime Achievement Award at the “Emerald City Connects” fundraising event, hosted by Connecting Point of Park Cities (CPPC) on April 13, 2016 at the Belo Mansion.
The Ryan Albers Lifetime Achievement Award was created to honor an individual who is a champion for the special needs community by impacting, influencing and advancing awareness of individuals with disabilities. Connecting Point of Park Cities is thrilled to award Tom Landis for his achievements and commitment to enhancing the lives of those with special needs.
Born and raised in Washington, DC, by a mother who beat polio and made a career teaching high school dropouts, Landis has always been a fan of the underdog. After graduating from the University of Texas and pursuing a successful marketing career, Landis opened his first restaurant in 1996. Each one of his concepts has provided an avenue for the marginalized to succeed, whether teaching English classes during slow hours or creating jobs for those with mental disabilities at his Texadelphia locations. In 2004, Landis was the recipient of the Center for Nonprofit Management's Social Entrepreneur of the Year. After opening 13 restaurants in 19 years, Landis turned his efforts to open Howdy Homemade, the first for-profit restaurant designed to employ people with special needs. Howdy Homemade is a tribute to Coach Gene Stallings and every parent of a child with special needs. All of Tom's business can be summed up in five words that he learned from a high school coach: God. Family. Other employees. Customers. Self.
“We could not be more excited to present this first annual Ryan Albers award to Tom. He is truly a champion of the special needs community and fully embodies the spirit this award was created to celebrate,” said Jan Osborn, Emerald City Connects Co-chair.
“Emerald City Connects” will take place at the Belo Mansion from 6-10 p.m. and feature entertainment by the Emerald City band, as well as a silent auction. Funds from the evening will assist Connecting Point of Park Cities in continuing to build and expand its all-inclusive day program for adults with disabilities. Football Hall of Fame Reciepient and special needs advocate Gene Stallings to speak at 8pm.
Individual tickets for the event are $175 each and sponsorship opportunities begin at $750. More detail on ticket pricing can be found at http://mycppc.org/emerald-city-connects/. For additional tickets or sponsor information, please contact Connecting Point of Park Cities at 972.773.9937 or email info@mycppc.org. Space is limited and reservations are required.