The 2018 Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational kicked off on Tuesday, January 23 at the offices of Winstead PC in Downtown Dallas, hosted by Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities (PESC) board member, Mr. Robert McCormick. Emmitt Smith announced this year’s Event Chairs, Janiece Evans-Page, VP President, Global Philanthropy and Sustainability at Fossil Group and Mark Page, President of Operations for AT&T's Chief Data Office. Emmitt then thanked all event sponsors for graciously offering their time and resources to make the 2018 Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational a success. 

The Invitational weekend will once again be presented by Healthcare Highways. The May 4th Friday Night Party is sponsored by Alberstons Tom Thumb and will kick the weekend off at a new location at the Omni Frisco. The evening will begin with a celebrity reception sponsored by Brown–Forman, followed by dinner, a live auction and presentation of the Roger Staubach Award. The Invitational continues on Saturday, May 5th, with an 18-hole charity golf tournament at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney. Guests had the opportunity to hear firsthand from Jhalen Spicer, who shared the life changing experiences he has been afforded through Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities flagship mentoring and leadership development program, TEAM 22. Dallas ISD Deputy Superintendent, Israel Cordero, followed Jhalen to talk about the exponential growth of the annual Back to School program partnership between DISD and Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, the families it serves, and how this event provides much needed services for poor families in a great time of need, helping families that might have to choose between went paying the rent or purchasing new school supplies for their children. He also thanked the charity for donating more than $20k in cash and services to displaced families affected by Hurricane Harvey last year. Lastly, 2017’s Event Chairs Carmeleta and Otis Felton were presented with a plaque of gratitude for their dedication and leadership in 2017. 

Now in its 9th year, the event will again raise funds to support Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, a 501(c)(3) public charity that creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children, including an annual Back to School program with Dallas ISD, a grants and scholarships program and Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities flagship leadership development program, TEAM 22. Pat and Emmitt personally mentor this group of high potential, high performing students from the Dallas area through their flagship, hands-on mentoring program. They have worked with two cohorts of ten students for the past seven years, providing them with mentors, cultural and educational opportunities and unique excursions with Pat and Emmitt, volunteerism and scholarships. Tickets for the Friday Night Party begin at $750 and pavilion passes for the Saturday Golf Tournament are $50 each. For ticket and sponsorship details contact Dana Vilardi at dvilardi@ejsmithenterprises.com