The Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command 2012 Annual Doing The Most Good Luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel featuring contemporary Christian music’s first major crossover success Amy Grant as the keynote speaker. In addition to sharing her story, Grant will also sing a few songs. Of all The Salvation Army groups worldwide, this local luncheon is the #1 Salvation Army fund-raising event in the world.
The luncheon is a fundraiser to support The Salvation Army's 70+ programs and services in the DFW Metroplex, which address human needs for five key groups: (1) homeless men, women and children; (2) people recovering from addictions; (3) families in crisis; (4) children and youth; and (5) senior citizens.
The luncheon leadership includes Luncheon Chairman: Mark Schortman, Senior Vice President & Region General Manager, Coca-Cola Refreshments; Underwriting Chairman: Lynn McBee, Community Leader; Table Sales Chairman: Gina Betts, Partner, Locke Lord LLP; Event Chairman: Shelle Sills, Vice President General Manager, Neiman Marcus.
Schortman said, “We appreciate Amy Grant supporting The Salvation Army with her story, which like her music, will be heartfelt, personal, and powerful. Her presence will elevate the luncheon, and we look forward to hearing her speak, while raising much needed funds for The Salvation Army’s programs.”
Amy Grant’s career spans over 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, and philanthropist. Grant has sold more than 30 million albums and won six Grammys® in multiple categories, beginning with the platinum selling Age to Age in 1982. She also has six #1 hits, including “Baby, Baby,” and “Every Heartbeat” and is one of only two Christian artists to be awarded a star on the legendary Walk of Fame in Hollywood. One of her greatest accomplishment was to open the door for a flood of other artists in pop as well as rock to sing about faith and soul and family and still grasp stardom. Grant has done more than simply be successful in two different music worlds; in her music and thanks to her music, she has brought those two worlds together.
The November event will be the 122nd Salvation Army annual luncheon in Dallas, and it has evolved into the top fundraising luncheon in DFW with the 2011 luncheon raising $3.1 million for the community.* Past luncheon speakers have included Former First Lady Barbara Bush, Former President George W. Bush, J.C. Watts, Blake Mycoskie, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Karen Hughes, Tony Evans, Edsel Ford, Chuck Norris and Scott O’Grady.
Thanks to the generosity of the DFW community, in 2011 The Salvation Army provided assistance to nearly one out of every 50 people in the Dallas Metroplex and returned 86 cents of every dollar donated to services to our community. “Because of the tremendous support of those who support this luncheon, The Salvation Army is able to support more than 70 programs that care for the poor, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend the friendless,” said Major Ward Matthews of the Dallas Salvation Army.
In 2011, The Salvation Army provided:
- Assistance to nearly 1 in 50 people in the DFW Metroplex
- $971,727 in emergency financial assistance
- 947,520 meals to the hungry
- 337,708 nights of care for men, women and children
- 253,394 Christmas gifts given through our Angel Tree Program
- More than 70 Programs and Services through 19 centers
- 33,521 individual visits at nursing homes
Tickets are $250, and sponsor levels range from $5,000 to $250,000. For more information on purchasing tickets, visit salvationarmydfw.org, call 214-637-8254, or email dfwmc_events@uss.salvationarmy.org.
ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY:
The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian organization that in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex provides more than 70 different programs and services to help make life better for individuals and families. Services include: substance abuse treatment, homeless shelters, life-skills classes, nonperishable food, Christmas gifts for children, disaster relief, domestic violence programs, emergency financial assistance, after-school programs, summer day camps, computer training, senior citizens services, and low-cost youth sports leagues.
The Salvation Army’s religious and social service activities serve millions of men, women and children in more than 100 nations around the world. Volunteers, contributors, and other supporters make the services possible in local communities across the country. For more information, go to salvationarmydfw.org.
*Dallas Business Journal 2012 Book of Lists