The Beauty of Philanthropy

Dallas star Linda Gray charms at A.W.A.R.E. luncheon honoring Larry Hagman

The Alzheimer's Association insisted the show must go on after the passing of Larry Hagman, who was supposed to be the keynote speaker at the 2013 luncheon benefiting the Alzheimer’s Women’s Association for Resources and Education (A.W.A.R.E.). And who better to ask than his dear friend and TV wife, the lovely Linda Gray? She accepted without hesitation.

More than 500 supporters — including Debra Nelson, Janet and Jack Broyles, Sandra Cude, Sally Hoglund, Cassie Crosby, Sandy Watson, April Bosworth, and Anne DeFilippo — descended on the Hilton Anatole to see the incomparable Ms. Gray. Also showing his support that day was Lee Majors, who plays Gray's love interest, Ken Richards, on TNT's Dallas.

In the turquoise-splashed ballroom, affable emcee Ron Corning greeted guests and joked about being so busy with pre-parties that "literally you can have Alzheimer's and never forget [about events]." On a more serious note, he spoke of the importance of raising awareness about the devastating disease before A.W.A.R.E. president Kay Hammond and luncheon chair Laurie Kidder took the stage.

Hammond shared her frustration about the government's low spending on Alzheimer's research, while Kidder talked about the Alzheimer's Association providing hope to her family. "The color turquoise represents clarity of thought, calmness and clear communication," she said.

Then association president and CEO Becky Prince reiterated the importance of awareness and said that A.W.A.R.E., and the contributions of those in attendance, make an impact in the fight against Alzheimer's.

Before attendees dove into lunch, award-winning artist Rudy Gatlin and Sam Harris sang a joyful invocation. Then Corning introduced Gray, who, instead of speaking on Hagman's behalf, honored him with heartfelt words.

She clicked through a slideshow of photos revealing her friendship with Hagman, both on and off-set. "It was as if we were married in another lifetime," she said, explaining that Hagman was serious about having two women in his life — his wife, Maj, and Gray.

Audience members watched clips from the original Dallas and listened to Gray share stories about her children growing up alongside Hagman's. Then she spoke about Maj, Hagman's wife of 52 years, who suffers from Alzheimer's.

Gray said that no one every thought that Maj would get Alzheimer's, because she was the rock. "Maj was the one who chose Dallas," Gray said. "[Hagman] was given two scripts [to choose from] — she said, 'This is it.'" Eyes welled up as Gray showed pictures of Hagman and his wife, with their kids and from their travels.

Gray also spoke about her own mother, who was diagnosed with the disease. She shared a couple of stories that made the crowd laugh, including the time her mother asked the doctor, "Do I want to get laid?" after misunderstanding what he said.

"I dwell on her positive stories," Gray said.

She finished with one of her own quotes, from Hagman's funeral. "Like Steve Jobs said, we're put here to put a dent in the universe. He made a giant dent in everybody's heart."

She challenged attendees to make a impact on this world and said she hoped to one day celebrate at this luncheon "realizing that the dent started with us."

Debra Nelson, Janet Broyles, Jack Broyles

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Debra Nelson, Janet Broyles, Jack Broyles

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Coffee news

Starbucks partners bestow $53K in grants to favorite Dallas nonprofits

Courtesy

Chalkboard at Starbucks celebrates Resource Center.

In a one-of-a-kind charitable program, coffee giant Starbucks has bestowed more than two dozen grants to organizations across Dallas — organizations selected by Starbucks employees themselves.

Called The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, it's unique as a charitable effort thanks to its profound level of engagement, by allowing employees to nominate nonprofit recipients.

The Starbucks Foundation is the company's charitable arm which issues grants to nonprofits — from coffee and tea-growing communities around the world to neighborhood groups.

The Neighborhood Grants program gives their "partners" (what they call their employees) the opportunity to support the local organizations they care most about. This year, more than 3,200 grants are being awarded across the U.S. and Canada. Of that number, 27 organizations in Dallas received a Neighborhood Grant, totaling $53,000.

That included a $4,000 grant to Resource Center, a Dallas provider of LGBTQIA+ services and a big Starbucks staff favorite: It was nominated by an unprecedented 40 partners, and has previously earned seven grants totaling $20,000 from The Starbucks Foundation since 2019.

Resource Center's director of corporate engagement & events Bill Scott says that the grant is part of a larger meaningful partnership.

"In the current climate, we've seen many corporations turn away from our community, but Starbucks has remained steadfast," Scott says. "And we see it in ways that go beyond the grants, whether it's volunteering at our food bank or being ready for any fundraising event where they'll set up a coffee station to distribute to our guests."

Founded in 1983, Resource Center focuses on three pillars: positive social engagement in safe spaces, supportive services to promote wellness, and skill-building opportunities to promote growth.

Resource Center accepts grant from Starbucks Foundation, from left to right: Bill Scott (RC), Daniel Sanchez (RC), Tres Brown (RC), and Howard Jackson (SBUX).Jeffrey McWhorter

"The grant will help us continue to serve and uplift our community with more programming in areas like health and wellness," Scott says. "Last year, we opened our first low-income affordable housing complex for seniors, and before it even opened, it was sold out. We can see that the services we provide fill a real need."

It's a rare scenario in the corporate world, Scott says.

"There are not many companies I have dealt with like the Starbucks Foundation where they rely on their partners to make recommendations and listen to their partners," he says.

For Starbucks partners like Marsh King, an operations consultation manager who's been with the company for nearly 28 years, Starbucks' priority on being mission-driven has been a big incentive to stay with the company.

"When you see a grant that might give Resource Center the funds to do something like buy more refrigeration for the food pantry they just opened — it's gratifying to see that direct impact and know that you're a part of it," she says.

The level of engagement is very grass-roots, says senior partner employee relations associate Howard Jackson.

"We have customers who come in and say, 'I saw you at that event last weekend," he says. "We support the community, and they are our customers, as well. Through this work, we connect a lot of dots."

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