It’s fair to say that Dallas philanthropists know how to attract big-deal headliners and keynote speakers to help raise money for the city’s most beloved nonprofits. But New Friends New Life (NFNL) has secured one of the most exciting yet: Kevin Costner.
The actor, star of current release McFarland, USA, is the upcoming keynote for the 12th annual Wings Luncheon, set for April 10 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Chair Jeanne Johnson Phillips and honorary co-chairs Ruth Altshuler and former first lady Laura Bush certainly know how to deliver.
To celebrate, Carolyn and David Miller welcomed NFNL supporters into their home for a luncheon launch party. While there, attendees — including Pat and Charles McEvoy, Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Caren and Peter Kline, and Gail and Gerald Turner — also learned about the three 2015 ProtectHer Award recipients, who have shown visionary guidance and leadership in protecting the rights of women and girls: Letot Girls’ Center, Texas Department of Public Safety and Sabre.
“Girls who have been exploited have experienced far too much ugliness, chaos and degradation in their young lives,” said Caren Prothro, president emeritus of the Letot Center Capital Foundation, who will accept the award. “While we cannot return their childhoods to them, we can give them a safe and caring place to rebuild their lives.”
Founded in 1998, New Friends New Life restores and empowers formerly trafficked girls and sexually exploited women and their children. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health and spiritual support, NFNL helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty and limited opportunities.
Katie Pedigo, Nancy Ann Hunt, Caren Prothro, Captain Jeoff Williams, Jennifer Barkley, Jeanne Johnson Phillips
