Daytime Philanthropy
Grammy Award winner Amy Grant serenades a giving crowd at annual Doing the MostGood Luncheon
When the name of the event is Doing the Most Good Luncheon, you can bet on a big attendance and even bigger fundraising. Who wouldn't want to participate in an uplifting daytime fete in which philanthropy is the driving force?
The Faithful Missionary Baptist Church opened the luncheon at the Hilton Anatole with powerful gospel songs. Then Captain Michele and Major Ward Matthews thanked more than 1,300 people in attendance — including luncheon chair Mark Schortman, Debbi and Jim Francise, Shelle and Dr. Michael Sills, Gina and Ken Betts, Elaine Agather, Holly Reed, Gillian Breidenbach, Peggy Sewell, Lana Andrews, Annette, Simmons, Gene Jones, Margot Perot, and Ruth Altshuler — for supporting the Salvation Army centers.
Later, J.D. McCaslin, chair of the Salvation Army DFW advisory board, shared his experience serving on Christmas Eve at one of the centers before introducing Cassie Andrade,a single mother who recovered from drug abuse during her time at the Salvation Army drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.
After heartfelt words and few dry eyes in the room, six-time Grammy Award winner Amy Grant lightened the mood with storytelling and tunes. She opened up about her faith and family and sang songs such as "Thy Word" and a piece from the Bible, "Hebrews 11."
"Our journey is made more exciting by faith," said Grant. "The Salvation Army has a pretty broad journey because it's preceded by faith."
The annual Doing the Most Good Luncheon is the largest fundraiser for the Salvation Army — and this year the nonprofit raised $2.5 million for the 70 services and programs that better the lives of families and individuals via homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, computer training, substance abuse treatment, disaster relief, senior services programs, summer day camps, life-skills classes and more.