Philanthropy notes
T. Boone Pickens talks money and Ebby Halliday at Spirit of Generations Awardluncheon
The Spirit of Generations Award luncheon at the Hilton Anatole had a youthful exuberance. During the daytime fete, the Senior Source — which provides aid to the older generation in Dallas through protection, eldercare, advocacy, volunteerism and employment services — honored T. Boone Pickens with skits and giggles.
Senior Source board member Anne Mostenbocker kicked off the event. "Simply put, the Senior Source is the best thing about aging in Dallas," she said, proudly.
After a satisfying three-course meal, event chairman (and one of the Crystal Charity Ball's 10 best dressed) Nancy Carter gave warm thanks to all of the people who made the luncheon possible. Later, Joel Allison, president and CEO of Baylor Health Care System, talked about the importance of caring for elders before The Ticket's George Dunham took the stage.
Dunham switched gears and introduced Dave Tanner, who led the musical skit on his keyboard. In between musical notes, Pickens' friends — Ebby Halliday, Roger Staubach, Larry Reece, Jerry Jones, John Yeaman, Alan White and Forrest Hogland — read clever rhymes that reflected the kind of man Pickens is.
Here are some of our favorites:
- "Ebby Halliday is also my role model," Staubach said. "I'm still married, but Boone is still looking for his fifth. Are you dating anyone, Ebby?"
- "Even though yours has your name on it, my Jumbotron is bigger than yours," said Jones.
- "You make so much money every day, and, as your banker, please don't give it all away," White said.
After lots of laughs, Hogland presented Pickens with the Spirit of Generations award. "Pickens is the Senior Source dream idol," Hogland said. "From launching BP capital at age 68, he's proven that you can reinvent yourself and has shown us that aging doesn't have to be an obstacle."
Pickens has given a total of $1 billion to charities, including the soon-to-open Perot Museum of Nature and Science. "But he refused to skydive with 50 people over 50 because he couldn't think of himself as a senior citizen," Hogland added.
Upon accepting the award for contributing to all generations in Dallas, Pickens said, "I'm not a retirement guy. The more money I make, the more I give. The more I give, the more money I make." He added, "I'm in a slump right now, but I'll be back."
Pickens thanked his friends and Baylor Health Care and reminded guests about Ebby Halliday: "Our relationship is pretty well known. I haven't kept it a secret."
Can you imagine that wedding?
Attendees included Senior Source executive director Molly Bogen, Rev. Clay Allard, Emilynn Wilson, Becky Powell, Barbara and Stan Rabin, Sally Hoglund, Margie and Ray Francis, Marti Carlin, Suzy and Larry Gekiere, and Patty Jo and John Turner.