Thank you to our underwriters, volunteers and guests for making the 2018 Heritage Award Dinner a wonderful success. Together, we raised $3.3 million for children from families in crisis! Your gifts are an investment in their future, helping them to make a mark on the world.
The Heritage Award Dinner was held at the Hilton Americas Hotel and attracted more than 1,000 guests, including Houston’s influential philanthropists, business owners and newly re-elected Senator Ted Cruz . The event featured stories of the impact that BGC makes on children’s lives, a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions and entertainment by Jay Leno.
This year’s event honored Kim and Robert Marlings’ achievements, both professionally and in their personal lives, which have made a long-term impact on the lives of so many in the Greater Houston community, across the country and for the kids of Boys and Girls Country. Robert Marling is the Chairman and CEO of Woodforest Financial Group, Inc., a community bank with a corporate culture of community service and giving back. In 2005, the Woodforest Charitable Foundation was created with an initial gift of $1,000,000 from Woodforest National Bank. Kim Marling became the first Executive Director of the foundation and continues to oversee its growth and donations today as its Executive Vice President. Both Woodforest National Bank and Woodforest Charitable Foundation have been steadfastly committed to providing funding for Boys and Girls Country.
The honorees presented a generous gift of $1 million to BGC which was met with a standing ovation. This donation will be used to ensure that Houston’s at-risk children who are living with families in crisis have a safe and loving home in which to grow and thrive.
“The children and young adults who call BGC home have faced challenges that our children will never experience. This organization helps each child to overcome obstacles and find love in those who surround them and become their family,” shared Mrs. Marling during their award acceptance speech.
“We are so blessed to have such a big family of supporters who join us every year to commemorate the outstanding impact they make on the future of Houston’s children. None of this would be possible without our underwriters, volunteers and guests who choose to invest their time and resources into growing children for life,” shared Vince Duran, executive director of Boys and Girls Country.
We are very thankful to our major underwriters of the event: the Gatewood Family Foundation, American First National Bank, Hugesen Polymers USA, L.P., Genis Holdings, LLC, Herr Family, Stephens Family, Amegy Bank, Sim-Tex, L.P., Paul and Staci Sorensen, Southwestern Energy, Carrin and Bill Way and Woodforest Charitable Foundation.
You can view event photos here
For more information about the event click here