Wildcatters set Lone Star fundraising record
Sue and Lester Smith have truly outdone themselves.That’s no easy feat for the Smiths.
The philanthropic and ballroom-dancing couple combined their two great loves — dedicating their private wealth toward local good and any excuse to boogie — to raise a record $83 million for Texas Children’s Hospital.
The jaw-dropping figure may just mark Saturday’s “Legacy of Motown” as the highest-grossing fundraising gala in Texas history. The night doubles as a personal achievement for the Smiths, whose “Disco Legends” shindig raised $32.3 million for Texas Children’s Cancer Center in 2012, the city’s largest single event fundraiser at the time.
Before a single guest shimmied into Revention Music Center, the Sue and Lester Smith Foundation pledged $50 million toward their eponymous Legacy Tower, the hospital’s new headquarters for cardiac intensive care and surgery, in addition to Texas Children’s Cancer Center patient care and research.
“Lester said that he wanted to throw one last fabulous event and make it benefit children,” said Trish Morille, the foundation’s executive director. “After his own health battles, he wanted a central place to serve Houston’s most critically ill children.” (Lester Smith has battled cancer.)
After some 650 disco-clothed partygoers feasted on Culinaire’s Southern fried chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, collard greens and brisket, it was announced that Russell Gordy, Lester’s longtime oil- and-gas partner, made a surprise $15 million donation in the Smiths’ name.
He wasn’t even present to hear the ballroom’s thunderous applause. “I’m going hunting,” Gordy declared via video. “But I wish you all the best.”
Coupled with the $18 million raised by Lester’s children and co-chairs, Brian and Shelly Hendry and Limor and Stuart Smith, the family surpassed its own fundraising expectations.
“There were a lot of tears shed when Carol and Mike
Linn, who are the Promise Campaign chairs, presented that final number,” Morille said.
That’s also when the real party began. Dancin’ in the Streets’ Motown & More Revue included a Whitney Houston impersonator and Jackson 5 performance.
There’s only way to describe the surprise-filled coup. “Epic,” Morille said.