Lolo Jones speaks on homelessness
The Salvation Army recognized two outstanding women at its annual fall luncheon recently. Keynote speaker and three-time Olympian Lolo Jones and honoree Jeanie Kilroy Wilson were commended by contributors and supporters at the Hilton Americas-Houston.
Ann and John Bookout, who chaired the luncheon that raised $545,000, introduced Wilson by saying, “She may breed thoroughbreds, but Jeanie is a workhorse.”
Jones, who competed in Olympics and Olympic trials in 2004, 2008 and 2012, talked about how the Christian organization has long been part of her life.
“The question I’m always asked is, ‘How do you get the courage to try again?’ I always answer, ‘With the help of the Salvation Army.’” Jones and her family lived at the Salvation Army Citadel Corps and Community Center in Des Moines, Iowa, during a time of homelessness. “When we lost our house, I saw my mother pack up her five kids, give us each a blanket and drive around with no destination. They let us sleep in the basement until she got her feet on the ground.”
The Salvation Army supplied her family with cans of food, Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas presents during the holidays. “Simply because people are shopping and hear the little bell, they stop and donate,” she said. “That changes people lives. It changed my life.”
In the crowd: Lynn Wyatt, Pat Breen, Diane Lokey Farb, Linda McReynolds, Soraya McClelland, Regina Rogers, Ellie Francisco, Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Rose Cullen, Cornelia Long and Cathy and Joe Cleary.