FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shelley Stanzel
214-686-6528
Dallas Philanthropist to Receive Guardian of the Holy Land Award
(August 6-Dallas) Mr. Joe C. (Jodie) Thompson Jr. will be presented the Guardian of the Holy Land Award at the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land’s (FFHL) bi-ennial benefit dinner at 7:00 pm on September 8 at the Dallas Country Club in Highland Park. The prestigious award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to supporting and preserving the presence of Christians in the Holy Land.
Chaired by Susan Heller Stanzel, the keynote speaker will be Archbishop Bernardito C. Auza, Papal Nuncio, Permanent Observer to the United Nations. His presentation will be entitled “Unimaginable: a Middle East Without Christians”.
The FFHL is dedicated to helping Christians in the Holy Land stay in their home countries by helping the Christians compete financially. FFHL grants university, elementary school and music scholarships, in addition to teaching trade skills. FFHL’s social programs, such as a boys’ home and family centers, enable the Christians to live with dignity on their way to self-sufficiency.
Honored guests include the Most Reverend Edward J. Burns, Bishop of Dallas and Rev. Peter Vasko, O.F.M., President of the FFHL.
Table prices for ten seats are $5,000, $2,500 and $1,750. Individual tickets are $5,000 for VIP seats, $500, $250, and $175.
A champagne patron reception, for ticket holders $500 and above, will begin at 6:00 pm. The patron reception will include a photograph with Archbishop Auza, meeting all Honored Guests, music by The Miguel Cantu Violin Trio, champagne, wine and hors d’oeuvres. A general wine reception in the foyer and ballroom for all attendees will follow at 7:00 pm with music performed by Mary Margaret Jones, Harpist, and the Versa Strings. harpist Juliette Buchanan. For additional information and reservations, please contact Ms. Kelley Freeman at 202-445-9500.
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