The SEARCH luncheon was an unbelievable success thanks to Chairman Tim Surratt. With his support SEARCH has raised $215,740 surpassing our goal by $10,740.
Among the attendees to this sold out event were Houston’s First Lady Andrea White, Councilmember Adrian Garcia, Councilmember Anne Clutterbuck, Congressman Nick Lampso, Lorraine and Ed Wulfe, Arthur Berner, Kittsie and Charlie Thomas, Larry Heard, Bruce Smith, Steve Sellers, Denman Heard, Jackie Martin, founder Shelly Cyprus, Board Members Pete DeLongchamps, Ambassador Arthur Schechter, Dan D’Armond, Sandy Harris, John Boettiger, Sandra Rodriguez, Downey Bridgwater, Jonathan Tankersley, John Knox, and Dennis McVeigh, as well as Chairman's Circle Chair George Wilson.
The event began with introductory remarks by SEARCH Board President Pete DeLongchamps and an invocation by Chapelwood United Methodist's Reverend Noel Denison.
During lunch, entrepreneur and visionary Lucinda Yates spoke about "Changing the World One Pin at a Time." Knowing there was something she could do to help herself overcome poverty and homelessness, Lucinda Yates used her creativity and drive to launch a successful line of fashion jewelry. One day Lucinda designed a simple pin in the shape of a house. That was the moment Lucinda knew she could help others. The House Pin she created that day became the perfect fundraiser for a local shelter. It gave the shelter greater visibility. And financial support. It started a business dedicated to helping non-profits succeed. After telling her story, she and SEARCH CEO Sandy Reese-Kesseler unveiled the brand new SEARCH Signature House Pin.
After addressing the audience about SEARCH's future, Sandy Reese-Kesseler was joined by founder Shelly Cyprus to announce the winner of this year's Founders Award, surprised recipient and Luncheon Chair Tim Surratt. The Founders Award is given to exceptional individuals who, through personal thoughtfulness, have helped transform the life of a homeless man, woman or child. Joining them onstage to present to the award was Tim's adopted son, Tommy Surratt.
For Tim's Surratt’s two brothers, the death of their mother propelled them into a life on the streets, addicted to dugs and alcohol. Tim found himself on the opposite end of the spectrum, working for Greenwood King Properties and helping people obtain the home of their dreams. In Tim's own words, "SEARCH was the first call I made when I needed to know what I could do to help my brothers and what programs were available. SEARCH helped me understand the problems my brothers faced, how I could help and the difficult road ahead." Tim maintained nothing less than love and respect for his brothers. He has done extraordinary work for the homeless, including finding permanent adoptive homes for three at-risk children. One of those three children became Tim's and his partner’s own son, Tim’s pride and joy, Tommy. One of Tim's brothers passed on, but he will never given up hope or stop working towards an end to homelessness, both for his remaining brother and for every other homeless man, woman, and child on the streets of Houston.
The event finished with SEARCH clients and children from the House of Tiny Treasures joining Sandy Reese-Kesseler on stage to sing "Lean on Me."
We truly are
Changing Lives and
Ending Homelessness.
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