On Friday, May 3, 2019, Pat and Emmitt Smith celebrated their 10th Annual Celebrity Invitational at the Omni Hotel in Frisco, TX. The gala presented by title sponsor, Healthcare Highways commemorated a brilliant decade of community service and philanthropy by the Pat & Emmitt Charities in North Texas. Created from the couple’s enduring commitment to mentoring underserved students with an opportunity to nurture their growth into becoming tomorrow’s visionaries, the charity has impacted the lives of thousands of children by providing grants, scholarships and other resources to reach their fullest potential. Now in its 10th year, the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational has raised more than $9.2 million dollars.
Legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback and real estate icon, Roger Staubach, and his wife, Marianne, served as Honorary Chairs with Mahisha and John Dellinger serving as the 2019 Event Chairs for the star-studded soiree hosted by Good Morning America’s, Robin Roberts.
The celebration began with a red-carpet arrival and cocktail hour, followed by dinner, live auction and after-party kicked off by Dallas’ iconic band, Emerald City. The evening’s special guests included sports icons and entertainment luminaries such as Eric Dickerson, Eddie George, the new Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris, Torii Hunter, Christopher “Kid” Reid of Kid ‘N Play, John Rocker, Melissa Rycroft Strickland, Bruce Smith, Joe Torry, and Everson Walls. Local notables in attendance included Tina and David Craig, Dawn and Jon Mellon, Dee Lincoln and husband, Mike Ruley, Cheryl “Action” Jackson, Donna Richardson, Claudia, and Tony Habeeb, and Joyce and Jerry Morrison.
Thanks to the many sponsors including, Dee Lincoln Prime, Brown-Foreman Herradura, E Smith Advisors, and Waste Management, the evening was a huge success raising $1.1 million dollars that will benefit Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.
Each year, one of the many highlights of the gala is the designation of awards given to community leaders using their platforms to support others. The Roger Staubach Award recognizes sports and or entertainment professionals who positively impact the lives of children by creating opportunities for today’s youth. It was a special moment when Roger Staubach personally presented this year’s honor to Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki in acknowledgment of the amazing work they have done through The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation.
Mahisha and John Dellinger, 2019 Event Chairs
The Changemaker Award was given to LaTorsha and LaDainian Tomlinson for their efforts to enhance the lives of deserving families through education, social and culture awareness, and positive self-esteem through their organization, Team America.
Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities also recognized long term donors and friends who have stood by them since the beginning: Dee Lincoln, David, and Tina Craig and Lamonte Thomas for their unwavering support over the past ten years with the All-Star Partner Award.
The amazing evening did not end there, on May 4th, the following day at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, TX, players were paired with sports and entertainment celebrities for a chance to compete for bragging rights and prizes followed by an afternoon award ceremony.
After 10 years of service and philanthropy, Pat and Emmitt Smith charities have created a legacy of giving that will long be remembered in the hearts of their community and friends.
For more information, visit www.emmittsmithcelebrityinvitational.com
Photo Credit: Ada Lee Photography, Marcy Meeks and Axxess
