Authors Ron Hall and Landon Hayek signed copies of their books for guests at the NAM Endowment Fund Dinner.
HOUSTON— Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) raised more than $225,000 during the 2018 NAM Endowment Fund Dinner —an annual event held to raise funds to enhance the financial stability of NAM and to offer security for the future.
The event took place at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. NAM welcomed back Ron Hall, author of Same Kind of Different as Me—a New York Times Bestseller, now made into an Award-nominated motion picture by Paramount Pictures, featuring Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actors Renée Zellweger and Jon Voight.
Hall shared his inspirational story with the 200 guests in attendance and answered questions in an intimate conversation moderated by FOX 26 news anchor Melissa Wilson, who also served as this year’s emcee.
Hall spoke of how his life had centered around his successful career as an international art dealer and his passion for his Rocky Top ranch on the Brazos River. Then one day in 1998 he met a homeless man, Denver Moore, who was threatening to kill everyone in the Fort Worth, Texas homeless shelter where he and his wife, Deborah, were volunteering. He and his wife developed an unlikely friendship with Moore that altered their lives for the better. After the death of his wife in November 2000, Moore moved in with Hall and lived with him for the next ten years. The life-changing experience of this encounter featured on many television and radio shows inspired Hall to write Same Kind of Different as Me, a story of hope and redemption.
Also in attendance were special guests, 10-year-old Landon Hayek and his mother Jenn, creators of the children’s book They Called Him Harvey: A Hurricane Harvey Story. Landon, who is donating a portion of his book sales to help families that were affected by Hurricane Harvey, met with guests and happily signed copies of his book.
Special thanks to this year’s major supporters: Renée and Danny Rea, Margie and Rick Crump, Cindy and Scott Chenoweth, Linda and Joe Fowler, Darlis and Tom Fuller, Houston Methodist Hospital, Carol and Mike Watford, Lynne and Dave Anderson, PurePoint Financial, and Jackie and Pat Riley. Also, thank you to The Harrell Family Foundation for sponsoring the dinner and to Denise and Buddy Bolt for their sponsorship of the keynote speaker.
Book sponsor Barnes & Noble Champions Village, who were at the event selling the book and DVD Same Kind of Different as Me, donated 20% of the evening’s proceeds to the NAM Endowment Fund.
Northwest Assistance Ministries is a non-profit, community-based social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NAM provides assistance in areas such as food, shelter, health, education and domestic violence awareness and intervention. During its last fiscal year, NAM touched the lives of more than 129,000 people through its many programs and services.