George and Laura Bush to headline Retina Foundation benefit in March

Written by: Holly Haber, The Dallas Morning News

In a rare joint public appearance at a fundraiser, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, will headline the Visionary Luncheon benefiting the Retina Foundation of the Southwest on March 2 at the Omni Dallas Hotel.

Award-winning journalist Shelly Slater will moderate a conversation with the couple, and Scott Murray is on tap as emcee.

Therese and Chris Rourk and Lisa and Brian Tibbs are serving as co-chairs. The event is dedicated to the memory of legendary philanthropist and fundraiser Ruth Altshuler, who was to have served as honorary co-chair with Gene Jones.

The nonprofit institute is dedicated to preventing vision loss and restoring sight through advanced research and treatments, such as gene therapy.

Supporters include:

$75,000: Orix Foundation/Amy and Paul Wilson.

$50,000: Judy and Harold Kaye.

$25,000: Faye Briggs, Gene and Jerry Jones family, Kaye Family Foundation, Helen K. and Robert G. McGraw, and Bridget Russell.

$15,000: Lyda Hill.

$10,000: Val Imm Bashour, Kim and Dr. David Callanan, Dr. Linda L. Burk and Dr. John Gilmore, Greystone Foundation, Nancy and Herbert Hunt, Jackson Walker LLP, Karen and Donald Key, Lynne and Deacon Marek, Richard and Bobbi Massman, Rosewood Corp. and Ryan Foundation.

$5,000: AmeriPac Inc., Diane Boddy, Calvert Collins-Bratton and Vince Bratton, William D. Cox III, Dallas Fan Fares, DoubleTree Love Field,Frost Bank, Donna and Lou Grabowsky, J.M. Haggar Jr. Family Foundation, Mike and Penni Hansen, Hilltop Holdings, Bill and Sue Hutton, Lottye and Bobby Lyle, Northern Trust, Phyllis and Bobby Ray,Sharif & Munir Custom Homes Inc., Texas Retina Associates, Aileen & Jack Pratt Foundation, William & Phyllis Snyder Foundation,Thompson & Knight Foundation, and Jeff and Liana Yarckin.

Tickets start at $250 at retinafoundation.org. For information and sponsorships, contact Vanessa Peterson at 214-363-3911, ext. 101, or vpeterson@retinafoundation.org.

Link to original online article: https://www.dallasnews.com/business/philanthropy/2018/01/19/george-laura-bush-headline-retina-foundation-benefit-march