<h2><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></h2>
Contact: Shelley Stanzel
214-686-6528
shelley@stanzels.com
<h1><strong><u>Dallas Philanthropist to Receive Guardian of the Holy Land Award</u></strong></h1>
(August 6-Dallas<strong>) 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.</strong> 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, <strong>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”.</strong>
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<strong>The FFHL is dedicated to helping Christians in the Holy Land stay in their home countries</strong> 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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