14th Annual Words of Hope
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Words of Hope is Caritas of Austin’s largest annual fundraising event. Each year, the event features powerful stories that reflect our mission, and celebrates those individuals and businesses who contribute so fully to our community.
In 2020, we came together virtually on Thursday, September 17th, for our 13th Annual Words of Hope. In 2021, we are looking forward to spending the evening with you, both virtually and with a small-scale, socially distant gathering, at this coming year’s hybrid event. Please plan to join us as we share our successes, highlight our partners, honor our community members, and prove that together we can truly make Austin more vibrant for all.
2020 Excellence in the Game of Life Award
Each year, the Award for Excellence in the Game of Life is presented to a prominent leader. Last year, in light of all the changes and challenges our community has worked through, we celebrated the Austin Community as our 2020 Honoree.
Our lead sponsors have selected a member of the community—leaders, mentors, stewards of community trust, and champions of the greater good—to honor. These individuals, who strengthen and grow our community, each have a meaningful legacy in Austin, and we are proud to celebrate them!
2020 Sponsors
Lead
Tracy & Ken Snodgrass
Beth & Sel Unite
Howard & Mary Garwood Yancy
* Denotes half sponsorship
Advocates
Bank of America Private Bank – Angell/Carden
Judith & Dr. Richard Berkowitz*
Margie & John Brindley
Theresa & Erik Dithmer
Sherrie & Dr. Bob Frachtman*
Laura & Jim McBride
Lynn & Tom Meredith
Emilio & Tari Nicolas
Kammy & Troy West
* Denotes half sponsorship
Partners
Amplify Credit Union
Harriett & Kenneth Choffel
Monica & John Crowley
Enterprise Fleet Management
Envolve Communities
Susan & Gary Farmer
Emily & Bob Feiner
FORSHAW Inc.
Frost Bank
Beth & Tom Granger
Inman Foundation and Admiral & Mrs. B.R. Inman
Marsh Wortham and Rabbi Alan & Lori Freedman
Texas Gas Service
Caroline & John Trube
Pete & Tomi Winstead
* Denotes half sponsorship
Supporters
Diane Land & Mayor Steve Adler
Garver
Jenny & David Gregorcyk
Diane Humphreys
The Jackson Family
Jane & Dan Matheson
Rudye McGlothlin
Moreland Properties
Westminster
Mike & Kim Wolf
* Denotes half sponsorship
In-Kind Sponsors
* Denotes half sponsorship
Contact Emily Lewis at elewis@caritasofaustin.org or 512-646-1268 for questions.
Past Speakers and Entertainers
2019 | Robert Earl Keen – folk and Americana singer-songwriter
2018 | Emmitt Smith – former Dallas Cowboy, successful entrepreneur and philanthropist
2017 | Ron Hall – author of Same Kind of Different as Me and What Difference Do It Make
2016 | Dr. Jeff Salz and Alepho Deng – author of They Poured Fire On Us From The Sky
2015 | Bobby Bones – prominent radio personality
2014 | Marcus Luttrell – U.S. Navy SEAL and author of Lone Survivor
2013 | Luma Mufleh – inspirational coach of a soccer team called the Fugees-short for refugees. Basis for book Refugees United
2012 | Liz Murray – author of Breaking Night and whose story inspired the film From Homeless to Harvard
2011 | Rick Bragg – Pulitzer Prize winning author of All Over but the Shoutin’
2010 | Leigh Anne Tuohy – the woman whose life inspired the novel and film The Blind Side
2009 | Jeannette Walls – the author of The Glass Castle
2008 | Ron Hall and Denver Moore – authors of Same Kind of Different as Me