 |
The Friends of the Stehlin Foundation
History
The Friends of the Stehlin Foundation has produced the annual
fundraising gala for the Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research
since 1981. A high-energy and tireless group, over the years
they have netted over $10 million to support the research
and clinical projects of the CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation.
True Friends - An Idea Becomes an
Institution
In 1980, Mike Meagher was indeed a “friend of the
Stehlin Foundation,” but simply as an individual --
there wasn’t an organization to back him up. Mike
had been a frequent tennis partner and friend of Dr. John
Stehlin since 1972, the early days of the Stehlin Foundation.
One day, Mike showed up to play tennis after a surprisingly
fun charity event and said, “John, we should do something
like that for your group.” Several years later, Mike
did. The first Friends of the Stehlin Foundation gala was
held at the Houston Country Club in 1981. “We were
young and nervous,” said Mike, “but in the end
we handed over $96,000 to the Foundation.”
By 2004, the evening’s proceeds were $650,000, to
be used in the Foundation’s research and clinical
battle against cancer. In total, the Friends have netted
over $10 million from fundraising efforts over the past
25 years.
Putting the “Fun” Back
in Fundraising
Today, the Friends of the Stehlin Foundation is a tax exempt
charitable organization with a rotating chairman. Its sole
purpose is to raise funds to support research, treatment
and educational programs conducted by the Stehlin Foundation.
At every gala, the combination of a headliner, a dance band
and a host of great auction items guarantees guests a good
time and good company for a good cause. Shelby Hodge of
the Houston Chronicle used the Friends formula as the antidote
for dull parties: “Each year, the gala draws a sellout
crowd of 1,000-plus who come for buffet dinner and entertainment
that begins with a dance band and climaxes with a knock-‘em-dead
Motown or rock band that plays until 2 a.m.”
While Mike Meagher is pleased about the fun-loving reputation
the Friends continue to enjoy, he remains very serious about
the cause: “The Foundation does so much for
so little. When you compare its budget to those at other
institutions, the landmark achievements become even more
impressive.”
Mike also senses the challenges ahead: “There’s
excitement about the new drugs and projects on the horizon,
but it takes a lot of money to make these possibilities
come true. That’s why we’re here – to
raise money. We just always have a good time doing it.”
|