Did You Know?
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In 2011, Good Samaritan Foundation celebrates 60 years of service to nursing students and nursing schools in Texas.
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Good Samaritan Foundation is the leading private provider of nursing scholarships in the State of Texas.
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In 60 years, Good Samaritan Foundation has awarded more than $15 million to more than 15,000 nursing students in Texas.
Pearl Ball
Vivian Smith served as Honorary Chairman of the first Pearl Ball held at Houston's elegant River Oaks Country Club. Mrs. Smith’s connection with Good Samaritan dated back to 1951, when her husband R.E. “Bob” Smith joined other prominent Houstonians as the organization's founders. The gala was named the “Pearl Ball” in reference to a string of black pearls that was one of Mrs. Smith's cherished gifts from her husband. In the memorable years since, the Pearl Ball has raised more than $4.4 million for nurse education in Texas.
Joella and Steve Mach chaired an elegant evening with a big surprise Thursday, February 10, 2011 at Houston's fabulous River Oaks Country Club.
Guests were startled when one of the Club's wait staff broke into song following the evening's first course. After setting the salads, a different waiter broke into La Donne e Mobile, the famous aria from Verdi's La Traviata. When a third waiter joined in, guests realized these were no ordinary servers. They were being entertained by the famous Three Waiters. The performance ended with the elegant crowd waving their napkins in appreciation of the performance.
Later, one guest had the good fortune to be holding the ticket with the winning number drawn by Joella Mach for a fabulous diamond and pearl necklace donated by Deutsch & Deutsch Jewelers. The necklace was valued at $18,500.
In all, 2012 Ball chairs Randa and Charles Williams and Courtney and Jason Fertitta realized they will have a "hard act to follow"! But make no mistake, next year's event promises to be another wonderful evening of fine food and great entertainment for an important cause - scholarships for Texas nursing students.
