Country star Sammy Kershaw crooned to nearly 1,000 guests who attended this year’s TexasFest on April 28 at the Irving Convention Center. For the first time in the Irving Healthcare Foundation gala’s 33 year history, the event sold out solely with sponsorship donations and raised a total of $340,000.

 

At the annual western-themed gala, guests comprising area business representatives and community friends enjoyed a Texan and Cajun inspired buffet, silent and live auctions, and various activities throughout the evening. The highlight of this year’s event was a 90-minute private concert performed by Kershaw.

 

TexasFest 2012’s fundraising goal was $310,000, which was exceeded by $30,000. Before the auction even began, $253,000 was committed by donors making it the largest amount on record given by sponsors. Event-night giving opportunities and auctions then added another $87,000 to this year’s total.

Irving Healthcare Foundation Chairman of the Board Tom Trotter noted, “You have to tip your cowboy hat to Sponsorship Chairwoman Clem Lear and to TexasFest Chair Diana Pfaff for making TexasFest history in 2012. I also have to thank my colleague Tawnia Wise for her staff leadership of our volunteers this year.”

 

“We were so excited that we sold out the event so early this year,” remarked Diana Pfaff. “It’s because of our sponsors’ generosity. They are the key reason we reached and then surpassed our fundraising goals,” Pfaff said.