The Catalyst Issue 11 | Summer 2011 | Page 21

Back row (left to right): Mary Melton, Linda Chupik, Polly Parnell, Karen Lairmore, Sandra Mewhinney, Carol Scanio, and Julie Michaux. Front row (left to right): Sharon Wilson, Joanna Moore, Monie Roming, and Betty Thrasher. Several successful events Mrs. Lairmore and a team of more than 75 women from communities within the Scott & White Healthcare service area in Central Texas have raised awareness of the new Children’s Hospital at Scott & White. At seven events and counting, they’ve also raised $300,000 through ticket sales and beautifully wrapped gift boxes for purchase of child-sized equipment and other items to help support the new facility’s development. It’s the knit of neighbors and the connection among communities in Central Texas that have driven the dedication and success of this amazing group. They’ve banded together to plan and host events that have included the Children’s Hospital at Scott & White kickoff event, Many Stars One Vision, at the home of Sharon Powell, PhD, and her husband, Rick. Other events have included the Stars of Salado at the Chapel at Caliber Oak, the holiday-themed Christmas Under the Stars in Killeen, and the Stars Are Out Tonight at Cheeves Bros. Steak House to honor retired war veterans. Other successful events were the spectacular One Enchanted Evening at James and Kim Fikes’ home, and the Glass Slipper Social, a children’s theater event held at Vive Les Arts in Killeen. Betty Thrasher and Karen Lairmore “How wonderful it is for families with sick children to be close to home and avoid the expenses of traveling to a larger city to care for their child.” —Betty Thrasher The Seasons of Elegance Fashion Show and Luncheon, under the sartorial eye of Betty Thrasher, was also held this past spring. It attracted hundreds of women in the area, who channeled a passion for fashion into a worthy cause that benefits children. Mrs. Thrasher was instrumental in launching the Visionaries, and she has always felt a close connection to Scott & White. “How wonderful it is for families with sick children to be close to home and avoid the expenses of traveling to a larger city to care for their child. It’s very exciting to have the new Children’s Hospital at Scott & White in Temple. It’s unique because most freestanding children’s hospitals are