News & Photos
Dinner Celebrates 30 Years
December 06, 2011On October 26, more than 220 Tocqueville Society members attended a special evening at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts. The evening marked the celebration of 30 years of the Tocqueville Society, as well as honored Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr., who founded the society in 1981 here in Nashville. Founding members in attendance were Mr. & Mrs. Brownlee O. Currey, Jr.; Mr. & Mrs. Thomas F. Frist, Jr.; Mr. & Mrs. Joel C. Gordon; Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Hooker; Mr. & Mrs. James W. Perkins, Jr.; Mr. Bernard Werthan; Mr. & Mrs. Ridley Wills II; and Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Zimmerman. Over $100 million dollars has been raised locally through investments in United Way of Metropolitan Nashville through the Tocqueville Society, and over the past 30 years Tocqueville Society members worldwide have invested over $6 billion in partnership with the work of United Way.
To help the Alpha Chapter celebrate 30 years of the Tocqueville Society and to recognize the society’s founding here in Nashville, Brian Gallagher, President & CEO of United Way Worldwide, attended the event and presented to the chapter the prestigious Fleur-de-Lis Award. 2011 Campaign Chair Bob Dennis and Dr. Frist accepted the award on behalf of the 27 founding members.
“This is a wonderful community. Only in Nashville could something like this happen. It’s the right size and the right people coming together,” said Dr. Frist.
2011 United Way Campaign Chair Bob Dennis presented the Tocqueville Award to member Mike Shmerling for his dedication to the work of United Way over the years.
“For all our good intentions, United Way goes places and touches people we can’t. It helps in a systematic way, targeted and effective with accountability.” Shmerling said of the importance of United Way as he accepted the honor.
The evening came to a close as members and their guests were treated to entertainment from Grammy-winning songwriter and new Tocqueville Society member Brett James.
Special thanks to Elizabeth & Bob Dennis and Lynn & Ken Melkus for graciously hosting the memorable evening.
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Click on the photo below to view photos from the evening:
