2011 Treasures of Texas Gala – A Salute to Military

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 – River Oaks Country Club
6:30 pm – Reception
7:00 pm – Dinner
Business Attire

IMA HOGG AWARD HONOREES
Dr. and Mrs. Robert (Marianne) Ivany Mental Health America of Greater Houston is pleased to announce the recipients of MHA Houston’s prestigious Ima Hogg Award, Dr. Robert Ivany, Major General, U.S. Army, (Ret.) and Marianne Ivany. Dr. Ivany is President of the University of St. Thomas and the former Board Chairman of MHA. He also held a prestigious 34-year career in the U.S. Army, serving in a number of unique positions including Commandant of the U.S. Army War College, Army Aide to the President of the United States, and Commanding General of the Military District of Washington. Bob has provided invaluable leadership in the effort to improve access to services for veterans and their families and in raising the visibility of this urgent community need.

Marianne is active in the Military Child Education Coalition, a world-wide non profit organization focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition. Marianne served on the MCEC’s Board of Directors from 2002-2008. Bob and Marianne’s four children have all served in the Army. Together the Ivany family represents decades of service to our nation and our community.

PORTRAITS OF IRAQ WAR HEROES
The Treasures of Texas Gala will also feature returning veterans and/or their family members. Mental Health America of Greater Houston is proud to include the story of Lance Corporal Jeremy Williams, USMC (ret.) Jeremy Williams served six and a half years in the U. S. Marine Corps. He was wounded by an improvised explosive device in the city of Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 and was retired as a result of his wounds. Since returning to Houston, Jeremy has been actively involved in advocating for the rights and services of wounded warriors now returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008 Jeremy was a team member in the Wounded Warrior Project’s “Operation Outreach.” He has been recognized by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans as a National Military Scholar and was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Marine Corps League for Veterans Service.

Jeremy currently serves as MHA Houston’s Veterans Behavioral Health Program Coordinator. This program works in collaboration with the City of Houston and Harris County to help connect veterans and their families to mental health treatment and other support services that they need. Our efforts include expanding peer-to-peer mentoring and outreach services for veterans and their families, training law enforcement personnel on responding to veterans in crisis, providing veteran-specific trauma training for non-military healthcare providers, and a multi-faceted public awareness campaign to direct veterans and families to available services.

The 2011 gala chairs are MHA Houston board members Julie B. Crosswell and Emily Burguières Dalicandro; honorary chairs are Maureen and Jim Hackett; and Miki Hebl and David Harvey.

For tickets and sponsorships or to sponsor a veteran, contact: Nathan Cernosek at gala@mhahouston.org or 713-523-8963.