RSVP Calendar: Flora Award 2013- Jan Pickens Honored {Society Pics}

Courtney Love, Jan Pickens, Jennifer Huff

Texas Discovery Gardens honored Jan Pickens with the prestigious 2013 Flora Award on November 7. More than 150 prominent guests graced the elegantly decorated Grand Hall on this crisp evening including Ebby Halliday Acers, Caroline Rose Hunt, Dee Wyly, Peggy Sewell, Nancy Dedman and Billie Leigh Rippey. The four course meal by Cassandra Fine Catering was a decadent introduction to the evening’s events, including remarks by Dick Davis, Executive Director of Texas Discovery Gardens, an invocation, an introduction of Jan by Barbara Hunt Crow and the presentation of the award, which was designed by deBoulle.

Caroline Rose Hunt, Robert Backbill

The Award serves to recognize outstanding citizens who have demonstrated a commitment to beautification, education and the advancement of the environment and quality of life. “In the Flora Award’s 31 years, we have enjoyed an exceptional list of honorees, and this year continues that incredible tradition,” said 2013 Flora Award co chair, Jennifer Huff. Co chair Courtney Love added: “Jan Pickens is tireless in her quest to raise money and awareness for the causes she holds dear. Her work with the Salvation Army is revered, and for Texas Discovery Gardens, it was Jan who took the Flora Award from a simple tea and turned it into the elegant event it is today. She has grace, elegance and a deep faith -- there is no one more deserving of this award than she.”

Allison and Bob Farrow

Pickens has been instrumental in Texas Discovery Gardens’ mission by serving as a volunteer, Board member and chair of the Flora Award. Her extensive work in the community includes support for countless organizations, including the Salvation Army, for which she was recognized by their National Board with the “Others” Award, the Junior League of Dallas, the Crystal Charity Ball Committee, Women’s Guild of the Dallas Society for Crippled Children, United Way, the Dallas Woman’s Club, Dallas Historical Society, M.D. Anderson, United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas for which she received the 2003 “Distinguished Service Award”, Meals on Wheels and many more. Most recently, the Dallas Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi honored her with the 2012 Founder’s Day Award for Community Service.

Flora Award 2013 designed by deBoulle

Funds raised through the Flora Award help Texas Discovery Gardens’ staff achieve their mission to teach effective ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature in an urban setting, with a focus on gardening organically and sustainably. This year the Flora Award efforts brought an immense amount of support including a Diamond Sponsor donation of $25,000 from Barbara Hunt Crow, a Platinum Sponsor donation of $15,000 from Jan and Bob Pickens, Peggy and Carl Sewell and Al Hill, Jr., a Gold Sponsor donation of $10,000 from Nancy M. Dedman and Ellen and Paul Flowers and a Silver Sponsor donation of $7500 from Ellen and John McStay. Past winners have included Ellen and John McStay, Ebby Halliday Acers, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Dee and Charles Wyly, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and last year’s recipient, Barbara Hunt Crow.