Legacy Award Dinner Honoring Legacy Award Recipient
Arthur M. Blank
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta United
THE POWER OF LEGACY LIES IN THE POWER TO CHANGE LIVES.
Left to Right: Craig Menear, Kenneth Cooper, David Glass, Arthur Blank
That was the unofficial theme of this year’s Legacy Award Dinner benefiting The Cooper Institute. Held at the beautiful Belo Mansion in downtown Dallas, the event was a veritable who’s who of health and wellness champions. The evening began with the story of a champion - our Well.Hero, Orville Rogers. At 101 years old, Rogers has become a viral internet sensation for breaking 18 world records in track and field since the age of 90.
“I read Dr. Cooper’s book when I was 50 years old, and I started running the very next day,” said Rogers who is on the cover of this month’s issue of Money magazine.
Past Well.Hero. recipient Bob Shapard, Debbie Dennis
Laura DeFina, Orville Rogers
Following dinner, the board chairman for The Cooper Institute, Dr. Tedd Mitchell, spoke about the importance of building a better future by improving the health of our students. As the newly appointed chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, Dr. Mitchell knows all about preparing future generations to be life-ready adults. “Our country’s future depends on strong, healthy people to get the job done,” said Mitchell. “A healthy workforce starts with healthy youth. Fitness makes kids ready to take on the challenges of life.”
Keynote speaker Craig Menear, CEO of The Home Depot, added to the discussion about building a healthier generation. “Legacy is built within,” said Menear. “The values we pass on are our greatest gift to the future.”
Carol Murphy, Stan Richards
Tedd Mitchell
Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper introduced the Legacy Award honoree, Arthur Blank, by focusing on his achievements in his home state of Georgia. As the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and co-founder of The Home Depot, Blank was an instrumental force in making FitnessGram by The Cooper Institute the state-wide youth fitness assessment in all Georgia public schools. Since the establishment of FitnessGram in Georgia, the state now boasts improved fitness levels, reduced obesity levels, and higher SAT scores. It is a testament to the power of fitness and proof that healthy children are more successful. The Legacy Award is given annually to a champion of health and wellness, someone who takes on the mission of The Cooper Institute and helps make change. Few people have done as much in that regard as this year’s recipient. As Blank took to the stage, he also spoke of leaving a legacy.
Left to Right: Karen and David Spain, Shelly and Tom Codd
Left to Right: Oliver Blank, Nancy Blank, Angie Blank, Arthur Blank
