Beautiful art accompanied by stunning views of downtown Dallas at the home of Kathryn and Craig Hall in the Hall Arts Residences were the perfect backdrop for the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award patron party, honoring the 2024 award recipient James W. Keyes. Former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster Inc., Keyes exemplifies the great legacy of leadership and service to the Dallas community by former Dallas mayor, the late Robert S. Folsom. Established in 2005 by Methodist Health System Foundation, the award will be presented to Keyes at a celebratory evening event on May 17 at the Hilton Anatole. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to community leadership, emulating the achievements of Folsom, who is known for his immense contributions to the growth of Dallas, which included planting the seeds for an Arts District downtown.
Guests enjoyed a variety of Hall wines and bites while mingling and admiring the Hall’s extensive art collection and views of the city from the terrace.
Craig Hall welcomed guests to their home for an event honoring their longtime friends Jim and Margo Keyes. He expressed gratitude that he and Kathryn were able to host this special occasion honoring Jim.
Kathryn Hall echoed Craig’s remarks, welcoming guests and sharing that the Keyes had been dear friends for many years. She thanked the attendees for their support of a vital health system in Dallas, “making Methodist such an important part of our community – it’s beautiful and awe-inspiring.”
The evening highlighted Jim’s many accolades, including his new book – Education is Freedom: The Future is in Your Hands. Kathryn Hall continued, “It’s a tribute to issues Jim holds dear – a meaningful symbol of his lifelong commitment to education. Jim is a perfect recipient of the Robert Folsom Award. Folsom was a symbol of leadership, integrity and commitment to our city, and Jim naturally demonstrates many of Bob Folsom’s strongest attributes.”
Methodist Health System Foundation President James M. Johnston then shared how much he had enjoyed getting to know the Keyes over the last few months and reiterated that Jim Keyes was a perfect selection for this honor. He shared that multiple generations of the Folsom family had been committed supporters of Methodist over the years and that Keyes possesses these same qualities of “character, honor, integrity, and giving back to this city.”
Johnston also recognized co-chairs Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Carolyn and David Miller, and Lottye and Bobby Lyle, stating that Nancy Ann and David were former recipients along with Linda and Mitch Hart, who were also in attendance. He thanked the presenting sponsors, including The Lupe Murchison Foundation, and their three trustees in attendance: Jerry Smith and his wife, Gail; Robert McCullough and his wife, Charleen, and Mike Redden and his wife, Elaine. He also recognized the support of Jewel and Roland Parrish, Mary and Rich Templeton (2023 Folsom Award recipients), Mary and Mike Terry, and Margo and Jim Keyes.
Johnston acknowledged the incredible leaders of the Methodist family: Chairman of the Methodist Health System Foundation Board of Trustees Steve Folsom representing the Folsom family; CEO of Methodist Health System, Jim Scoggin and his wife, Missy; President of Methodist Health System, Pam Stoyanoff, as well as the presidents of Methodist hospitals throughout the DFW Metroplex.
He shared how the proceeds will be used for this year’s event. “Jim Keyes has graciously designated that the proceeds from this year’s event support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. This project is extremely meaningful as the NICU is a crucial component in supporting Methodist’s mission to serve an ever-increasing number of disadvantaged families, particularly in the Southern Sector.”
Johnston recognized that when Keyes learned that the transformation of the NICU was the highest priority of Methodist Health System, he said, “Even though Margo and I do not have children of our own, much of our effort goes toward helping young people…so, in this way, we have many children who can benefit from our efforts. Therefore, supporting the NICU at Methodist Dallas would fit nicely into this purpose.”
Johnston concluded that this event had already raised just over $1.6 million, which was among this event’s most successful Folsom efforts. “This is a huge tribute to Jim Keyes and to the great service Methodist Health System provides to those most in need in our community.”
Jim Keyes expressed his thanks and shared two stories. The first one centered on the day Bobby Lyle invited him to a breakfast meeting “just to catch up,” but upon being escorted to a private room, he knew something was up. During that breakfast discussion, he was asked to be the honoree and to pick a theme for the event. Keyes said, “I picked gratitude.” He then expressed gratitude to all the chairs and honorees before him and shared he was grateful for Robert Folsom. “Folsom was Dallas. When Margo and I came here 35 years ago, we fell in love and are so proud of this city. We want to do more. This is a place where you can think big, and people respond to that.”
He also shared he was grateful for the timing of this special occasion. “Bob Folsom was chairman of the board of trustees for the Dallas Independent School District, and he truly cared about kids who didn’t have opportunities.” Keyes then explained that one of his first speaking engagements after his book came out in 2024 was at Sunset High School in Southern Dallas. He was able to share a photo of Snoop Dog reading a copy of his book, and the students were immediately engaged! The students were then given autographed copies of Education Is Freedom – with one book containing a $100 bill. As the books were being distributed, it was totally serendipitous when the student who received the $100 book was the valedictorian of the senior class. “It was a beautiful and emotional moment.”
Keyes concluded, “I have such gratitude for all of this -- for tonight, for this honor, for the entire Methodist organization -- and I thank you all for this honor.”
Last year alone, Methodist Health System provided more than $182 million in unreimbursed charity care. The Folsom event has been recognized as one of Dallas’ largest fundraising events and has raised more than $22 million since 2005 to benefit Methodist Health System’s programs and services.
Past Folsom Leadership Award recipients include Robert S. Folsom (2005), Nancy Ann Hunt (2006), Troy Aikman (2007), first lady Laura Bush (2008), the late Norman Brinker (2009), Pat and Emmitt Smith (2010), Trevor Rees-Jones (2011), Mike Boone (2012), Rev. Mark Craig (2013), Dr. Bobby B. Lyle (2014), Jack Lowe, Jr., (2015), Dr. R. Gerald Turner (2016), David B. Miller (2017), Texas Sen. Royce West, (2018), Michael S. Rawlings (2019), Linda and Mitch Hart (2021), and Mary and Rich Templeton (2023).
About Methodist Health System
Methodist Health System (Methodist) is a faith-based organization with a Mission to improve and save lives through compassionate, quality healthcare. For nearly a century, Dallas-based Methodist Health System has been a trusted choice for health and wellness, offering nationally recognized medical services, a network of 12 hospitals (through ownership and affiliation), and more than two-dozen clinics located throughout the region. Methodist has renowned teaching programs, innovative research, and a strong commitment to the community. The non-profit Methodist Health System provided more than $182 million in charity care in fiscal year 2023. Additional information is available at MethodistHealthSystem.org.
About Methodist Health System Foundation
Methodist Health System Foundation is a nonprofit foundation led by community and civic leaders who donate their time, service, and expertise to raise funds for hospital projects. For those interested in supporting the Robert S. Folsom Award, please contact Methodist Health System Foundation Vice President Joy Duncan at 214-947-4585 or joyduncan@mhd.com. More information is available at Methodisthealthsystem.org/RobertSFolsomLeadershipAward.