Page 26 - Waterways_Feb_2019

SOCIAL SCENE

Taylor Swiedom, Shravan Parsi, Patty Carter, John Arrow, Robin Spitz, Joe Condit Andy Roddick, Kendra Scott, Matt Davis

Some 2,000 people gathered to support the Andy Roddick Foundation

(ARF), which provides afterschool and summer programs that enrich

the lives of students and parents. The programs keep participants

engaged in learning and offer them opportunities to explore their

interests and to strengthen family bonds.

are Hart, Pecan Springs and Harris elementary schools. her generosity, he determined the story of his life would be
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and a spectacular filled helping others.
supper in the theater. Jewelry designer Kendra Scott and “Kindness is a generous capital, and love is abundant.”
Matt Davis, CEO of Davis Spirits Company, kicked off the He explained that when kindness and love are combined,
gala’s program. Shortly thereafter Roddick came onstage the dividend is opportunity, which ARF pays to young
to thank everyone and share a few words before presenting people “so that they can find their passion, so they can use
Bones with an honorary ARF board member jacket in that passion to alter their minds.” Tagle called this work of
gratitude for all his work for the organization. Bentley then paying out that dividend “the most important thing I will
joined the pair for a brief Q&A that included a few good- ever do.”
natured jibes. Generous financial capital was overflowing during the
ARF CEO Richard Tagle used his time onstage to share night’s live auction, led by the legendary cowboys of Heath PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRANDI NELLIS AND TYLER SCHMITT/ANDY RODDICK FOUNDATION
a very personal story. Seeking to author his own life’s story, Hale Auctioneers. Items up for bidding included a private
Tagle left his native Manila at age 16 1/2 to immigrate to dinner for 14 planned by Uchi head chef Tyson Cole as well
the U.S. He settled in San Francisco, attended school at as a glamorous trip to Los Angeles for four as guests of
night and worked long hours to pay his expenses. When Brooklyn Decker to attend the filming of the forthcoming
he became very ill and had no one to call for help, Tagle sixth season of her Netflix show, Grace and Frankie. When
related, he was the recipient of tremendous kindness from all the bid-wrangling wrapped, ARF had raised more than
his downstairs neighbor, a stranger to him but who knew half a million dollars.
his routine so well she noticed his absence and felt com- The gala ended with a stellar performance by the
pelled to check in on the young man. So inspired was he by award-winning Bentley followed by a VIP after-party.

24 WATERWAYS | February 2019