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Dan Carpenter
(325) 673-4587
Marketing@thegracemuseum.org

Photo courtesy of Community Foundation of Abilene

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Grace to honor Maggy Morford at annual gala

Abilene, TX (April 8, 2008) - The Grace Museum announced today that Maggy Morford will be the 2008 honoree for The Grace's annual gala fundraiser, Fall Benefit.

Well-respected throughout the community as a woman of character and service, Morford has lived in Abilene since 1961.

"I believe Maggy Morford spends her days thinking about how to help Abilene," said Nancy Jones, President of Community Foundation of Abilene. "Maggy is an 'improver,' and there isn't an organization she's been involved with that doesn't carry her special imprint."

A native of California, Maggy grew up and was educated in Fresno. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles, where she spent three years working for a film producer/director as an executive assistant and dialogue director. She married Robert Morford in 1945, and spent the ensuing years until his death in 1992 by his side as Robert's job took them to Oklahoma, Abilene, Kansas City, Memphis, and back to Abilene in 1961. The Morford's had four sons, and as they were growing up, according to Maggy, she had "the usual jobs … room mother, treasurer of the tennis team, swim team, and constant carpool driver."

Although involved with numerous school and community activities throughout the years of raising her family, Maggy's interest and participation with area non-profits increased significantly once her nest was empty.

"Maggy joined the Community Foundation Board of Trustees as we were just beginning," said Jones. "I quickly realized the Foundation needed her special skills: taking the measure of a charity and assessing how it fits into the community and meets needs. Maggy recognized earlier than anyone the power of flexible funds to help the community she loves."

In addition to her service with the Community Foundation, Maggy served for several years on the board of Sears Methodist Retirement System. She is also active at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, where she has served on the Vestry and Altar Guild, as well as volunteering at the Thrift House. She also is committed to St. John's Episcopal School, and Just People, Inc., and has served on the City Parks Advisory Board and the Library Advisory Board.

Maggy is also an avid supporter of the arts in Abilene, and has been a member of The Grace Museum since 1993. The arts also continue to benefit financially from Maggy's generosity through her Community Foundation donor advised fund.

"Maggy represents the highest level of constructive support for an organization or entity," said H.C. Zachry, friend and owner of Zachry Associates. "She's smart, skillful, up to date, energetic and generous with her resources. She adds a powerful component to any board or committee. On top of that, Maggy is always charming and fun to be with."

The Grace Museum's Fall Benefit 2008 will be Saturday, September 20. For more information, call 325-673-4587.

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The Grace Museum's exhibitions and educational programs are supported in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, the City of Abilene, Taylor County, and the Downtown Revitalization Program of the Tax Increment Finance District. The Grace Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1909, The Hotel Grace served as a rest stop for railway travelers. The mission-style building was renovated and re-opened in 1992 as The Grace Cultural Center. The Grace Museum , a non-profit organization, now serves as a home to a Children's Museum, History Museum , and Art Museum. At 55,000 sq. ft., The Grace Museum is the 10th largest general museum in Texas . The Grace Museum is the cornerstone of cultural arts and education in West Texas .