A Legendary Evening
26 Apr
I recently attended a dinner in Middleburg, Virginia where the featured entertainment was John Legend. Legend is a nine time Grammy winner famous for songs such as “Whenever It Rains,” “If this World Were Mine” and “Sun Comes Up.”
The event was a fundraiser at the home of Sheila Johnson, who along with other endeavors, is president and managing partner of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Last year we formed a partnership with the Mystics to help promote health and wellness in our community. So on this evening we gathered together with our new friends to benefit Inova’s Healthy Generations to Come.
And quite frankly, this was the most magical evening I ever spent in a barn! Yup, this is not a typo. The dinner and performance all took place in their stables and indoor riding ring which was transformed into a most elegant and delightful venue to bring together old friends and new. Reflecting back on the night, this event reminds me of the importance of expanding my horizons.
The Mystics chose Inova because we are highly respected and have a visionary outlook in shaping the future of healthcare. And through this partnership, we met Sheila, and Sheila is good friends with John Legend. So there we all are, in a barn, having a great time! In addition to some of our regular Inova faithful fans and supporters, there were many John Legend fans there as well. We were able to share with them the Inova story and the excellent services we provide for children by our talented and dedicated staff. We discussed new opportunities, new ideas and strengthened our community ties.
In our personal lives, events such as weddings, births and celebrations bring us together for one cause. In our professional lives, events such as meetings, seminars and celebrations bring us together as well. Here we create shared experiences and have a chance to form special and long lasting relations if we choose. It’s not always easy to break out of our comfortable silos and away from our inner group, but I know whenever I do, I am grateful for the experience.
So while my heart was touched that evening by the inspirational music, fabulous food and the wonderful folks gathered together, I hope they were also touched and felt connected to the greater good of supporting the children. And while my family and I had a great time that evening, I’m reminded of the greater good created. The evening may have affected me for just one night, but the lasting effects of the money raised will last for generations to come.
