This year’s ninth annual Buckner Shining Hope Luncheon will feature a conversation with Barbara Pierce Bush, co-founder and board chair of Global Health Corps and is the daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. The fundraiser event benefits Buckner Midland and its Permian Basin programs, Buckner Family Pathways and Buckner Foster Care and Adoption.

Former Midland news anchor Tatum Hubbard, now the chief of staff/executive director of communications for University of Texas Permian Basin, will host the luncheon and moderate the conversation with Bush. 

The luncheon will also include remarks from Dr. Albert Reyes, CEO and president of Buckner International.

“Every year the Permian Basin shows up to support Buckner and make our annual luncheon a sell-out event, and I know having Barbara Pierce Bush as our featured guest will lead to another packed room,” Reyes said. “We are incredibly blessed to have such an amazing community support our mission to follow the example of Jesus by serving vulnerable children and families.”

Supporting nonprofits is dear to Bush’s heart. In 2009, she co-founded Global Health Corps, which mobilizes young leaders to solve the world’s most pressing health issues. Since its founding, GHC has placed over 1,000 young leaders on the front lines of health equity in Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, and the United States, developing a cadre of creative, effective, and compassionate changemakers.

Bush is a fellow at Schmidt Futures, a venture facility and foundation for public benefit focused on technology and society, shared prosperity, and scientific benefit where she supports racial justice, global health and COVID-19 investments and programs. 

The Buckner luncheon will feature a VIP meet-and-greet opportunity for sponsors to speak with Bush in a smaller setting and take a picture. Tables to accommodate groups of eight people are still available for the luncheon.

Purchase your table tickets at Buckner.org/events.