September 23rd, 2015
CTMC Foundation gala to honor the Ingrams, prominent Central Texas philanthropists

FROM STAFF & SUBMITTED REPORTS

Diamond Rio, the contemporary country and Christian band, will headline the Central Texas Medical Center Foundation’s annual Stars of Texas Gala on Oct. 11. The last day to buy tickets and sponsorships is Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Assembled as an attraction at Opryland USA in 1982, the band has performed with the same six members since 1989 and under the same name since 1991. Diamond Rio has recorded seven full-length albums, three of which were certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The event will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 at the city of San Marcos Conference Center at the Embassy Suites, 1001 E. McCarty Lane. Tickets cost $200.

In addition to live music, the gala will feature gourmet dining and a silent auction conducted for the first time by smartphone, foundation director Jerilyn Miller said. Auction items include a guitar autographed by Diamond Rio; Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, San Antonio Spurs and Texas State Bobcat game tickets; designer handbags; Le Crueset cookware; and an AKC-registered bulldog puppy.

This year, the gala will benefit the medical center’s Ingram Heart Center and include a tribute to Bruce and Gloria Ingram, whose $1.1 million contribution to CTMC this summer helped purchase its second interventional cardiac catheterization lab.

“The Ingrams have bolstered our community through their charitable spirits and dedication to those in need. Through the years, they’ve provided ongoing support to the hospital,” said Celena McGuill, who chairs the CTMC Foundation’s board of directors.

In 1957, Bruce Ingram founded Ingram Readymix Inc., which now produces concrete products at 24 plants in 22 cities, including San Marcos, Seguin and Blanco. The Ingrams moved from Pearsall to San Marcos in 1970 and from San Marcos to Comal County in 2004.