HARRY DALLARA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER
When: Monday, February 4, 2019, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: Wofford College – Harley Room
303 Evins Street (at the end of Evins Street)
Spartanburg, SC 29303
FEATURED SPEAKER
Ray Tanner
Athletic Director, University of South Carolina
Coach of NCAA College World Series Champion USC Gamecocks
2010 and 2011
Minimum Donation: $25.00 per person
Dinner will be provided Courtesy of Jeff Hodges of Holden's Ranch
Including their World Famous Chicken Stew
RSVP no later than Friday, January 25 to: gale.hagan-gayta@partnersgroup.com or call +1 212 908 2766
Harry Dallara Foundation Mission
The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation was established to honor the life and memory of Harry Anthony Joseph Dallara (1917–2012). Harry grew up in the Bronx and settled in Spartanburg after serving in World War II, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. He spent the rest of his entire adult life living and raising his family in Spartanburg. He worked for years as a tire and automotive salesman at the old Sears on North Church Street where he became known as "Mr. Sears" (see attached article from the Spartanburg Herald Journal). Upon his retirement from Sears, Harry then started a new career as a rose gardener at Converse College where he developed a second nickname, that of "The Rose Man" (see attached article from the 1990 Converse Yearbook).
As far back as the 1950's Harry discovered Tryon, North Carolina, and Harmon Field, an athletic facility donated to the Town of Tryon by the Harmon Foundation in 1927. The complex includes baseball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, equestrian facilities, picnic and playground areas, camping sites, and other opportunities for family activities. Over the years, Harry spent many Sunday afternoons at Harmon Field playing baseball with family and friends, often enjoying a picnic as well. He played his last game there in the spring of 2012 at the age of 95.
The Harry Dallara Foundation has committed its energy and financial resources to making significant improvements to the baseball facilities. All of the improvements envisioned by the Foundation are intended to enhance the enjoyment of those who make use of Harmon Field and to promote additional interest in this family-oriented athletic facility by boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds. We aim to reach children from all parts of the Piedmont region, including Spartanburg and Greenville Counties, as well as other towns and counties in the Carolinas. We also aim to build bridges internationally, especially between the US and Japan, where baseball is also a very popular sport. We hope to develop sporting and cultural exchanges with Japan that will benefit communities in both countries.
Project Scope
Plans for the Project call for a complete renovation of one of Harmon Field’s baseball diamonds, including new fencing and gates, a new scoreboard, and landscaping to create a park-like atmosphere. The Project will include a commissioned bronze statue of Harry Dallara inspired by a photograph of Harry hitting a baseball at the age of 92. In addition, there will be a bas-relief sculpture to honor the Tryon All Stars, a semi-professional African-American baseball team formed in the 1940s, which, because of segregation, were not allowed to play at Harmon Field during that era.
Ways to Give
You can make a gift in one of several ways:
Attend the Fundraiser and make a gift at that time
Make a gift directly to the Foundation by mailing a check to the Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation, Att: Charles H. Dallara, Chairman, c/o Partners Group (USA), The Grace Building, 1114 Ave of the Americas, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10036 or by wire transfer to BB&T Bank, Fairfax, VA, SWIFT Code: BRBTUS33, Routing Number: 051404260, Account Number: 250302339.
Underwrite the cost of a portion of the Project (e.g. the bas-relief, team gear and uniforms, score-board, etc.).
DonateDonate an item to be auctioned at the Fundraiser on February 4, 2019. To confirm your auction item contact Gale Hagan-Gayta (gale.hagan-gayta@partnersgroup.com) 212-908-2766) or Charles Dallara (charles.dallara@partnersgroup.com, 212-908-2782).
The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.
For additional information on our Mission, visit us on our website www.harrydallarafoundation.org
