Famed ‘Dallas’ and ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ Star Larry Hagman to Open His Heart for Charlotte Homeless and Aspiring Students at May 15 Benefit at Halton Theater

‘Heart’ Event Master of Ceremonies Hagman to Present Keys to His Wife’s 1992 Red Ferrari and Unlock ‘Dreams’ for Raffle Winner, The Harvest Center and Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, N.C., April xx, 2008 – Larry Hagman, television icon and star of “Dallas” and “I Dream of Jeannie” will serve as Master of Ceremonies for “Heart,” a celebrity benefit to be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at Halton Theater on Central Piedmont Community College campus, 1206 Elizabeth Ave.  All proceeds from “Heart” will benefit The Harvest Center and performing arts scholarships at CPCC.  Only 200 tickets will be sold and are available now by calling Myra Heafner at 704-335-9579.  The ticket price ($1,000) includes attendance at the event for two, entry into the raffle for the Hagman Ferrari, as well as the opportunity to bid on a host of impressive auction items during a “red hot” evening of Hollywood-chic festivities including a reception, music by CPCC students, an entertaining retrospective by Hagman, and the auction and raffle.

By donating the 1992 red Ferrari he gave his wife Maj, Hagman inspired his longtime friend, Charlotte civic and business leader Mark Erwin, to create a charitable event with a unique twist.  Erwin promises guests a uniquely entertaining evening coupled with the chance to give back to the Charlotte community in two ways.  “This event will help The Harvest Center lift up the people in our community who are challenged by homelessness, poverty and addiction, as well as enable CPCC to provide performing arts scholarships to aspiring students,” said Erwin.

“You won’t be able to shoot ‘J.R.,’ but one lucky guest who’s dreaming of a red Ferrari, will have his wish granted,” quipped Erwin.  On second thought, “for a large enough donation, all things are possible.”

The Ferrari will be awarded to the person whose name is drawn at the conclusion of the auction.  The winner is not required to be present to win.

The items to be auctioned at the event include many personalized and priceless packages including the following and more:  A Webb Farm Quail Hunt for four including lodging, meals and hunting dogs; dinner parties at distinctly different private venues – The City Club, Belle Acres and the Duke Mansion; a Diamond Creek golf trip; a one-year membership in the luxury car club, Privatus, with driving privileges in one of the club’s exotic cars; a summer week at DeBordieu, and Jeff Gordon’s Hot Wheels car driven by Jeff on the Tony Danza show.

The “Heart” event is being organized by the Avenir Foundation, which supports educational programs and outreach ministries that empower individuals and non-profit organizations.  Event steering committee chairs are Mark Erwin, Frank Martin and Tony Zeiss.

About Central Piedmont Community College

CPCC is the largest community college in North Carolina, offering 100 degree and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing education, and special interest classes.  CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County.  In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies.

Proceeds from this event will support performing arts scholarships at CPCC.  The College offers a nationally recognized performing arts program with associate in fine arts degrees (AFA) in art, dance, music, and music education.  Each year, performing arts students at CPCC produce more than six theatre and Opera theatre performances in the beautiful new Dale F. Halton Theater on CPCC’s Central Campus.  In addition, CPCC produces a Summer Theatre program, which includes five performances in ten weeks at the College. Graduates of the performing arts program at CPCC have become successful composers, music teachers, and performed on Broadway.

The Dale F. Halton Theater was named the 2006 “Best Concert Venue” in Creative Loafing’s Best of Charlotte, and the 2007 “Best Seat in the House” in Charlotte Magazine’s Best of the Best Awards.  The theater provides CPCC artists and audiences with a remarkable performance venue, as fine as any in our region.

About The Harvest Center

The Harvest Center changes lives by fulfilling the following mission statement: “To meet the spiritual and physical needs of the homeless and to restore them to full and productive lives.”

The Harvest Center has served Charlotte’s homeless, at-risk adults and children in the Genesis Park neighborhood since 1992.  Its core activities include serving hot meals, providing a food pantry, recreational facilities and activities for neighborhood children, and adult educational and addiction recovery programming. 

The Harvest Center, located at 1800 Brewton Drive, serves hot meals at breakfast and lunch three times a week.  Some 300 individuals are served at a typical lunch and 150 individuals at a typical breakfast.  More than 58,000 meals were served in 2007.  Also, a food pantry serving bagged groceries to over 1,200 families per month is available.  New and gently used warm clothing and blankets, educational, job skills, medical testing, free haircuts and youth programs are offered.

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