12th Annual Pull for Kids Classic Honors Longtime Child Advocates Supporter and Celebrates Child Advocates' 20 Years of Service to Over 12,000 Abused Children

(May 15, 2004)-It's not the special events and parties that keep him involved. Nor is it the prestige or networking opportunities that keep him serving. It's Nolan Lehmann's fervent belief that "bad things should not happen to children."

This year, the 12th Annual Pull for Kids Classic will honor longtime ChildAdvocates supporter, Nolan Lehmann. Lehmann's involvement with Child Advocates spans more than 10 years, and his roles have ranged from serving as board chairman for the organization to serving as a four-time chairman for the Pull for Kids Classic. Through his leadership, the Pull for Kids raised nearly a half a million dollars in 1999 - the largest amount of money raised ever for any of Child Advocates' special events and fundraisers.

Lehmann's hope for this year's event is "record proceeds, from lots of people who have a lot of fun while learning about Child Advocates' mission," shared Lehmann.

When he's not providing leadership and service to Child Advocates, he can be found managing investments in 15 private companies as president of Equus Capital, or as Lehmann describes,"doing everything from making wooden pallets to tracking bank robbers." Lehmann's past interests and endeavors are equally varied. He served as an altar boy in his youth, was a member of a rock and roll group during his teen years, won awards for raising a garden and pigs in his 4-H club in high school and served his country as a member of the United States military.

One of the things he is most proud of is the new status he will have in August-that of a new Grandpa.

EVENT TOURNAMENT. The Pull for Kids' Classic happens Saturday, June 5 and will be a two-part affair that kicks off with a half-day sporting clays tournament from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Westside Sporting Grounds in Katy.

THE PARTY! The event will conclude that evening with a huge bash for 800 guests on the floor at the Reliant Stadium from 7 p.m. to midnight.
This year's event will be particularly special as it marks the 20th anniversary of event beneficiary, Child Advocates, Inc. Since 1984, Child Advocates has helped more than 12,000 of Houston's most severe victims of child abuse, neglect and abandonment.

"The fact that I still cry and hurt when I hear about the cases Child Advocates is assigned is why I've been around for as long as I have," shared Lehmann. "Bad things should not happen to children, but if they do, we should step in to help."

In addition to the Pull for Kids Classic honoring Lehmann, the event will also pay special tribute to all past recipients of the James A. Gwinn Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award, a coveted distinction which was first given in 1996 in memory of James A. Gwinn, an outstanding Child Advocates volunteer who passed away after succumbing to cancer. Bernie Powell, the first recipient of the award in 1996 will be on hand along with the seven other recipients.

In addition to the special tributes at the Saturday evening bash, party guests can expect an electric, celebratory atmosphere of live music by Houston's own Bayou Funk Experiment, great food and a live and silent auction with items including a Houston Rocket's jersey worn and autographed by Yao Ming, golfing packages, Houston Texan tickets, great get-aways and more!

Marc Vandermeer, voice of the Houston Texans will serve as master of ceremonies for this year's event.

Tickets for the Saturday Evening Bash range from $250 to $1,000 per couple and team sponsorship packages range from $800 to $25,000.

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