The gift of life

Holocaust Museum Houston’s capital campaign is underway with plans for a $33.8 million expansion. Longtime HMH supporter and philanthropist Lester Smith found himself in a near-death experience as he underwent a double lung transplant last year. The lung donation came from a random stranger who died in a car accident. While recovering in his hospital bed after surgery, Lester knew what he wanted to do with his second chance. He and his wife Sue committed to a $15 million matching grant to the project. On June 20, he stood before a packed room at the expansion announcement, in tears. He said, “There is nothing like a near-death experience to put one's life in perspective, and you ask yourself, 'Did I do everything I could to make this world a better place?'" The new building will be named Holocaust Museum Houston, Lester and Sue Smith Campus. In May, the museum also celebrated its 22nd Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner at the Marriott Marquis Houston. The annual dinner raised more than $1.25 million to support educational programs of the museum. The Smiths surprised guests with a $1 million donation that night. Chairing this year’s award dinner were Ira Mitzner and Fred Zeidman, along with their families. Serving as honorary chairs were pastor John and Diana Hagee, Barbara and Gerald Hines, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, and Sylvester Turner, mayor of Houston.

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