Dallas-based Wilson Associates held its twelfth annual Point of Excellence Awards Luncheon at The Belo Mansion in Dallas on Nov. 12.

Each year Wilson Associates hosts the Point of Excellence Awards Luncheon to honor excellence in service to the design industry. Over 325 people attended this year's event, which recognizes vendors and service providers in the design industry who provide exemplary service and perform above and beyond expectations. This year the two Point of Excellence awards were presented to Andrea Pickens of Donghia, Inc. and Art Dallas Inc.

All proceeds from the Point of Excellence Awards luncheon benefit The Wilson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 by Trisha Wilson, Wilson Associates president and CEO. The mission of The Wilson Foundation is to "make a difference one child at a time" by providing financial support for education and healthcare programs for disadvantaged children. In addition to helping fund education programs in the U.S., The Wilson Foundation directs much of its support to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in rural South Africa that focus on education, healthcare, and other services for at-risk children.

In 2003, The Wilson Foundation helped local community leaders establish and build Waterberg Academy, an independent private school in Vaalwater, and the only school of its kind in the Waterberg region. The Wilson Foundation supports the school in many ways, including providing bursaries (scholarships) to enable underprivileged students to attend school.  A focus of this year's luncheon program was to create awareness and interest in the launch of a new facility at Waterberg Academy – a new Library, Science and Technology Center.  "This addition will bring Waterberg Academy to a higher level of excellence that will help attract other qualified teachers and students from throughout the region, as well as additional bursary students," says Trisha Wilson.

"We are so grateful for the incredible support of our vendors, service providers, and other friends in the design community who participate in the Point of Excellence Awards event each year," continues Wilson. "With their help, The Wilson Foundation is making a difference every day in the lives of hundreds of children in rural South Africa. These are children that most of the world has forgotten, but we are able to make a huge impact on their lives and give them hope for the future."

In addition to the Point of Excellence luncheon in Dallas, Wilson Associates' Los Angeles office hosts a similar event each year benefiting The Wilson Foundation. The foundation also accepts gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations. For more information, visit: www.thewilsonfoundation.org