Ray Davis to speak at Four Rivers Banquet March 1
By Four Rivers Outreach
Feb 22, 2012
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Four Rivers Outreach will host its second Giving Banquet at Grayson County Airport on March 1 at 7:00 p.m. with keynote speaker Ray C. Davis, a principal owner of the Texas Rangers Baseball Franchise. 

Four Rivers outreach was founded in 2006 by Larry Watkins and Arthur Horn and currently occupies a 10,000 square foot facility near downtown Sherman offering support services to persons ready to end their cycle of addiction to drugs and alcohol.  Four Rivers provides a place where healing occurs while addressing accountability, education, economic stability, and spiritual needs.  Services include job readiness, job placement and job coaching through its Career Center; GED Classes, adult literacy and life skill classes.  In addition to helping clients access treatment services, staff and volunteers help with housing, transportation, and community service compliance.

A major focus of the fund-raising effort will focus on opening the new Transitional Living Center for women.  Four Rivers was gifted a 3800 square foot house on 2 acres near Sherman that will address a serious need for temporary housing for women transforming their lives as they move toward sobriety.

“So many women who are ready to move toward a healthier lifestyle feel trapped without an alternative living option and this home will address their need,” said Lanetta Nix,  Four Rivers Board member. 

The current facility offers transitional living for men and has provided a bridge toward more permanent and independent housing.  Twenty- five men have stayed at Four Rivers for varying lengths of time while they are seeking employment, disability benefits, completing their education and finding alternative housing.  Providing similar services for women is a goal for the coming year.

Keynote speaker Ray Davis is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Avatar Investments,L.P. a family owned diversified investment company.  Mr. Davis co-founded Energy Transfer in 1994 which was taken public in 2004, and he is currently on the Board of Directors of Energy Transfer Equity (ETE).  Mr. Davis is currently a principal owner and the Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American League Champion Texas Rangers.  After 30 years of business experience in the energy industry, Davis calls North Texas home where he and his wife Linda enjoy ranching, hunting, and travel.

Ray C. Davis

“We are fortunate to benefit from Mr. Davis’s generosity and involvement in our community especially for a cause that is making a difference in so many lives,” commented John Nix,  board of directors’ president at Four Rivers.

Over 100 volunteers have committed 15,000 hours of service at Four Rivers.  From its beginning in 2006 with two clients, Four Rivers has grown to serve 525 clients, serving 25,000 meals and providing compassionate accountability and loving encouragement.  Many of the clients are referred through the judicial system and the drug court requirements.  Partnership agencies and organizations include Rotary, Workforce Solutions, TCOG, MHMR, TAPS, Austin College, Grayson College, District Courts and Probation, CPS, Crisis Center, NTYC, Salvation Army, and Grayson County Shelter, etc.

Sponsorships for the banquet are still available and begin at $1,000 for a table of 10. For more information please contact Four Rivers for more information at 903-870-4000.