When Wholly Guacamole founder Don Bowden sold his business to Hormel a few years ago, he and his wife, Linda, knew what they wanted to do with the money.
"My wife and I decided to give some to our children and the rest to charity," said Don in his distinctly Fort Worth drawl.
One of the charities they chose was Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine, where Linda was treated several times over the years.
After her death in May 2017, Don began following through with their plans.
When Steven Newton, president of Baylor Scott & White – Grapevine, met with Don, the guacamole pioneer explained that he’d like to donate $1 million to the hospital.
"I was astonished," Steven said. "We always appreciate being affirmed by family members of those we care for, and that would have been a meaningful gift in and of itself. To have him say that he’d like to make a donation of that size was amazing."
Don made the gift to show his appreciation to employees. To this end, hospital leaders established a fund that can be used in areas of greatest need and to help fund scholarships or continuing education for employees.
Don founded the company that produced Wholly Guacamole in 1989. But his experience with avocados, and Mexican food in general, goes back to 1966, when he opened several Panchos Mexican Buffets in North Texas. Later, he went on to launch the Dos Gringos and Mercado Juarez restaurants.
Using fresh avocados to make guacamole and other dishes was always troublesome because of the fruit’s short shelf life. When he learned of a new technology that uses high pressure to kill bacteria and preserve food, he gave it a try with avocados. The process worked, and coupled with vacuum-sealed packaging, allowed him to make fresh guacamole without chemicals or preservatives. It also extended the shelf life to about 30 days.
The concept took off, and he could barely keep up with demand.
Linda, who taught high school business classes at L.D. Bell High School for several years before marrying Don in 1972, was known for her generosity. She would sometimes call the school counselor to ask if any students needed help. Linda also enjoyed listening to people and hearing their stories.
During her hospitalizations at Baylor Scott & White – Grapevine, Linda often spoke with employees and asked them about why they liked working for the hospital. "They’d usually respond that they felt like people cared more here than at other places they had worked," Don said.
"Don said he was moved by the special and tender care provided by every member of the team, including our nursing staff, ancillary staff and our physicians, all the way through our housekeepers and food service workers," Steve said. "He wanted to make sure that the entire team at Baylor Scott & White - Grapevine understood how grateful he was, and wanted everyone to be recognized."
In honor of Linda, the hospital changed the name of its service award to the Linda Bowden Heart of Service Award. "It is presented each year to one employee in recognition of going above and beyond for our patients," Steve explained.
The next award will be given in February 2018, and Don has been invited to the ceremony, Steve said. "He will help us present the first Linda Bowden Heart of Service Award."
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