Remembering Linda Pope – an inspiration to us all
July 29, 2016
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Linda Pope at the very first Drive the Dream gala in 2005.
The world of philanthropy lost a leading light last week with the passing of Linda Pope. Barrett-Jackson and the Jackson family lost a longtime friend who will be greatly missed.
Back in 2004, Linda Pope approached Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, to propose a unique event to bring together the generous collector car community and the nonprofit organization Childhelp, and he didn’t have to think twice. The “Drive the Dream” gala was born.
Linda Pope with emcee Merv Griffin at the 2005 Drive the Dream gala.
“My brother Brian was involved with Childhelp even before the organization moved to the Valley, my mom was – the whole family was,” said Craig. “When Linda shared her vision of creating an event for Childhelp around collector cars that would attract both men and women, she made me realize how to use the vehicle of Barrett-Jackson to help those in need. She was the force that energized our philanthropic efforts.”
What began in 2005 as a grand lead-in to Barrett-Jackson’s world-famous Scottsdale auction, the Drive the Dream gala is now in its twelfth year and is the largest signature fundraiser for Childhelp – the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to advocating for abused and neglected children.
“Drive the Dream wouldn’t have happened without Linda,” said Craig.
Another passion of Linda’s was ballroom dancing. She competed in and won dance competitions around the world and was CEO of World Dance Network. With her partner Simon Fuller, creator of “American Idol,” Linda developed a television show, “Ballroom Blitz,” which was sold to TLC Network and aired internationally. It was through World Dance Network that Linda also developed fundraisers to help local and national charities.
Linda became revered and respected for that charity work in the Valley of the Sun. She and her husband Bill were often referred to as “megaphilanthropists” because of their incredible involvement in community and national philanthropic efforts. Linda won countless awards for her work, and chaired and co-chaired many high-profile non-profit events, including the Arizona Shines, Big Game Big Give 2015 Super Bowl VIP Party, which raised $1.1 million for charity – setting a record as the first non-NFL charity to raise $1 million at the Super Bowl.
“Linda raised the bar for philanthropy in the Valley, encouraging more and more people to engage in these events,” said Craig Jackson. “She was such a great person – an ambassador for Arizona. She will be missed.”
Many of us have the aspiration of making a difference in the world. Linda Pope was someone who did.