50 Years of Supporting Youth Charities

Spindletop Founder Loy D. "Butch" Griffin 1939-1984
Spindletop Founder
Loy D. “Butch” Griffin
1939-1984

Spindletop Charities, Inc. celebrated its 50th anniversary at the 41st annual Spindletop Holiday Ball in 2014, and continued its Golden Jubilee Celebration through the 50th annual Spindletop Oilmen’s Golf Tournament in 2015.

Spindletop Charities, Inc. (also known as Spindletop International) is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit corporation and was founded in 1965 by a young professional in the energy service industry, Loy D. “Butch” Griffin. His vision was to build an organization promoting goodwill and fellowship within the oil and gas industry while benefiting children “in need.” Griffin chose the name “Spindletop” to ensure the charity would be synonymous with the oil and gas industry. Today, more than 50 years later and because of a solid foundation, Spindletop continues to make significant contributions to area youth charities.

Golden Jubilee Highlights
Spindletop Holiday Ball

Past Spindletop award honorees were recognized during the Spindletop Holiday Ball. The evening proved to be a wonderful reunion for the attending individuals.

Past-Award-Winners

The Mr. Spindletop Award, was created in 1976 to honor an individual within the exploration or production sector of the industry. Pictured are (right to left, top row): Jack Schanck, Raymond Wilcox, Michael Weill, Suane Radtke, James Payne, and William Berry. (right to left, bottom row); Charles Davidson, Ali Moshiri, Ryan Lance, and Orville Gaither.

The Don Waggener Award was created in 1977 to honor an individual within the service sector of the industry. The name was later changed to include the memory of Spindletop’s founder. The past recipients attending the event were (left to right, top row): Galen Cobb, Joe Hudson, Sheldon Erikson, M.E. Eagles, Pete Miller, Jack Moore and David Williams. (left to right, bottom row): David Johnson, James Day, James Bryan, Peter Kinnear, Alan Baker, Chad Deaton, Joe Netherland and Dean Taylor

Learn More about the Spindletop Holiday Ball Honorees

Spindletop’s largest gift to date, $1 million, was announced and presented to YES Prep Public Schools. The Spindletop Center for Teaching Excellence will be completed in 2016-2017 academic year. Unveiling the check with YES Prep students and faculty, were Spindletop representatives Constance White, Dave Stover and Ali Moshiri.
During the 50th anniversary celebration, as memorable photographs and historical music were being presented, 72 table centerpieces displayed beautiful sparklers for guests to enjoy! The surprise presentation made for a unique and memorable evening!
Commemorating Spindletop’s Golden Jubilee, the more than 700 guests were gifted “Celebrating Fifty Years of Giving”, produced by Spindletop Design LLC. The beautiful hardbound publication filled with Spindletop historical data and a 50 year industry timeline, included a lovely congratulatory greeting by President George W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Golden Jubilee Highlights
50th Annual Spindletop Oilmen’s Golf Tournament

The Mayor of Houston proclaimed May 1, 2015 Spindletop International Day in honor of Spindletop’s 50th anniversary and the continued support to youth charities fueled by the generosity of the oil and gas industry.

Spindletop commissioned the citizens of Brookwood Community to create a Spindletop Comfort Bowl commemorating the Golden anniversary. The beautiful and symbolic bowls were distributed to the Spindletop sponsors during the tournament in appreciation of their support. The Bowl features oil wells, golf balls, bluebonnets along with an inscription reminding the recipients that Spindletop has been making a difference in the lives of children since 1966.
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