"If the city does not grow in the direction you feel is right, you have to stand up and be counted." Ann and Bruce Hallmark have served and helped El Paso grow since they arrived here in 1965.

They both grew up in small Texas towns, and met at the University of Texas at Austin. Bruce was in law school, and Ann was working on her Master's in Music. They were both serving on the University's International Council. "In the 1950's, there were a lot of foreign students coming to the university," recalled Bruce. It gave both Bruce and Ann an appreciation of other countries and cultures, and made El Paso an easy home. "There was so much color in Juarez, it stimulated our curiosity," said Ann.

They raised four children while Bruce built his practice as an estate planning attorney, and Ann taught piano from home. "I have taught at least two, and maybe three generations of families," said Ann.

The Hallmarks worked hard for the community as well. They were cheerleaders for their children's activities, and also served to support the community and the arts. Ann served on the board of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and Bruce worked with Family Services and currently the serves on Symphony board.

In 1987, the Hallmarks came to the El Paso Community Foundation and established a fund. "We liked the idea of having a family fund," says Bruce. "It is not a large thing, but still it gives us the feeling that we are participating in something important."

Now, married 49 years, Bruce and Ann stay busy. Bruce practices at Kemp Smith Law Firm, and teaches english at a language school. He plays piano, too. "I can never practice, because the piano is always in use," he smiles. Ann still teaches piano every day. "It is very important that our children gain an appreciation of the arts from our community," says Ann.

Ann and Bruce Hallmark's Great Gift to El Paso is their family fund, and their commitment to El Paso's future. They can stand and be counted among our most generous citizens, whether practicing the law of the land, or teaching one piano student at a time.