Ron Hall, co-author of the New York Times best-seller “Same Kind of Different As Me,” returned to Fort Worth, the city where the story of his remarkable friendship with a homeless man began at the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County almost 20 years ago. Hall was back in town to speak to residents and invited guests at The Stayton at Museum Way, an SQLC retirement community, where he talked about his unique friendship with the late Denver Moore, with whom he helped raised millions for the underserved all over the country. The event was highlighted by The Stayton’s donation of $1,500 to Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, which was accepted by the organization’s president and CEO, Don Shisler.

“Ron Hall has lived what is truly an amazing story that has blessed countless people, so it was our great pleasure to host Ron at The Stayton at Museum Way and to make a donation to the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, a wonderful organization serving our community,” said Melissa Heiss, director of sales and marketing at The Stayton at Museum Way. “Ron and Denver Moore truly left an imprint on our Greater Fort Worth community and many other communities all over the country.”

During the Red Carpet Speaker Series event at The Stayton, Hall said he met Moore, a homeless man with a storied past, while he and his late wife were volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County in 1998. He and Moore eventually forged a strong, close friendship and helped raise funding for the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County as well as other organizations nationwide, totaling almost $80 million before Moore’s death in 2012.

Hall also recalled the challenges of finding a publisher for “Same Kind of Different As Me,” a book that was Moore’s idea, which Hall co-wrote with him and Lynn Vincent. The book is now a film of the same name starring Renee Zellweger, Djimon Hounsou, Greg Kinnear and Jon Voight set to open in theaters later this year. Hall said the book, which was on the New York Times best-seller list for three and a half years, was rejected by as many as 20 publishers before it was finally accepted. He also recalled the trials and tribulations which came later with the film industry, including his rejection of a fictional and highly sensationalized screenplay until he finally regained the rights to the story. Eventually, Hall served as a writer on the project and helped make the film he originally envisioned.

The Red Carpet Speaker Series at The Stayton at Museum Way provides unique and often once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet renowned individuals and hear inspirational presentations. The speaker series is a dynamic piece of the Masterpiece Living^®philosophy which encourages continual learning in all regards – physical, mental, social and spiritual.