Let’s face it: with Mother’s Day right around the corner, most moms are anticipating the joy of taking the weekend off. Whether it’s a trip to the spa or just a quiet dinner away from home, many look forward to the chance to get some extra rest in and maybe a little pampering (or sleep).

But for local philanthropist, wife, mother and community activist, Pat Smith, this weekend will likely feature little of the above. As the president of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, she joined her husband Emmitt in facilitating and fund-raising for the sixth annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Weekend.

Last night’s star-studded gala at the Omni Hotel Dallas, which was hosted by “Dancing With The Stars” personality Tom Bergeron and featured local and national celebrities (Vivica A. Fox, Darren Woodson, Tony Dorsett), bestowed the Roger Staubach Award to entertainer Steve Harvey and Marjorie Harvey for their mentoring work with single children and their families. Within the last five years, the Invitational Weekend has generated $4 milion dollars and distributed $1.4 million in grants to organizations dedicated to enriching and educationing underserved children across North Texas.

The proceeds from the gala and today’s event, an 18-hole celebrity golf tournament at the TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, will fund PESC in its efforts to benefit local groups like Educational First Steps, Autism Speaks, North Texas Food Bank and the Dallas Black Dance Theater, to name a few.

In a recent phone interview, Smith discussed the purpose of initiating PESC, what “Team 22” has accomplished and how she and husband Emmitt keep it fresh after 15 years of marriage, blended families and parenthood.

There have been plenty of local and national charities that have lofty goals and star power, but haven’t lasted as long or created the impact that yours has. Why do you think PESC has continued to thrive and help more people every year?

“First of all, I give honor to God because this was the assignment that He gave us. When Emmitt and I first got married,we realized that one of our common interests is wanting to give back. Both of us have had so many people in our lives that have loved us, mentored us and inspired us to reach higher and it just seemed like the right thing to do together. Also, it’s the wonderful people that have helped us on the journey: executive directors, event planners, host committees, and sponsors that stay with us year after year and remain committed to what we’re doing for Dallas.”

PESC funds and gives a higher platform to several local groups and also has one of its own called “Team 22.” Would you elaborate on what that initiative is about?

“‘Team 22′ provides unique cultural and mentoring opportunities for underserved North TX students. We started small by having six school admissions departments nominate children who were used financial aid or had scholarships. Students were chosen based on how how motivated they were to learn away from their learning environment, and then we interview each one. The groups of children attend [Central Texas’] Camp Champion and have been exposed to two U.S. Presidents: George W. Bush gave a private tour to one group of his presidential library, as well as meeting with President Obama in Washington, D.C. in his Oval Office. To expose our own children, as well as 25 others to experiences they might have never had otherwise, is really special.”

You and your husband, former Dallas Cowboys Rushing leader and Pro Football Hall Of Famer, Emmitt Smith, just celebrated your 15th wedding anniversary. How do two high-profile people like yourselves maintain the marriage?

“What we hear from people all the time is, ‘marriage is so hard.’ and they’re right, it takes work. But what I’ve noticed is that couples who have longevity—-the ones that are married 25, 50 and 60 years—-get through the difficult moments to have good times and feel more in love than ever before. It’s not a 50-yard dash, it’s a marathon, the journey you take together as husband and wife. When Emmitt and I get to the point where it feels like all work and no play, we take time out for date night, time with other couples or a trip just for us. We may be mad at each other for a few days, but we get through it because of that common bond we have, which is friendship and wanting to be married for a lifetime.”