Wednesday, May 15, the nonprofits were acting like it was a Thursday with the emphasis of activity in the downtown/uptown area. From lunching in the Ritz-Carlton ballroom to checking out “thangs,” including the approaching storms in the Museum Tower and One Arts Plaza luxury residences or a Preston Hollow mansion, it was indeed busy, busy, busy.
Cherish the Children
Mark and Fran Berg*
Cherish the Children at the Ritz-Carlton has earned a reputation for being more than just adorable children’s chairs being up for auction. Benefiting Dallas CASA, it’s also an opportunity to create greater awareness of the real-life issues facing children and how Dallas CASA is on the frontline for their protection.
Here is a detailed report from the field on the luncheon:
Carolee Smith, Victor Rivas Rivers and Angela Thompson*
“Keynote speaker Victor Rivas Rivers shared his powerful story of growing up in an abusive home and witnessing severe domestic violence with attendees like Caroline Rose Hunt, Charlotte and Niklas Heuveldop, Angela Thompson, Anne Crews, Hannah and Greg May, Lauren and Scott Maggard, Lucy Wrubel, Carolee Smith, Tess Kinsler, Penny Tower Cook, Fran and Mark Berg, Diane Scovell, Christie Carter, Christina Norris and Leigh Anne Haugh.
Greg and Hannah May
“Because of his personal experiences with domestic violence and severe abuse, Victor encouraged guests to be vigilant about standing up for abused children in our community by supporting Dallas CASA. Victor couched his entire speech with this question: “How are the children?” A traditional greeting of the Masai people in east Africa, the question reflects the truth that when a community’s children are safe, healthy and protected, so will be the community.
“At age 12, Victor went to the local police and told them all that was happening to him, his mother and siblings. Sadly, he was told that such occurrences are ‘a private family matter.’ It wasn’t until age 15 that Victor was finally able to take then-unprecedented legal action against his father, obtaining a restraining order that allowed him to unofficially enter foster care. A series of teachers, coaches and friends helped him overcome his past and have a successful future. Victor went on to become a professional football player and a veteran actor who has starred in more than two dozen films.
“Luncheon guests had the opportunity to meet Victor and purchased signed copies of his memoir, ‘A Private Family Matter.’ In addition, more than two dozen unique and whimsical children’s chairs were displayed at the sixth annual event hosted by the Dallas CASA Children’s Council.
“Including underwriting, sponsorships, ticket sales and chair sales, Dallas CASA raised $160,000 to support abused children in our community.”
Former Crystal Charity Ball Chairs Dinner
Pete and Caren Kline and Heather and Bill Esping**
Reunions are wonderful occasions when you get to catch up with those who shared a particular time and/or event. That was the case for the US Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management dinner for former Crystal Charity Ball chairs at Heather and Bill Esping’s Preston Hollow residence. The timing couldn’t have been better. Just before the storm lambasted the area the group had met, eaten and departed.
Past Crystal Charity Ball chairs**
Over the past 60 years, these chairwomen and their committees have raised more than $105M for area children’s charities.
Caren Kline addressing the group**
That is why the assembled group in the Espings’ home truly appreciated the challenge facing 2013 CCB Chair Caren Kline and her committee of 100 when she announced their goal was to raise more than $5M on December 7.
Peggy Braecklein and Dale Wigley**
Among them were the senior CCB chairs Dale Wigley (1955), who was CCB’s third chair, and Peggy Braecklein (1969).
In addition to Caren and US Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management Managing Director Bryan Diers addressing the group, Ken Hughes explained the absence of wife/1991 chair Dee and emphasized how important Crystal Charity has been to them over the years.
Salads**
Chocolate Fudge Cake**
It was then time for a fabulous seated dinner (Fennel and arugula greens with apple-toasted hazelnuts and parma ham, Honey Hill Farm Honey and citrus dressing accompanied by King Estate Pinot Gris 2010; wood-grilled Bastrop Cattle Company filet mignon, chicken-friend Maine lobster tail, pommes dauphine and grilled asparagus with Béarnaise sauce accompanied by Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2010; and the Place on Perry’s chocolate fudge cake) provided by Gil’s Elegant Catering.
Bringing The Community Together To Help Animals
Chris Watts and Jody Jones***
The weather outside was dark and threatening on Wednesday evening May 15, and someone even said a tornado warning had been issued. But up on the 20th floor Clubhouse at One Arts Plaza, about 30 people were more interested in Jody Jones’ progress report about how the Dallas Companion Animal Project has merged with the Metroplex Animal Coalition and Dallas Animal Advocates. The aim of the merger and the new 501(c)3 group that resulted: reducing from more than 19,000 the number of dogs and cats in our community that were euthanized in FY 2011-12.
While guests sipped wine and munched on fruit, nuts and cheese, they heard from Jones, manager of Dallas Animal Services, and others about such programs as The Umbrella, which consists of a variety of pet-placement support initiatives. They learned that the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page has hit 10,000 Likes and fans, up from just 1,530 in April 2012. They mulled over the latest spay-neuter statistics, and watched slides showing the transformation of the animal shelter with new graphics and bright new paint. “Tonight is a friend-raiser,” DCAP President Chris Watts told the crowd. “Believe me, the fundraising will come.”
Rebecca Poling, Susan Gregory and Elaine Munch***
After mini-talks by DCAP Treasurer Rebecca Poling and Susan Gregory, a DCAP director, volunteer Joe Pyland stood up and told Jones: “I spent my life managing large numbers of people, and I’ve seen many changes since you’ve been here.” Pyland’s compliment brought a burst of applause, and then talk turned to the coming storm. “This is not a good place to be if there’s a tornado,” warned Jocelyn White, chairman of the SPCA of Texas board of directors. “I’m an old weather girl.” The reception wisely broke up a little after that.
Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Has Kick-Off Party
A stone’s throw away, meanwhile, more than 100 guests who turned up for Family Gateway’s Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Kick-Off Party had an even more commanding view of the gathering storm from the 38th floor of Museum Tower. Kick-off party co-chairs were Courtney Edwards and Allison Edwards.
In one crowded room of the spectacular party condo, the nonprofit’s executive director, Rob Alberts, was waxing poetic about Family Gateway’s grand plans, from opening a Montessori school for homeless pre-schoolers to putting up 150 apartments for homeless families. The group’s audacious goal: ending child homelessness in Dallas by 2017.
The Celebrity Waiter Luncheon, scheduled for September 6 at the downtown Joule hotel, will aim to raise $150,000 toward that goal. Wednesday night partygoers paused briefly to hear from the luncheon co-chairs, Lindsay Jacaman and Jamie Singer, as well as from Family Gateway board chair Jill Herz (“it’s kind of a nasty night, but thanks for coming out!”) Then, soon enough, DJ Jason Esquire resumed spinning the tunes for guests including D’Andra Simmons, Shay Geyer, Holly Forsythe and Maggie Cooke Kipp. “Celebrity wrangler” Stacy Girard reported over the din that 40 celebrities will be needed for the luncheon—to be emceed by WFAA’s Ron Corning—and that quite a few celebs have yet to be locked in.
* Photos provided by Dallas CASA
** Photo credit: Jeanne Prejean
*** Photo credit: Glenn Hunter
