Folks south of LBJ just don’t realize how much fun the folks on the other side of 635 have. A simply perfect example is the annual Yellow and Black Tie Gala benefiting Methodist Richardson Cancer Center. This year’s gathering of 500 at the Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel not only raised the bar on partying but it also broke a fundraising record with a projected $325,000.
In addition to the silent auction, the food and festivities, they had Gary Cogill as the emcee and you just know good times are going to take place when the former WFAA-er is in charge. Gary reached new heights especially when it came to the live auction item marked “A Royal Dinner Party.” The package included a three-course dinner of royal favorites for 10 guests prepared by Gary and Chef Darren McGrady (pictured left with Gary Cogill). (If you don’t know Darren, here’s the poop: He used to be the Royal Chef for Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth and is now the chef for local royals Dee and Charles Wyly.) The bidding got so hot and heavy with Gary and Darren at the podium that the boys sold the dinner twice.
Still another fund raiser element was the raffle of tickets to the upcoming Super Bowl XLV. With Super Bowl Host Committee Chair Roger Staubach (pictured left with, from the left, Marianne Staubach and Judy and Max Martin) in the audience with wife Marianne, the drawing was held at the very end of the evening. However, Frank Taylor, who won the raffle, didn’t hear his name called and didn’t realize his good fortune until a friend called him at home to congratulate him.
But the night was not all laughs and bidding. The Methodist Richardson Cancer Center has a very special meaning for many who attend the gala presented by Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation and Fujitsu. For instance — this year’s Honorary Chairs Pat Slagel and her husband Richardson Mayor Gary Slagel (pictured right with Pat Slagel) who lost their daughter in 2001 to breast cancer. From the podium Pat told the crowd, “My heart goes out to all of you.”
(Photos provided by Methodist Richardson Medical Center)