When the call goes out for “Kissed by an Angel,” the gals scramble to get their RSVP’s in. Not only is it restricted to female guests, they all know what the program is — shop to raise funds for The Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids with Cancer.
Thursday with the ladies were in stellar form for spending event chair Tracey Shuey just knew she had her work cut out, but she also knew the right place to have the party. Held at Kelly and Mark Bunting‘s home, it was just a question of whether the home would be big enough to accommodate the expected 270. Ah, veterans of past Bunting parties know that there are multiple levels underground for dining, sipping fine wine and partying. And with the evening weather being just so perfect, the patio doors were opened allowing the breeze to carry the marvelous scents of honorary chair Niven Morgan‘s products through the air.
With his products from Stanley Korshak (bath, body and scented home products) filling the dining room, guests like Communities Partners of Dallas’ Paige McDaniel had a hard time deciding on purchases.
BTW, Niven has been part of the annual event for nine years and sees no stopping. He recently orchestrated a seated dinner for 108 at Dee and Charles Wyly‘s home and raised more than $100,000 for the Dabney Foundation. Niven even managed to get sponsors like Belvedere Vodka, Dom Perignon, Central Market, Grane Hall and Pogo’s.
Another male at the party was former Dallas Mavericks/leukemia survivor Ray Johnston with his band. Ray, like many of the guests, had a busy schedule. The next day he was scheduled to model in the Children’s Cancer Fund fashion show.
In the kitchen Cassandra’s staff was assisted by male-volunteer-servers (i.e. husbands and boyfriends of guests) in blue jeans and whiter-than-white shirts.
The Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids with Cancer was created in 1995 when Shelby and Scott Dabney lost their son, Clayton, to cancer. Realizing the emotional and financial stresses of other families going through similar ordeals, the established the “nonprofit with a desire to provide the financial and emotional support that many parents need when faced with the terminal cancer diagnosis of a child. These gifts allow families to spend precious time together and simply be there with their children at the end of life. The Foundation has helped more than 1,600 families throughout the country and has distributed more than $3 million gifts, wishes and financial assistance.”