Despite the tradition of fundraising powering down in December, that theory was hard to prove on Thursday, December 5.
Crystal Charity Ball Prep Lunch
With pony tails, jeans and boots, the Crystal Charity Ball leaders were prepping the Anatole for the annual mega-fundraiser for kids’ charities just two days away. Whether it was organizing the goodies for the silent auction, putting the finishing touches on the favors or just schlepping carts of “stuff” around, the 100 gals were hard at work to create an event that would provide more than $6.3 M for 11 nonprofits.
However, even the hardest working had to take a break along with the professionals like event producer Tom Addis, photographer James French and the Lamberts’ crew for a Mexican lunch courtesy of Misero in the Anatole’s Wedgwood Room thanks to CCB member Ann Dyer‘s son, Trey Dyer.
As an added surprised, Trey arranged for a mariachi trio to play until CCB Chair Michal Powell took charge of the program.
First she played a Texas trivia quiz with questions like, “What is the largest city in Texas?” and “What are the six flags that have flown over Texas” and “What is the one word that had changed in the state song (‘Texas My Texas’)?”
Then Michal read a poem to her committee a la “The Night before Christmas.” Without taking count, it seemed that most of the 100 committee members were mentioned.
After a standing ovation, the commitee got back to work.
St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange
After months of being elsewhere, the legendary St. Michael’s Women’s Exchange was back in its original spot in Highland Park Village and just in time for the holidays!
To celebrate the return with far more than a new coat of paint, it had an official re-opening party with Debbie Shuey, Ann Geddes and Lynne Burkhart greeting folks at the door.
And while the unique boutique has really had a total new look with bright color and lighting, the St. Michael’s magic was still found on the shelves and in the faces of the volunteers and friends like Debbie Cowden, Judy Russell, Carolyn Fisher and Katharine Felder, who handle everything from buying the merchandise to “manning” the cash registers.
Sure, there were the silver goodies that are perfect wedding gifts, to adorable kids’ stuff and Michael Aram tableware. But the hottest item was the S’well bottles that were flying off the shelves.
While the zebra pattern ones were quite crowd pleasing, the insiders whispered that the silver and gold ones in the front of the shop were the season sweethearts.
Proceeds from the store go to the outreach programs of St. Michael and All Angel’s like Alley’s House, Attitudes and Attire, ChildCareGroup, Dallas CASA, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center Dwell With Dignity, Family compass, Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support, Jonathan’s Place, New Friends New Life, North Texas Food Bank, Rainbow Days, The Family Place, The Senior Source, The Stewpot, Turtle Creek Recovery Center, VMLC and Wilkinson Center to name just a few.
KidneyTexas Check Presentation
And speaking of sweethearts, Drs. Susan Watts and Greg Kozielec hosted the check presentation by KidneyTexas to the four beneficiaries: Parkland Health and Hospital Foundation, Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Camp Reynal and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
The foursome was reportedly dividing up $254,000 that had been raised from the KidneyTexas’ The Runway Report that had been co-chaired by Donna Arp Weitzman and Mary Lee Cox in September at Brook Hollow.
While Donna was unable to make the presentation, Mary Lee and daughter/KidneyTexas President Therese Rourk were on hand to dole out the envelopes in the living room.
Following the check presentation, incoming KidneyTexas President AB Aston presented Therese with a silver box from Neiman’s that contained an engraved crystal vase.
As for the 2016 KidneyTexas Runway Report, adorable McKamy Tiner, who is the youngest living donor of a kidney, will be co-chairing the 2016 Runway Report.