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MySweetToyDrive: Wilkinson Center
According to Wilkinson Center Engagement Manager Laura Ingrim,
“The holidays are meant to be a joyful time, but they are often seasons of great stress and worry for parents and families in our communities. Holidays at Wilkinson Center, presented by Central Market, is our annual toy drive and distribution. Many of Wilkinson Center’s clients are struggling to keep roofs over their heads and food in their homes, and they simply don’t have any extra for the regular holiday festivities.
“Last year, we had a mother tell us that the only thing her son asked for was a bicycle, and she had no idea how she could afford one. When we wheeled a brand new bicycle out to her car, the mother burst into tears; her son was going to have a wonderful surprise on Christmas morning, and we were able to take a little stress off of the mother. That is the kind of moment that reminds me that Holidays at Wilkinson Center is providing more than just toys—we are giving hope to families during difficult times.
“Holidays at Wilkinson Center truly spreads joy during the holiday season and supports hundreds of families on their pathways to self-sufficiency. Our goal is to collect 2,000 toys, bikes, and gift cards to distribute to 400 children ages 0 to 15 years old. Upon meeting our goal of distributing toys to 400 children, all additional funds will roll into the Family Emergency Fund to address critical needs that arise in the lives of our families.
“We hope the community will join us by purchasing items from our Amazon Charity Wish List by Monday, December 13, or by making a donation to our Family Emergency Fund. For information on collecting and donating toys in person, please contact me at [email protected] or visit the Wilkinson Center website.”
Center For BrainHealth’s Invite-Only Gathering Honored Dr. Susan Hockfield With Loads Of Branches
The Center for BrainHealth’s invitation-only gathering to present the Dr. Charles L. Branch BrainHealth Award to Dr. Susan Hockfield on Tuesday, November 2, at the Center had a grand turnout. It almost appeared to be a Branch family reunion with three generations of the late doctor’s clan in attendance. While one of the highlights of the evening was Branch family matriarch Sylvia Branch‘s “tribute” to her late husband, as well a chat between the awardee and Dr. Mark D’Esposito. Here’s a report from the field:
A who’s who of academic leaders, scientists and philanthropists came together at the Center for BrainHealth for an invitation-only event on the evening of Tuesday, November 2, to honor MIT President Emerita Dr. Susan Hockfield as the 10th recipient of the prestigious Dr. Charles L. Branch BrainHealth Award.
This brainy gathering was long-awaited, as it had originally been scheduled for March 2020 – and we all know what happened that month! To ensure Dr. Hockfield felt as safe as possible for her first trip since the pandemic began and to show her some true Texas hospitality, a BrainHealth supporter generously provided a private plane to transport her from Boston to Dallas.
Dr. Hockfield’s local connections run deep, and two of her longtime friends were special guests at her table Eugene McDermott Foundation President Mary McDermott Cook and Dallas Symphony Association President/CEO Kim Noltemy.
Also at the event were Stacey and the Honorable Dan Branch with three generations of the Branch family (Catherine Branch, Judy and Al Branch, Sylvia Branch, Charlie Branch, Sarah Branch and Daniel Branch), Robin and Eric Bennett, Jean Ann Brock, Jordan Cowman, Peggy Dear, Ann and Chuck Eisemann, Debbie Francis, Marena and Roger Gault, Carol and Don Glendenning, Debbie and Carlos Hernandez, Lyda Hill, Marissa and Michael Horne, Dan Patterson, Jennifer and Peter Roberts, Mary and Tim Rooney and UT Dallas President Richard Benson.
This was the first donor gathering at BrainHealth since February 2020, and everyone was eager to see each other again after what felt like a “lost year.” The 100 guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner prepared by Chef Darren McGrady of Eating Royally, featuring an extraordinary main dish of braised beef short ribs with chimichurri sauce, Parmesan mashed potato veloute, parsnip chips and buttered baby carrots.
The nearly 90-year-old Branch family matriarch and widow of the award’s namesake Sylvia Branch shared a touching tribute to her husband, a neurologist and humanitarian. The highlight of the evening was a fireside chat between Dr. Hockfield and Dr. Mark D’Esposito, Distinguished BrainHealth Scientist and Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at UC Berkeley, during which Dr. Hockfield shared insights about her personal journey as well as thoughts about a future that enables problem-solving and purpose-driven activities like promoting brain health.
The evening was made possible thanks to The Eugene McDermott Foundation.
* Photo credit: Jason Voinov
JUST IN: 2021 Celebrating Women To Provide Nearly $1M For Three Initiatives To Battle Breast Cancer
While a new possible COVID descendant — Omicron — has been hinting to be an unwanted holiday visitor, efforts raised in October are coming to fruition.
It seems that back in October Celebrating Women Co-Chairs Marybeth Conlon and Elizabeth Gambrell and Underwriting Co-Chairs Amy Hegi and Libby Hegi decided to present the stories of personal journey of those suffering and researching breast cancer instead of holding the annual luncheon. Two of the profiles were breast cancer survivor Cynthia Krause and emerging survivor Krystal Smallwood-Whitaker.
Just before Thanksgiving, Cynthia and Krystal came together for a big event as “Krystal proudly rang the gong to celebrate her final round of chemotherapy.”
It was also around this time that the Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation staffers amazed both themselves and volunteers that the 2021 Celebrating Women program had earned nearly $1M with still more coming in to advance the fight against breast cancer, despite the luncheon being MIA.
This feat was achieved thanks to generous individuals as well as 17-year presenting sponsor Tom Thumb and Albertsons Companies Foundation.
Thanks to these funds the following efforts will be put into place to:
- hire additional patient navigators to help serve the 9,000+ breast cancer patients Baylor Scott and White cares for annually.
- support Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation’s Gift of Life Fund that will help “provide mammograms for 170+ women who would otherwise be unable to afford this service.”
- establish the Lindalyn B. Adams Celebrating Women Endowment to support patient-centered programs such as patient navigation, genetic counseling, child life services and Baylor’s High-Risk Breast Screening Program.
It should be noted that thanks to breast cancer research and treatments, Lindalyn Adams herself was a breast cancer survivor and lived decades growing funds and awareness for developments to help countless others. Her legacy of helping others will continue on through her inspiration and this endowment.
Plans are already underway for the 2021 Celebrating Women’s leadership who are back in the trenches to have an in-person luncheon in 2022. Stay tuned for details as they develop.
* Graphic/photo provided by Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation
Partners Card Preview Event’s Leisurely Luncheon Showcased The Season’s Fashion Plates
As VIP guests arrived for the first-ever Partners Card Preview Event at Eataly’s upstairs Terra restaurant just past 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 29, they were greeted with their table number and a glass of Gradis’ciutta Sauvignon. It was the perfect way to kick off the annual Family Place fundraiser that would continue through Monday, November 8.
Not since Kitty Hawk landed at the corner of Lovers Lane and Greenville back in the 1970s have so many hanging baskets of ferns swayed in the wind.
After finding their tables, the ladies headed to the bar. Not for more wine but to fill up their plates with the Italian cheeses, fruits and slices of meat on platters that lined the bar top. Across the aisle were an army of empty glasses ready to be filled with Bastianich Refosco wine to accompany the entrée (squash and ricotta filled pasta, beppino ocelli butter and walnuts; Rosewood Wagyu flatiron, seared Brussel sprouts and pancetta; and smoked green circle chicken breast, braised cannellini beans and rosemary) to come.
The gathering could have been mistaken for a mother-daughter event with Daniella Giglio with her mom, Valerie Giglio, and sister, Nicole Stickane; The Family Place advisor Paige Flink with her mother Blue Harris; The Family Place Executive Director Mimi Sterling with her mom Michele Crume and Debbie Snell, who was serving as honorary chair for Partners Card Co-Chair/daughter Caroline Snell Wagner.
It was a touch of irony that one of the first fundraising events for former Neiman Marcus executive Mimi, who had just been on the job seven weeks, was a fashion show luncheon. But it also made perfect sense since The Family Place’s major fundraising program had provided more than $2M in the past 29 years with discount shopping at local retailers.
And, of course, the luncheon was taking place at NorthPark, since 75 of its merchants are Partner’s Card participants.
Within an hour guests were asked to take their places for the program and luncheon to get underway.
Before the servers arrived on the scene with plates of antipasti (Charred fennel, orange, Castelvetrano olive, walnuts and pecorino flore sardo; lamb leg skewers, grilled rustic bread, lemon and hatch chili; and housemade mozzarella, smoked kabocha squash, delicate squash and Texas pecans), Partners Auxiliary President Leigh Danley, Mimi and Preview Event Co-Chairs Heather McNamara and Kirsten Swanson welcomed the sold-out gathering.
The roll-out of the first course seemed to get off in slo-mo. At one point tables in one area of the restaurant were being cleared to receive the main course as others were just being served the first course.
The delayed serving in turn delayed the round-the-world fashion presentation of clothes from Billy Reid, Camilla, Isabel Marant, Maje, Sandro and Ted Baker London.
After serving wound up, the walk-about fashion presentation with commentary by NorthPark Fashion and Lifestyle Ambassador Kimberly Schlegel Whitman and “Dallas Style Icon” Jan Strimple provided a close-up look at the detailing in the clothes.
The strolling models reminded one of the old NM days when models would stroll through the Zodiac Room during luncheon tempting guests. While used to unobstructed runways, these models who had been cooling their heels in the back did a great job of winding through the obstacle course of tables and servers. At one point a guest got up to use the powder room. In returning, some others thought she was one of the models. No surprise. After all, this crowd of luncheoners was dressed to the nines, with nary a split end in sight.
For more looks of the fashions and tasties, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.
MySweetWishList: Bullock Museum
According to Texas State History Museum Foundation Trustee Lisa Cooley,
“On Wednesday, March 2, of next year, the Texas State History Museum Foundation will honor Texas legends James Dick and Dallasite Lyda Hill with the History-Making Texan Award. The award will be presented at the Foundation’s 18th Annual Texas Independence Day Dinner at the Bullock Museum in Austin. Jan Felts Bullock of Austin is the honorary chair.
“The dinner celebrates the state’s rich cultural heritage and generates support for the Bullock Museum, the nation’s premier institution on Texas history. Approximately 500 business, political and community leaders from around the state will attend the black-tie
event.
“Through the generosity of event sponsors, the evening raises support for foundation’s efforts to fund the many educational programs and special projects of the Bullock Museum, including School Tours and Distance Learning that benefit over 100,000 students annually.
“My wish, along with Dallas residents who serve on the Texas State History Museum Foundation Board of Trustees Bruce Blakemore, Diane Bumpas, Louise Griffeth, Lynn McBee, Michal Powell and Debbie Raynor, is that you will consider supporting this unique educational gem that celebrates Texas’ rich heritage.
“For more information or questions, please contact Krystle Alvarado at 512.296.8841 or visit tshmf.org.”
* Graphic provided by Bullock Museum
2021 Crystal Charity Ball Committee Celebrated Chair Leslie Diers With A Personalized Piece Of Art
After a year of overcoming the COVID ups and down, the 2021 Crystal Charity Ball committee members celebrated 2021 CCB Chair Leslie Diers' leadership on the eve of the fundraiser gala. Instead of getting all fluffed up at a fancy restaurant, the crew in slacks and flats gathered in Leslie’s suite at … Read More...
MySweetCharity Photo Gallery Alert: Partners Card Preview Event
To get the ball rolling for the 2021 Partners Card shopping spree, Partners Auxiliary President Leigh Danley had a Partners Card Preview Event at NorthPark Center’s Eataly Terra on Friday, October 29. With the help of NorthPark merchants (Billy Reid, Camilla, Isabel Marant, Maje, Sandro … Read More...
MySweetWishList: Doing The Most Good Luncheon
According to The Salvation Army of North Texas' Doing The Most Good Luncheon Co-Chairs Christie Carter and Margaret Hancock, “It is an honor to work with The Salvation Army in making a positive difference in the lives of so many in our community. We are especially grateful for community … Read More...
Crystal Charity Ball Committee Swings Into The Final Days For Saturday Night’s “Peace Love London”
There is a misconception about the Crystal Charity Ball committee. In the countdown days leading up to the area’s legendary fundraiser for Dallas County children’s charities, some folks actually think the ladies are at spas resting up for the big black-tie, sold-out hoopla at the Hilton … Read More...
MySweetToyDrive: The Salvation Army Of North Texas
According to The Salvation Army of North Texas’s Senior Director of Community Relations Christina Cavalier, “As North Texans prepare to face one of the most challenging holiday seasons, The Salvation Army of North Texas is seeking Christmas gifts for tens of thousands of angels who have not yet … Read More...
Crystal Charity Ball Silent Auction Is Online Now For Checking Out Before Bidding Starts Friday
Unlike other fundraising events, Crystal Charity does not have a live auction. Instead, the mega-fundraiser for Dallas County children's non-profits has what can only be described as the ultimate silent auction. The luxury packages are the stuff that the late Robin Leach would have definitely … Read More...