Unfortunately, MySweetCharity’s elves have been burning the rubber soles off trying to keep up with all the fundraising about town. Thursday April 4 proved simply too much, so the elves had to rely on a “recap” from the field on one event. We’ll try not to let that happen again.
Dallas International Film Festival
Talk was about the father/son of Rob Allyn and Conor Allyn, who wrote and produced “Java Heat.” Conor also directed the film starring Mickey Rourke.
While waiting for them and the rest of the Dallas International Film Festival’s opening night VIP’s to stroll the Mary Kay pink carpet at the new LOOK, the media took their places on the other side of the cord shivering. One vet admitted that in the past, “The silks were great. Today they were under cover.” Pity the poor things who wore shorts and silk skirts and sleeveless tops. They were easy to spot. Their skin had a tinge of blue.
But that wasn’t the case for Dallas Film Society’s Lee Papert in his Texas flag shirt, blazer and warm smile.
Lynn and Allan McBee were early arrivals for the carpet presentation. In addition to being DFS chair, Lynn was also one of the Legends at the Visiting Nurse Association at the Fairmont. [More about that later.]
BTW, there were some touches of anxiety earlier in the day. Evidently the fire marshal just barely gave his stamp of approval for LOOK in time for the 100 Paul L. Dunbar Elementary fourth and fifth graders and Billy E. Dade Middle School sixth, seventh and eighth graders to be treated to the carpet walk, celebrity treatment and learn about animation from JIMMY NEUTRON animator Aaron Werntz. It was all arranged through the Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation, the DFS, the Larry Hagman Foundation and Frazier Revitalization.
Speaking of Arthur Benjamin, the chatter along the media line was that he and Larry Hagman Foundation President Lisa Blue Baron had really hit it off in arranging the kiddo gathering. Good deeds can do that.
Visiting Nurse Association
A crowd of 440 people gathered at the Fairmont Hotel Thursday for the Legends & Leaders dinner, benefiting the Visiting Nurse Association. According to Co-chairs Lori Whitlow and
Jay Oppenheimer, the first-time event exceeded its $500,000 fundraising goal by a whopping $100,000, giving the VNA a handsome sum for its hospice care, Meals on Wheels and private care programs.
No wonder it was such a success. Guests at the unique dinner were able to choose to sit with more than 60 Dallas leaders from fields including the arts, business, civic, education and food worlds. Among the legends and leaders were Mayor Mike Rawlings, Lynn McBee, Dr. Kern Wildenthal, Keith Cerny, Richard Fisher, Bobby Lyle and Tracie and Kent Rathbun. Honorary Co-chairs were sisters Suzanne Simmons Bartolucci, Peggy Simmons Dear and Betty Simmons Regard.
Crystal Charity Ball
The 2012 Crystal Charity Ball committee handed out mega checks at Nick and Sam’s grill on Preston Road. It was supposed to start at 6:30 p.m., and did! But what usually takes 15 minutes to a half hour to dole out the dough only took seconds, it seemed like, to distribute $4.7M.
Of all the smiles being worn, those belonging to the Arboretum’s Mary Brinegar, Michal Powell and Brian Shivers seemed the biggest. While they hadn’t been on the 2012 beneficiary list, the 2012 CCB team had raised more than planned and provided the Arboretum’s Children’s Garden with a nice surprise of $814,276 as part of its 2012 Beneficiary Distribution.
2012 CCB Chair Aileen Pratt not only looked delighted over the amount raised on her watch, she was also sporting that glow of, “My job is done. Now I can relax.”
2014 CCB Chair Robyn Conlon was flashing grand baby photos of her first grandest daughter, Quinn. She just may need a separate iPhone to store all of Quinn’s photos.
Women of Tocqueville
Got this recap of the evening sent in from the field.
“It was a busy night at the Dior Exhibition, as some of the most powerful – and generous women in Dallas – convened for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Women of Tocqueville gathered.
“Shay Geyer mingled with Debra Brennan Tag and Michelle Brennan Hall, sharing her excitement for the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon; while Tiffany Divis shared with Margaret Reid her upcoming plans for Equest.
“Weil Gotshal & Manges partners and best pals Yvette Ostalaza, Penny Reid and Angela Fontana eyed the exhibition, drooling over an iconic cinched-waist couture dress.
“United Way of Metropolitan Dallas CEO Jennifer Sampson, wearing her trademark high heels (which is impressive given her natural height) welcomed Deb Sorelle, Robbi Luxbacher, Dena Miller, Anelise Sacks, Cecily Gooch, Deb Gibbins, Debra Brennan Tagg, Katie Rose, Kristy Faus, Erin England, Sherrie Tawwater, Dipti Vachani, Cece Lia Smith, Patricia Villareal, Deanna Luxbacher and other social swells.”
* Photos provided by Visiting
Nurse Association
** Photo provided by Women
of Tocqueville
Shay Geyer says
Wow! So many great events to cover. It sounds like you had quite a busy week Jeanne! The Women of Tocqueville event at Dior was fantastic. I met so many dynamic women and we all swooned over the haute couture by Dior! It was a great night!