There’s no doubt that downtown Dallas is alive and thriving. Need an example? Well, Leukemia Texas is proving the point across the boards. The organization not only kicked off its big plans for its “Concert for a Cure” at NYLO just south of the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center on August 15, it’s holding the October 19 event with the Good Question Band on stage at Klyde Warren Park on the northside of the CBD.
If the event sound new, that’s because it is. LT CEO Mandy O’Neil has big plans for the event. “We would love to raise $100K from the concert.”
To do this they tapped someone as honorary chair who is known but rarely seen — Kelcy Warren (aka the father of the Klyde Warren Park namesake). How did they land the gent? According to LT Program Director Madeleine Smith, “We just happened to talk. We said, ‘We’re gonna have the event in your park. Would you be honorary chair?’ He said, ‘Yes.’”
With a crowd of 95 gathered in the NYLO lobby, the beverages flowed and the food served up non-stop. Melissa Poe, who was at a high top with Doug Carson, is on the host committee because her buddy Tiffaney Dale Hunter is the concert chair.
Melissa was a smart girl to pick that table, because it was the perfect spot to hear the plans about the event and see the raffle prizes announced.
First up was Mandy, who announced the date of the outdoor concert, explaining that LT would be one of the first nonprofits to have an event like that in KWP. As for the unpredictable North Texas weather, Mandy tossed it off with, “We know that on that day we’ll have wonderful weather.”
Next up was Tiffaney, who revealed that the concert would be free. . . but there will be VIP tickets sold, giveaways, food provided by LARK on the Park, signature cocktails and other perks. (Editor’s note: Tickets would definitely be wise to get.) Then Tiffaney added that the “event wouldn’t be possible without McGladrey.”
On cue, McGladrey office Managing Partner Roger Hendren introduced some of the other McGladrey partners in the room, adding that presenting sponsor McGladrey’s “been involved with LT for eight years.”
Regarding the concert entertainment, Roger explained that he saw the band play at Watters Creek in Allen and joked that, “Mandy has promised me they’ll do at least two Billy Idol songs.”
After the brief remarks, it was time for the drawing. Drafted to pull the winning names out of the bowl were munchkin leukemia survivors Kaitlyn Johnson and Jude Cobler with his big brother Joshua.
The first prize was $100 in NorthPark gold. And the winner was — Roger! Without hesitation, he donated it back for a re-drawing.
Another prize was $200 worth of services/merchandise from Skin Specialist of Allen. And the winner was — ironically, model/event producer Rhonda Sargent Chambers, who didn’t hesitate to snap it up, joking, “Is it a face lift?”
The final prize was a NYLO package including $50 at the restaurant and a one-night stay at the NYLO. And the winner was — Jude’s dad, Keith Cobler. If anyone deserved to win, it was a parent who helped his family through conquering leukemia. Well done!