If the Cowboys need a backup for their team quarterbacks, they need look no farther than Anthony Kennedy Shriver. But more about that later.
There is no friendlier or happier welcome than the line-up at the annual Best Buddies Dallas Gala. This year the guests at the Saturday, November 16, fundraiser for Best Buddies Dallas at the Ritz-Carlton walked through lines of young buddy hosts into the ballroom’s lobby. Even if you didn’t know the hosts, you immediately felt like you were attending the best high school reunion.
Situated around the lobby during the cocktail party were statues. No, wait. Did one of them move? They did look pretty lifelike. . . and with good reason. Yup, it was a troupe of painted models who had more control than Spanx. They also had a bird’s-eye view of guests like Emmitt Smith (wife Pat was in Virginia), Margo and Jim Keyes, Rachel and Chris Trowbridge, Barbara and Don Daseke, Muffin Lemak, Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, JB Hayes, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Sue and Jimmy Gragg, Donnie Miller, Serita Jakes, Myrna and Bob Schlegel and Barbara and Steve Durham and Event Co-Hosts Tara and Bill Durham.
But before the guests arrived, Best Buddies Bestest Buds Jan Miller, Jeff Rich and Anthony Kennedy Shriver joined the Best Buddies including BB Ambassador Charles Calhoun for a group picture. It seemed that after every time a photo was a done deal, another BB arrived. So, another round of photos took place with smiles getting bigger each time. Ever the cheerleader, Jan said, “Everybody raise your arms!” With that arms rose and smiles and laugher increased. Then it was time to head to the party.
Missing from the scene were Honorary Co-Chairs Sheryl and Rob Lowe. Something about a shooting schedule conflict. But Rob had called Jan earlier in the day to tell her that they were there in spirit and would definitely be back for dinner with the guests who won the Kent Rathbun dinner with the Lowes in the live auction.
As Carole Murray found a safe nook near the wall next to the stage in the lobby and the statues stepped down from the pedestals, husband Scott Murray kicked off Part 1 of the live auction. Two big paintings were up for bid. But it was so crowded that one man in the back of the room stood on a chair to get a better look at the art. The bids started rolling in for the two pieces plus the additional paintings that could be done of your pet, yourself or anything.
Exhausted from all the bid activity, guests looked relieved as the doors opened just in the nick of time for dinner.
No sooner had dinner gotten underway than the stage action trumped the meal with another auction of more fabulous items. The highlights literally filled the room with song like BeBe Winans singing, with BB Ambassador Lisa Smith beautifully signing, Gladys Knight glowing in pink as she sang solo and then with BeBe. Event Co-Chair/WorldLink Founder Adil Adi singing “That’s What Friends Are For.”
But the one that had people on their feet without a note being sung was attributed to a team effort of BeBe, Emmitt and Anthony. The plan called for Anthony, who has a right arm that must be bionic, to throw 22 footballs to guests for $1,000 per ball within two minutes. To sweeten the deal, Emmitt was coaxed on stage to sign balls as they were handed to him by BeBe. Surely, the Ritz staff must have shut their eyes as balls flew through the ballroom missing the china and crystal. Miraculously, every one hit its target as men eagerly stood to catch the pigskins and hand them off to their dates/wives for safekeeping. And, by George, the trio could have thrown 22 more footballs as guests were left standing still wanting a chance to be a receiver.
Actually, the real receivers were the Best Buddies for a night of highlights and high-fives.