Following Friday night’s TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction and the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America: Dallas, people hardly had time to grab a couple of hours of sleep. Then they had to rise and shine, have a steaming cup of latte and head off to Saturday, September 27’s demands.
DCAC League’s Bingo Luncheon
For those who were suffering from cabin fever due to power outages, there was the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center’s League 13th Annual Bingo Luncheon at Belo Mansion. Proceed from the event help “fund the Family Advocacy, Forensic Interview, Therapy and Education programs at DCAC, as well as the Clothes Closet.”
Mission Ole
Later in the evening the beautiful peeps heard the call of the Trinity River Mission’s Mission Ole. In contrast to years before, when the event took place in private homes like Laurie Sands Harrison’s, Co-Chairs LeeAnne Locken and D’Andra Simmons Lock decided to shift the party venue to One Arts Plaza. Thanks to a spectacular night with stars and strings of lights overhead, it was a perfect time to party out in the driveway.
Pegasus Ball
Over at the Fairmont, it was Stetsons and bona fide boots for the gents like Barry Corbin and rhinestones and flowing gowns for the gals like Honorary Chair Yvonne Crum and Carolyn Tillery.
The occasion was the Pegasus Ball benefiting the Autism Treatment Center with a record amount of money being raised. The black-tie gala was the final event of the three-day Roundup for Autism that started Thursday in Fort Worth. As Roundup Founder Bobby Norris explained, “Each day, there are more and more families seeking answer, searching for experienced and dedicated therapists to provide early-intervention services and life-long programs that will be there for years to come.”
Founded in 1976, “ATC just purchased its 22nd community-based group home and is currently expanding its Dallas Therapy Clinic. As a parent of an adult daughter with autism and as a board member of ATC, I am proud of our many accomplishments.”
But there was an “Oops!” that came to light at the reception. A cute chocolate Labrador puppy was on a leash being walked around the area and being introduced to guests. When contacted, organizers swore that neither the pup nor a quarter horse corralled outside the Regency Ballroom was being auctioned off. However, they did admit that the Lab had been given a “very good home” in exchange for a donation. That was the “Oops!” — that sticky Dallas ordinance that prohibits the use of animals for any form of nonprofit fundraising.
Upon learning of the ordinance, Autism Treatment Center’s Development Director Neil Massey responded, “This has been a good teaching moment for us — to do more due diligence and make sure that what we’re doing isn’t just because we’ve seen others do it, but to make sure we comply with ordinances.” He then added that they would make a donation to a rescue organization.