For the past three years, Ben Siegel and his Lonestar Charity Two-Step have staked out the Saturday after Thanksgiving to party it up with a two-fold goal — 1) “to engage collegiate students in Dallas philanthropy” and 2) “to channel event proceeds to worthy, educational non-profits, which nurture, educate, and expand opportunities that transform the lives in Dallas’ youth.” Once again this young fundraiser provided funding for a area nonprofit with loads of young people. Here’s a report from the field:
Lonestar Charity Co-Founder Ben Siegel, with Event Chair Caroline Oden, welcomed nearly 250 partygoers to Gilley’s Dallas for the third annual Lonestar Charity Two-Step on Saturday, November 26.
Partygoers including Eliza Klein, Ryan and Allie Romo, Carla Calabrese, Ava Grob, Dawn and Will Budner, Sarah Starr, Cody Patterson, Reagan Loftus, Sarah Stukalin, Clemie and Brant Bernet, MacKenzie Cohoe, John Hand, Georgia Zogg, Caroline Wilson, Tilley Neuhoff, Olivia Whittaker and Tilley Neuhoff arrived and mingled while enjoying cocktails and an hors d’oeuvres buffet including chicken flautas, bacon and jalapeno mac and cheese shooters, meatball sliders, chicken bruschetta bowl and Steel City Pops popsicles for dessert. The casino gaming tables were the place to be with attendees placing their bets for chances to win gift cards to Bistro 31 and Mr. Mesero restaurants.
As the party got underway, Highland Park grad and Nashville singer/songwriter Chap Bernet took the stage, delighting the crowd with an hour-long performance, including a duet with his sister Daisy Bernet.
Following his performance, Ben and Caroline welcomed attendees and sponsors and thanked them for their support of Lonestar Charity Two-Step that encourages philanthropy in college students. They announced that this year’s fundraiser will benefit Vogel Alcove and will be used to continue to provide daily early educational, developmental and therapeutic programming and care for the 200 of Dallas’ youngest victims of poverty.
Auctioneer Louis Murad then got the auction underway, starting with a fun game of “Heads or Tails” with the winner receiving a new Apple TV, and the runner-up receiving NorthPark gold. The live auction followed with bidding on luxury items including Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott autographed jersey, 4 Dallas Stars tickets with Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin autographed jersey, an Argentina dove hunt and an oval shaped diamond ring with .5 carat brilliant cut round diamonds courtesy of deBoulle.
The Emerald City Band, one of Dallas’ favorite dance bands, then hit the stage performing top-40 hits that kept the crowd on the dance floor the rest of the night. As the evening came to a close each patron received a commemorative t-shirt as a thank you for their support.
* Photo credit: Celeste Smith
Dawn Budner says
So proud of Ben Siegel for making a difference in our community! He is an outstanding young man whose Mother taught him how to throw a great party! Looking forward to next year!