On the eve of Valentine’s Day, the Aware crowd strolled and shopped the Highland Park Village merchants to fundraise. It made so much sense for the ladies to find the right frocks to wear for the upcoming Aware Affair‘s Celebrate The Moments. Just past 7 p.m., Aware President Sharon Ballew told details of the event and offered the opportunity for guests to have Aware Affair Co-Chairs Sarah B. Smith to sign her book “Broken Beauty” that deals with her family’s struggle with the disease. Here’s a report from the field:
Just a bit of chill in the air made for the perfect progressive shopping experience at Highland Park Village as three of its most popular shops stayed open late into the evening to benefit Aware Affair’s 2019 Celebrate The Moments’ “Blooms of Hope” friends and supporters.
Aware Affair Co-Chairs Ginny Bond Fein and Sarah B. Smith along with Aware President Sharon Ballew were joined by a very fashionable crowd as they sipped champagne, delighted in Sprinkles Cupcakes and shopped just in time for Valentine’s Day. The experience included shopping at Madison, a beautiful store filled with gorgeous gifts, unique finds and luxurious home accessories, and Theory where more than just a few pairs of fabulous shoes and stylish ensembles were snapped up. Party-goers ended their buying sojourn at Alice and Olivia by Stacey Bendet, a boutique of expressive personal style collections that juxtapose the whimsical and flirty with the sexy and sophisticated where Ray Hickingbotham from Roxor Artisan Gin poured Roxor’s Blooming Gin & Tonic topped with a hibiscus bloom and more goodies were served.
Energy filled the room as Sharon welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone for joining in the party and showing their support of the entire shopping experience and Aware Affair. Ginny and Sarah thanked sponsors, chatted with friends, and gave a special reminder to everyone to join in Aware Affair’s Celebrate the Moments’ “Blooms of Hope” on Friday, April 5, at Sixty Five Hundred.
They announced honorees Stacey Jones Angel as the Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership Award honoree and Honoring in Love: Rebecca “Beauty” Bearden from her family: David M. Bearden, Sr., David M. Bearden, Jr., Sarah Bearden Smith and Gabriel English Bearden, #beautyinalzheimers. Honorary co-chairs are Ellen Terry with her daughter Amy Terry Kriegel and son Todd Terry. Honorary Celebrity Chair is Harry Benson, internationally renowned photojournalist. Honorary co-chairs emeritus are Kim and David McDavid Jr.
Sarah also signed copies of her new book, “Broken Beauty – Piecing Together Lives Shattered by Early-Onset Alzheimer’s,” a heartfelt memoir which takes the reader on her and her family’s journey through her mother’s early onset Alzheimer’s. The sole focus of the book is not on death, but on a family that has taken a firm hold of life and celebrates victory over tragedy. It is #1 new release in Christian Faith and Aging Parents and Eldercare and Amazon bestseller in Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Lounge 31 set an especially luxe scene upstairs as everyone joined in celebrating Sarah’s birthday with Sprinkles Cupcakes and champagne. A perfect ending to a perfect evening!
Aware Affair will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by a three-course dinner. Guests will also enjoy special feature presentations, a spirited live auction, and dancing with music spanning the decades. The attire is Shades of Spring. No tie required. A fabulous and fun evening!
Individual tickets begin at $300. Host couple tickets begin at $1,000. Sponsorships and underwriting begins at $5,000. For tickets and more information please visit the website http://www.awaredallas.org The Dallas Foundation, a 501(c)(3) publicly supported charity, is the fiscal sponsor of Aware.
Beneficiaries/Grant Recipients: Texas Winds Musical Outreach, Juliette Fowler Communities, C. C. Young, Dallas Museum of Art, The Senior Source, Center for Brain Health, Dallas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Jewish Family Service, Center for Vital Longevity and Baylor Healthcare System.
* Photo credit: Dana Driensky ** Graphic provided by Aware