While the rains continued throughout North Texas on Wednesday, April 24, so did the fundraising activities. Even the fabulous mansions lining Armstrong Parkway were challenged. Not only were the manicured grounds squishy but the walkways leading from the street to the front doors were flowing. Valets with umbrellas tried to keep up with the arriving guests for the 2019 Crystal Charity Ball theme announcement party at Mary Clare Finney‘s home. One guest just opted to bypass the escort and take hold of one of the umbrellas only to find herself in need of the powder room to wash the mud off her hands.
But once arriving at the front door, guests were greeted by the evening’s Co-Chairs Heather Esping and Ashley Hunt, who were without their husbands. Seems Billy Esping was on the West Coast and Ward Hunt was on the East Coast.
One gentleman arrived at the door sans tie. He looked a bit lost as he wandered the rooms in search of someone. He ran into 2019 CCB Chair Pat McEvoy and handed her a check. While Pat thought it was unusual, she gladly accepted it. Finally, one guest approached him and asked, “Who are you looking for?” His answer was “Will Hurd.” Hardly the words had escaped his lips when he asked if the event was a fundraiser for Will. Upon learning that it wasn’t, he got his check back from Pat and headed out the door for the political get together a few doors away.
Too bad he left because he could have been part of the crowd in the family room to hear about the 2019 CCB theme. Before Pat shared the news, the evening’s underwriter Texas Capital Bank President/CEO Keith Cargill congratulated the committee for their fundraising for Dallas children’s nonprofits.
Pat then thanked the various vendors (event producer Tom Addis, Garden Gate’s Junior Villanueva, Lamberts President/CEO Paul Fields, entertainment agent Curtis Butts, Cutis Moving and Storage’s Jamie Furrat, Lawson Rentals and Event’s Cassie Lawson and the Hilton Anatole’s General Manager Robert Watson and Catering Director Roberta Robinson).
In revealing the theme, Pat admitted that Tom [Addis] had “probably been concerned that I might choose something like ‘from the Congo to Capri.'” Instead, the theme will be “South American Mosiac. an evening with touches of some of the sovereign states… primarily Argentina, Brazil and Peru.”
Now, guests better understood why Cassandra Tomassetti had created the evening’s menu to include ceviche with lime juice chill representing Peru; empanadas representing Argentina; ensalada de palmitos and coxinhas with shredded chicken and tomato sala representing Brazil; arepas, black beans, cheese and avocado representing Columbia; and Brazil’s national cocktail Caipirinha.
For more pictures of the night, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.