While more than 2,000 Junior Symphony Ball guests were in jeans and boots raising funds for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s programs at Gilley’s on Saturday, February 1, the Dallas CASA Young Professionals were all gussied up over at The Hall on Dragon to play games and dance the night away for Dallas CASA. Here’s a report from the field:
More than 400 of Dallas’ most glittering young people gathered at The Hall on Dragon Saturday, February 1, for Dallas CASA’s 5th annual CASAblanca. The evening featured casino games, a live band and a room full of guests committed to fighting child abuse. Hosted by Dallas CASA’s Young Professionals group, CASAblanca raises funds to support child victims of abuse and neglect living in foster care because it’s not safe at home.
The black tie event was chaired by Bela Cooley, Elise Nichols and Megan Sterquell and presented by The Hiduke Foundation. Men wore tuxedos with everything from cowboy boots to velvet slippers, while the women sparkled in sequins, long dangly earrings and jumpsuits. The young crowd gathered around blackjack and craps tables, enjoying spending their pseudo money to earn chances at prizes.
A silent auction featured a basketball signed by Luka Doncic and a signed Dirk Nowitzki jersey, both donated by longtime Dallas CASA supporter The Dallas Mavericks Foundation. There were also local staycations, a lake weekend, three pieces of artwork, air pods and a yellow gold necklace with diamond pave pendant donated by Susan Saffron Jewelry Boutique.
The evening’s entertainment, The Special Edition Band, hit all the right notes playing standards such as “Unforgettable,” “The Best Thing,” “Respect” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Passed appetizers included spring rolls, parmesan meatballs, fried macaroni and cheese balls and crab rangoon. Chefs created fresh chicken fried rice with shiitake mushrooms and baby boy choy served in take-out containers. The evening ended with take-home chicken in honey biscuits.
Dallas CASA Board members in attendance included Board Chair Bob Schleckser and his wife Kay Schleckser, Jonathan Bassham and his wife Christine Bassham, Beth Cholerton and her husband Ed Cholerton, Janice Davis and husband Richard Davis, Cynthia Pladziewicz, Linda Swartz with her entire family and Kenneth Wherry and his wife Allie Wherry.
Dallas CASA Young Professionals is an auxiliary support group of Dallas CASA open to young people between the ages of 21 and 40. The group raises critical funds for and awareness about Dallas CASA, which recruits, trains and supervises community volunteers to serve as advocates for children.
* Photo credit: Andy Williams ** Photo credit: James Coreas *** Photo credit: Rosanne Lewis