2020 La Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas Co-Chairs Mary Deaver and Fran Matise had spent the past two years working on the annual fundraiser. That was no different than any of their predecessors— a year to prepare plans and a year to execute. The difference was the epic pandemic hit. But the two blondes, who had bravely looked so hopeful in the early days of the 2020 pandemic, weren’t about to let something called COVID-19 rain on their parade.
Time and time again last year they adjusted the events leading up to the traditionally held summer presentation. Eventually they settled for the lead-up events and the big show to be held this past June, carefully choreographed not to interfere with the 2021 activities. They weren’t going to let down the families who had funded and looked forward to the festivities, nor the beneficiaries that were more than ever in need of the funds.
But despite the hiccups, they topped their “proposed” funds and provided more than their $200,000 goal that included:
- Boys and Girls Clubs (proposed $750 and awarded $2,000),
- CARE Dallas (proposed $2,500 and awarded $9,500),
- The Center for Mental Health (proposed $7,000 and awarded $20,000),
- Connecting Point of Park Cities (proposed $15,000 and awarded $18,000),
- Dallas Children’s Theater (proposed $500 and awarded $1,000),
- The Elisa Project (proposed $3,000 and awarded $13,000),
- Friends of the Highland Park Library (proposed $500 and awarded $2,600),
- Friends of the University Park Public Library (proposed $9,000 and awarded $26,250),
- Highland Park Education Foundation (proposed $120,000 and awarded $120,000),
- HP Arts, Highland Park Literary Festival (proposed $35,880 and awarded $52,000),
- HP Litfest (proposed $8,000 and awarded $20,000)
- HPHS Community Service Council (proposed $1,000 and awarded $1,000),
- HPHS Student Emergency Fund (proposed $2,500 and awarded $2,500),
- HPHS Counseling and Student Council (proposed $3,170 and awarded $3,500),
- HPHS Youth and Government/Moody Family YMCA (proposed $750 and awarded $3,500),
- HPHS Science and Tech Festival (proposed $3,450 and awarded $5,000) and
- Park Cities Heritage House at Dallas Heritage Village(proposed $1,000 and awarded $1,000).
But Mary and Fran weren’t going to stop there.
Last night at Highland Park Independent School District’s new Multi-Use Building, the pair revealed that in addition to providing more than the promised funding, they had been able to plant the seeds to help future generations — a legacy fund.
Now, most folks might have thought Mary and Fran would reveal seed money in the four figures. But, oh, no!
Mary reported, “We were finally able to complete our 35th Anniversary events over the summer. We are thrilled to be back here today to make another gift from the additional funds raised. These funds are from our very generous La Fiesta families, friends, corporate sponsors and community individuals who so generously supported our efforts and believe in our mission. And, the events that helped raise the funds would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers and the leadership of the La Fiesta board.”

To the delight and surprise of the crowd including 2022 La Fiesta President Elizabeth Gambrell, 2020-2921 Mad For Plaid Campaign Co-Chairs Michael Denton and Peter Hegi, Highland Park Executive Director Lauren Holloway and Bank of Texas’ Exec Bob White, Fran revealed, “Today, this gift from La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas will establish the ‘La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas Legacy Fund,’ a new type of endowed fund in Highland Park Education Foundation’s Tartan Endowment. Legacy Funds are unrestricted, allowing them to be utilized to meet the most pressing needs of Highland Park Independent School District (HPISD). This is one of the first Legacy Funds to be established. We are presenting this ‘check’ for $100,000 to the Foundation for the fund. We hope this gift will inspire others to join us in our investment in the future!”



Still amazed at the contributions of the La Fiesta support, HPISD Superintendent Dr. Tom Trigg recalled his first encounter with La Fiesta seven years ago, when he became superintendent. He arrived at the check presentation with his wife, Julie Trigg, not quite sure of what to expect. He admitted that he was rather in awe as the La Fiesta team handed out checks amounting to more than $100,000.
Since its inception in 1986, La Fiesta had provided more than $9.5M to area nonprofits.