Another outdoor gathering on the evening of Wednesday, September 22, that lucked out when it came to perfect weather conditions was the SPCA of Texas‘ patron party at Mimi and Bill Vanderstraaten‘s home. While four-legged friends were taking the night off, two-legged best friends of the animals were getting charged up for the next day’s North Texas Giving Day (that ended up providing more than $351K) and the SPCA’s Fur Ball on Saturday, October 2. Here’s a report from the field:
In the golden glow of the gorgeous evening of Wednesday, September 22, guests of the SPCA of Texas gathered at the stunning home of Mimi and Bill Vanderstraaten to give thanks to patrons and sponsors of the upcoming Fur Ball gala on Saturday, October 2, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Guests agreed that the temperature couldn’t be more perfect as they mingled in the lavish backyard, enjoyed delicious morsels like parmesan crisps with burrata cheese and tomato thanks to Preston Hollow Catering and sipped on the signature drink of the evening, the Greyhound, made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka. DJ Andy Austin provided a mellow yet upbeat soundtrack for the evening.
As guests like Brian Curtis, Lynn and Peter Dauterman, Don Gaiser, Giana DePaul, Shelby Fuqua, Andrea Alcorn, C’mone and Nicholas Wingo, Pat Villareal and Tom Leatherbury, Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Gus Hinojosa, Cindy and Don Lindsley, Jennifer Lindsley, Paul Brown, Mary and Arnold Spencer, Eric Broughton, Leslie Tipping, Jonathan Kelly, Keith Braley, Cecily Bolding, Megan Steinbach, Lexi Holt and Daniella Giglio mingled in the fresh air, SPCA of Texas President/CEO Karen Froehlich thanked the hosts as well as the evening sponsor Northern Trust. She then thanked the Fur Ball Co-Chairs Hiren and Dhruva Patel, Auction Co-Chairs Amber and Anthony Sims and Host Committee Chair Rebecca Marabito. Fur Ball Co-Chairs Hiren and Dhruva Patel gushed about the importance of supporting the SPCA of Texas’ Fur Ball and Cecily Bolding of Northern Trust expressed appreciation of partnering with the SPCA of Texas. SPCA of Texas VP of Development Amanda Rainey got the group excited to support the organization on the next day’s North Texas Giving Day.
Hiren and Dhruva then rallied the crowd to open up their wallets for a great cause. Three exclusive items were made available via silent auction, and guests put in their bids for the must-have items, including a trip for two to Dubai, a puppy play date and the ability to name a shelter pet, and a photoshoot to include the winner’s pet on the cover of the SPCA of Texas’ official 2022 wall calendar. After everyone had the chance to put in their bids, winners Vince Hrenak (Dubai), Jonathan Kelly (Puppy Play Date and Naming) and Kim Morris (Calendar) were announced.
* Photo credit: Thomas Garza