What happens when you show up with invitation in hand for an event and nobody knows what you’re talking about? Well, that’s what happened to MySweetCharity Thursday, March 31, at 5:30 p.m. at Northwood Country Club.
The invite was for “the official Junior Symphony Ball Check Presentation Reception” with a note that the check had “our record-breaking fundraising numbers.” All the details were there including guests like DSO League President Venise Stuart, Volunteer Services Director Allison Brodnax, Dallas Symphony Association President/CEO Kim Noltemy and the area high school co-chairs. Why the email even included a photo of the adorable co-chairs who had headed up the Junior Symphony Ball at Gilley’s on Saturday, January 29.
And as most folks know if there is one event that MSC will show up for, it’s a check presentation. But on this night it was going to be a real challenge with three others taking place. Still MSC battled…okay, maybe it was trudged through the drive-home traffic to make it to the presentation on time.
Entering the club, it seemed rather quiet. There was no one there except the more than accommodating Northwood staff who offered help.
“Are you sure that it was taking place at Northwood because we don’t have it listed?” All they had down on the schedule for the evening was the “Click” event. The MSC staffer cringed. Had she experienced a senior moment? Like a child turning in their homework at the last minute, she handed the paper email containing all the information to the staff.
While the staff checked off every detail even the year, the MSC staffer envisioned the Northwood folks calmly trying to explain that she has missed a detail like the year. Had she been a year too early or late?
To her relief that wasn’t the case. After reading and re-reading the missive, the Northwood staff looked mystified. Yes, indeed, there were supposed to be cute youngsters, proud parents, VIP types and a big old check somewhere in the area. But instead it was just three staffers, golfers and MSC.
Still it wasn’t all a loss. As MSC headed out the door at 5:45 and onto the next event, the day was beautiful as were the Northwood golf course with happy golfers. And somewhere the Dallas Symphony Orchestra was receiving a big check.
Perhaps April Fools came a day early?
UPDATE: Friday morning at 10:16 a.m. volunteer Leah Haberer sent word that the time of the event had changed to 6 p.m. without notifying MSC. Luckily, the presentation took place with Co-Chairs James Click, Ava Haberer, Cade Jordan, Nicholas Koch, Peyton Plumlee, Anne Rubi and Caroline Syler handing over a healthy $446,000 check to Venise and Kim.
* Photo provided by Junior Symphony Ball