2023 Crystal Charity Ball Called It A "Wrap" With "Charm" And A Full House At Au Troisième

As the 2023 Crystal Charity Ball committee was within a month of ending the year of raising more than $$6,686,131 for the 2023 beneficiaries (After-School All-Stars, Buckner Children and Family Services, Fair Park First, Family Gateway, MetroCare Services, Salvation Army of North Texas and YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas), the members didn’t just turn out for the Wrap Up Luncheon on Monday, November 13; one vet claimed it was the biggest turnout in memory. One factor was probably the location — A·T Bistro|Au Troisième in Preston Center owned by Bobby Pollette.

Another reason was the naming of the top producers in four categories — Children’s Book, Foundations, Special Gifts/Silent Auction and Underwriting. In addition to receiving the accolades, they would be presented with specially made charms. Created by Lyles DeGrazier’s Scott Polk, the little charms were made in the shape of a paint brush to commemorate this year’s theme of Masterpieces In The Making.

Felicia Powell, Margaret Elizabeth McKissack and Nancy Scripps

Kristi Francis, Wendy Messmann and Lisa Shirley

Decked out with Christmas decorations, the crowd grew to capacity including past CCB Chairs (Connie O’Neill, Christie Carter, Pam Perella and Susan Farris), new members (Cindy Booker, Stephanie Lauck, Margaret Elizabeth McKissak, Melissa Sherrill Martin, Felicia Powell and Katherine Wyker), 2024 CCB Chair Cheryl Joyner, Carol Seay, Jennifer Chandler, Charmaine Tang, Kristi Francis, Wendy Messmann, Melinda Knowles, Cordelia Boone, Paige Slate, Anne McPherson, Emilynn Wilson, Kim Hext, Di Johnston, Candace Swango, April Abney, Diana Hamilton, Nancy Scripps, Laura Downing, Paige Slates and Kay Weeks.

Elizabeth Gambrell, Heather Esping, Angie Kadesky, Mary Martha Pickens, Jennifer Dix and Amy Hegi

Before the luncheon was served, 2023 CCB Chair Angie Kadesky and committee chairs (Children’s Book Chair Jennifer Dix, Foundations Chair Elizabeth Gambrell, Special Gifts Chair Amy Hegi, Silent Auction Chair Heather Esping and Underwriting Chair Mary Martha Pickens) announced the top producers.