With just enough of a chill in the air, the night of Friday, November 10, was perfect for boots, colorful shawls and leather jackets. And over at the Dallas Arboretum the Wilkinson Center‘s inaugural Pantry In the Park guests like Liz Lamberson, Laurie Darlak and Debbie Gilmore were warmed by a humongous, glowing “Pantry In The Park”.
Inside the Ginsburg Family Plaza, the trees sparkling with lights also provided for a picture-perfect opportunity for some like Lola and Todd Lott, Beth Fenton, Lynn Fisher, Katie and Skip Skipworth, and Julie and Paul Hartman.
And there were still more photo opps provided inside Rosine Hall for guests like Nelda Pickens, Janice Pinyan, Mila Moros, Chela Moros Cooley, Carlin and Charles Morris and Wilkinson Center Executive Director Anne Reeder Corley and Paul Corley Jr. as they grazed around the food stations, sampled the grown-up beverages and checked out the silent auction goodies. Here’s a report from the field:
Wilkinson Center, a nonprofit agency transforming the lives of Dallas families by providing pathways to success with dignity and respect, hosted its new fall fundraiser, Pantry in the Park, presented by Herbalife Nutrition Foundation, on Friday, November 10, at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Partygoers arrived and were greeted by an illuminated, oversized “Pantry in the Park,” which provided the perfect spot for photos and selfies. Nearby, an outdoor reception for VIP ticket holders and sponsors included a special tequila tasting courtesy of Tequila Komos.
Inside Rosine Hall, DJ Deven provided the vibe as attendees mingled and enjoyed cocktails, including specialty cocktail Rosa Paloma, while placing their bids on one-of-a-kind items and packages in the silent auction. Raffle tickets were also for sale for a chance to win a week-long getaway to Casa Chohom in Playa del Carmen plus 150,000 American Airlines miles.
Delicious food stations featured a stir fry station with choice of marinated chicken and beef strips or fried tofu; whipped sweet potatoes, burnt brisket ends and apple slaw served in mini Mason jars; and a taco bar with cilantro and lime pulled jackfruit or chicken ranchero made with homemade corn and flour tortillas. Dessert was not forgotten with a sweet mini Mason station offering choice of caramelized apple, caramel and cinnamon drizzle chocolate mousse, raspberry drizzle hazelnut tuille or candied hazelnut Texas pecan pie berry trifle. A perfectly placed hot coco and coffee station was nearby with gourmet toppings, such as rock candy, peppermint, chocolate shavings and more.
Instead of a formal program, mission moments were woven throughout the venue in support of the work Wilkinson Center is doing in the community. Attendees could be found posing for photos in front of a backdrop of pallets of macaroni and cheese and peanut butter – two of the most in-demand food items at Wilkinson Center’s Food Pantry, along with letter-writing station for notes of encouragement to the organization’s adult education students.
As the evening came to a close, the raffle winner was announced and attendees were gifted a homemade loaf of bread courtesy of Signature Baking Company as a thank you.
The first annual Pantry in the Park would not have been possible without this year’s sponsors:
- Presenting – Herbalife Nutrition Foundation,
- Hunger Hero – Lola and Todd Lott,
- VIP Area Sponsor – Texas Mutual,
- Photobooth Sponsor – Veritex Bank,
- Bar Sponsors – Debra Millet Gilmore/Millet Offset and Sandy’s Vintage Clothing/Sandra Pomeroy,
- Friends of Wilkinson Center – Frederiksen and Frederiksen, Lynn Jacobs, Leah and Rick Margerison, Nelda Cain Pickens, Marian Richmond, Sliter’s Glory Acres and SHM Architects.
For more information visit wilkinsoncenter.org.
* Photo credit: Nate Rehlander
Anne Reeder Corley says
Thanks so much, Jeanne!
XO,
Anne