Where else would the Community Partners of Dallas‘ 2024 Chick Lit Luncheon patron party take place but at a real girly boutique like Kat And Noelle? And that was exactly the scene on Tuesday, March 5 on Lovers Lane. Needless to say, the racks of adorably cute dresses and looks were being perused by the likes of Tricia George, Sally Dutter, Stephanie Hardeman, Debbie Munir, Diane Hopson, Merrick Huckin, Teffy Jacobs, Cari James, Tiffany Lawson, Meredith Camp, Melissa Sherrill Martin, Heather Baker, Holly Hassmann, Rathna Gray, Heather Cosmano, Andrea Krug and Sharon Jett for what-to-wear to the annual fundraiser featuring a conversation between multi-talented Rita Wilson and NBC5’s Laura Harris at the Anatole’s Trinity Ballroom on Friday, March 22. Here’s a report from the field:
Chick Lit Luncheon Co-Chairs Cathy James and Lisa Ogle, along with Honorary Chair Christine McKenny, were joined by nearly 50 sponsors and supporters for a celebration in their honor on Tuesday, March 5, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by Kat And Noelle owner Shannon Jud, partygoers arrived and enjoyed wine and light bites while shopping the store’s beautiful spring collections, with 10% of the evening’s proceeds benefiting Community Partners of Dallas. Raffle tickets were also on sale for chances to win fabulous prizes, including a Dolce and Gabbana logo flap leather shoulder bag courtesy of Neiman Marcus; two business class round-trip tickets from Dallas to Paris with Air France; a get-away to Los Angeles with airfare from Delta Air Lines and two-night accommodations; a $2,500 Eiseman Jewels gift card; a Texas Rangers package; and a night of dinner and drinks for 10 at Pizzana Dallas.
Mid-way through the festivities, the luncheon co-chairs gathered the crowd for brief remarks. Both thanked everyone in attendance for their support of this year’s Chick Lit Luncheon, presented by Dr. Bob and Lara Tafel, which will feature actress, singer/songwriter and producer Rita Wilson. They also thanked this year’s amazing sponsors, including best-selling author and America’s leading lifestyle medicine doctor, Dr. Stacie Stephenson, who will introduce Wilson before her sit-down with NBC5’s Laura Harris. James shared that Stephenson is best-selling author of “Glow: 90 Days to Create Your Vibrant Life from Within and Vibrant: A Groundbreaking Program to Get Energized, Own Your Health,” a philanthropist and an advocate for children’s health worldwide.
President and CEO Joanna Clarke then followed to echo her gratitude to all of the many supporters of this year’s luncheon, and also thanked the evening’s Patron Party host, Kat + Noelle for their generosity. She then shared a brief story about one of the teens CPD serves, Tony, who has spent the majority of his life in foster care and has been helped by CPD many times. Recently, Tony needed something nice to wear for a very special event he was doing at his church and the first thing he asked his CPS caseworker was if he could go visit CPD’s Rainbow Room to find something new to wear, sharing that they “always make him feel special and cared for.”
Clarke continued by reminding guests that funds raised by the Chick Lit Luncheon help Tony and the 20,000 abused and neglected children served by CPD every year.
- The 18th annual Chick Lit Luncheon would not be possible without the generosity of its sponsors, which include: Presenting Sponsor – Dr. Bob and Lara Tafel;
- Best-selling author and event sponsor – Dr. Stacie Stephenson;
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding Sponsors– Robyn and Don Conlon, Sandy and Barry Moore and Tanya and Danny Rice;
- Sleepless in Seattle Sponsors – Mary Bowman Campbell, Cathy Cholakian James, and The Katy and Kyle Miller Family Foundation;
- Runaway Bride Sponsors – Delta Air Lines, Digital 3 Printing/Greg Nieberding; Betsy and Richard Eiseman/Eiseman Jewels, Friends of CPD, Leigh Anne Haugh and Katie Robbins; Rudick Construction Group; Mersina P. Stubbs, Susser Bank; Beth Thoele and Friends and Katherine Wyker;
- Mamma Mia! Sponsors – Edward and Wilhelmina Ackerman Family Foundation, Jill C Bee, Laura Braun and Helaine Blizzard, Catherine Cole Collective, Children’s Health, Stephanie and Shawn Cleveland, Betsy Cooper, Dallas Mavericks, Diamond Onions, Claire Emanuelson, Lisa Evans, Tricia M. George and Mary Martha Pickens, Jill Powell Goldberg, Cynthia Hayes, The Hopper Family, KPMG, Becky and Ron Odlozil and Kerrie and David Johnson, Bill and Lisa Ogle Foundation, Pacific Elm Properties, Talent Suite, LLC, Grant Thornton, Toyota Motor North America, Vizient, Stacey Walker and Hailey Weems;
- Floral Sponsor – Central Market;
- Valet Sponsor – Sewell; and
- Media Sponsors – PaperCity and MySweetCharity.
* Photo credit: Celeste Cass