In stark contrast to the spring of 2021, when nary an in-person event was taking place, the 2025 spring season’s fundraisers went into way overdrive this week. Why today alone, there were at least three non-profits holding luncheons (Dallas CASA’s Cherish The Children, Junior League of Dallas’ Milestones Luncheon and Women’s Auxiliary of Children’s Plano Chapter’s Legacy Of Love), forcing philanthropists to make Solomon choices of where to munch and support.
But the slam-bang fundraising started the night before with 6 p.m. starts for the Toast For Literacy Dinner and two patron parties all taking place in different parts of North Texas. While the Equest Blue Ribbon Ball patron party got underway in the Park Cities, those fashionable Mad Hatters journeyed up to Anne and Bill Seanor’s new digs just off Forrest Lane for the patron party. Here’s a report from the field.
The minute the invitation is received revealing the Patron Party for the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon hosted and sponsored by Anne and William Seanor in their lovely Preston Hollow home, there are smiles all around.
Last night – a perfect spring evening – the patio doors were open and cool breezes welcomed guests as they were greeted with champagne, wine and passed hors d’oeuvres. Mad Hatter’s Chair Sara Friedman and Women’s Council of the Arboretum President Therese Rourk were absolutely gorgeous in their spring frocks and matching chapeaux, greeted guests as Anne, and her husband, William joined in.
Also making the rounds and thanking sponsors and underwriters were Honorary Chair Cindy Feld and husband Charlie Feld, who were joined by Mad Hatter’s judges John Clutts, Anne Stodghill and more, as the SRO crowd cruised the dessert table.
The buzz was all about the Mad Hatter’s theme, “Celebrating Spring in the South,” and if hat designs are going for the Kentucky Derby, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Round Top? Categories were listed on the poster while one of the go-to hat designers Shane Walker cruised the room. When asked about whom he is designing for, Shane did a “hush” no-can-say.
A new twist to the patron party was the live auction of items, including a golf package, artwork by Tonya Trest, tanzanite and diamond drop earrings donated by Donna Weitzman of Cottonwood Market, a beach retreat and garden party at the Arboretum.
There is still room to join in Mad Hatter’s Luncheon on Thursday, April 17, at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Visit www.wcdabg.org for more information.
* Photo credit: Wythe Portrait Studio/Rob Wythe