Despite April showers non-stopping North Texas on Wednesday, April 2, the 7th Annual Room To Grow Luncheon Co-Chairs Ashley O’Malley and Heather Winn, along with the NorthPark Center and Neiman Marcus crew, had seamlessly put Plan B into action. Instead of guests being surrounded by sculptures and the NorthPark landscaping, they were right at home with the Hammering Men and the luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Burberry in the SouthCourt on Wednesday, April 2. Here’s a report from the field:
Room to Grow Luncheon Co-Chairs Ashley O’Malley and Heather Winn welcomed nearly 290 attendees including Terra Najork, Dawn Greiner, Lindsey Doramus, Alexandra Hicks, Laura Price, Elizabeth Schramme, former Room To Grow North Texas Director Karen Michlewicz and NorthPark’s Nancy Nasher, Kristen Gibbins, Meredith Hays, Shelby Foster, Kristin Williams, Braxton Frank, Katie Harding and Lindsey Croley to the 7th Annual Room to Grow Luncheon and Fashion Presentation on Wednesday, April 2, in the South Court at NorthPark Center. The Room to Grow Luncheon and Fashion Presentation benefits the North Texas chapter of Dec My Room, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to creating transformative, healing places for children and young adults in extended hospital stays.
Although the rain outside moved the party indoors, luncheon attendees arrived looking fabulous in their spring fashions, while mingling and enjoying Madre prosecco and Lalo Tequila’s Sahara sunrise cocktail, along with delicious canapes, including “Elephant Ears” of puff pastry stuffed with pesto, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes and mini crab cakes with a remoulade sauce.
Partygoers could be seen striking a pose at the mirmir photo booth sponsored by Hästens, or placing their bids on must-have Big Board items, such as lunch for ten at the NM Café at Neiman Marcus NorthPark and a Celine handbag; a Denago Rover XL four passenger golf cart, a three-night stay for 8 at a luxury casita in San Jose Del Cabo; a Juliana LeBlanc pink sapphire ring; tickets for two to BRAVO-TV’s “Watch What Happens Live,” a Hästens King Maranga bed, an 18 karat gold paperclip chain necklace with emerald cut diamond from Bachendorf’s and more. As an extra surprise, internationally renowned magician and mentalist Anthony Dempsey “worked his magic” as he strolled through the pre-lunch reception.
Raffle tickets were also available for purchase for chances to win one of seven prizes, including a photo safari package with an all-inclusive four-night Zambian safari for two courtesy of Darryl and Jordan Davy, a raffia handbag, a Love, Ellison necklace with elephant pendant and a Saint Bernard gift card; a NorthPark Center spending spree package with a $1,000 NorthPark shopping credit, NorthPark VIP one-year valet pass and a $350 Hill House gift certificate; a luxury health and wellness package with one CO2 laser treatment at Lemmon Avenue Plastic Surgery And Laser Center, a Formula Wellness consultation, a Cos Bar beauty basket and Dry Bar and Pure GlowTan gift cards; a Dallas night out with a one-night stay for two at Hôtel Swexan, a $250 gift card to The Saint restaurant, four platinum level Dallas Stars tickets and chef’s tasting dinners at Shinsei and Lover’s Seafood And Market; a home and gems package with art by Sharon Lee Clark, a mahjong starter kit, embroidered hand towels and lunch for six hosted by Emily Huskinson and Sharon Lee Clark at RW Fine Jewelry showroom and more; a head to toe glam package with a La Vie Style House mini caftan, a pair of handcrafted CHAZYN boots, a Toteme handbag and a gift certificate to Rancher Hat Bar; and a $2,500 Eiseman Jewels NorthPark Center gift certificate and personalized concierge shopping experience.
At the appointed time, attendees took their seats at tables adorned with safari-themed linens, inspired by this year’s Celebrate Flight Award recipient Ellison Leichty’s love of elephants, and floral centerpieces by Petal And Field. The luncheon co-chairs took to the stage and thanked all for their support of the 7th Annual Room to Grow Luncheon benefiting Dec My Room, including NorthPark Center, Neiman Marcus, PaperCity and Digital3 Printing.
Patrons dined on a delicious lunch by Bread Winner’s Café and Bakery, featuring grilled chicken, plantains and jollof rice served with a garden salad – paired with Details Sauvignon Blanc courtesy of Sinegal and Sonoma Time Rosé. Dessert offered choices of mini sweets, including chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate peanut butter mousse cups, lemon tart cups, brownies and bourbon pecan bars.
Following, Dec My Room North Texas Area Director Heather Smith stepped in for Co-Founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank, whose arrival was delayed by weather, to share the mission of the organization. Founded 18 years ago in Houston, Dec My Room’s purpose is to create personalized healing places for children admitted for three weeks or longer. Today, Dec My Room works through 11 Area Chapters, which collectively serve 191 hospitals in 27 states and Washington D.C., and is consistently adding new hospital partners and pediatric patients. In North Texas, Dec My Room has provided over 700 “Room Decs” to patients in six area hospitals, including Children’s Medical Center, Dallas; Children’s Medical Center, Plano; Medical City Children’s Hospital, Dallas; Medical City Hospital, Plano; Cook Children’s Medical Center, Fort Worth and Parkland Hospital, Dallas.
Smith also thanked all in attendance for their support before recognizing this year’s award recipients. Devoted advocate of Dec My Room and past Room to Grow Luncheon presenter Kameron Westcott was recognized with the second annual Monarch Servant Heart Award given to an ardent and continued supporter of Dec My Room’s mission. Mother-daughter volunteer duo Sofia Gonzalez and Aynalie Charron were honored as this year’s Dec My Room Heart of Gold Volunteer Award recipients for their outstanding service to the organization, having “Dec’d” 27 rooms in the past year alone.
Ellison Liecthy was posthumously honored with the 2025 Celebrate Flight Award, presented each year to a patient or individual whose experience or actions epitomize Dec My Room’s mission and who is an inspiration to all Dec My Room supporters. Ellison’s mom, Julie, accepted the award on her behalf and shared Ellison’s brave fight against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which began in September 2019. Dec My Room was privileged to transform her hospital room into a safari for her 13th birthday before her passing in 2020.
Fox4’s Heather Hays facilitated the day’s paddle raise, asking attendees to consider donations of any size to support the important programs of Dec My Room.
It was then time for the much-anticipated Neiman Marcus fashion presentation with facilitators Luxury Fashion VP Jodi Kahn and Editorial Director Bruce Pask. The duo shared the must-have looks this spring for men and women, as models showcased the season’s top trends. Notable designers included, Brunello Cucinelli, Gabriela Hearst, Dries Van Noten, Akris, Jacquemus, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de La Renta, Ulla Johnson and Alexander McQueen
As the event came to a close the lucky raffle winners were announced before guests progressed to Neiman Marcus for shopping and champagne where looks from the presentation were available to shop. As a thank you, Bread Winner’s Café And Bakery provided a sweet take-away of safari-themed sugar cookies to attendees.
For more information about Dec My Room, visit www.DecMyRoom.org.
* Photo provided by Room To Grow North Texas