DIFFA Spectacular

House of DIFFA does justice to 25 years of theatrical Dallas philanthropy

Devotees descended on the Omni Dallas hotel to celebrate 25 years of fabulous fundraising with DIFFA, which helps fund HIV/AIDS service organizations in North Texas. The event always calls for daring, fashion-forward attire, and attendees obliged.

With champagne or cocktail in hand, guests walked the red carpet and followed the sparkle — straight to the silent auction area where the 2015 jacket collection was on display, featuring designs from Michael Faircloth, Armani Collection, Kate Spade New York, Forty Five Ten, J. Hilburn and many more. During the reception, partiers also snapped sexy photos at the step-and-repeat and in front of a display from sponsor Celebrity Cruises.

Once greetings were properly exchanged and auction bids securely placed, the crowd headed to the ballroom for the big show. After giving opening remarks, event chair Chuck Steelman welcomed special guest Monica Pedersen to the stage. The interior designer, author and HGTV star got personal, sharing how AIDS touched her family when she lost her sister to the disease. She encouraged everyone in the room to consider their sisters and others close to them when opening their checkbooks to give during the live auction and throughout the evening.

Before the fashion spectacle began, DIFFA Style Council Ambassadors and Legends of Style took their turns on the catwalk. These representatives — including Jennifer Patterson Clark, Shayne Robinson, Ralph Randall, Jody Stein, Scott Kehn, Debra Nelson, Norma Johnson, Patrick B. Ware, Jenna Alexander, David Kiger, Simona Beal, Gillian Breidenbach, Don Gaiser, Joe Pacetti, Matrice Kirk and Rebecca Hallam — are charged with raising awareness about the nonprofit and donating their time to AIDS service organizations. As such they are crucial to DIFFA’s fundraising efforts throughout the year.

The theatrical evening culminated in a rowdy runway show that wove together fashion from Traffic Los Angeles and pop culture moments from the past. Supporters rocked out to entertainers impersonating everyone from Beyonce to House of Pain to Gwen Stefani. The fashion-heavy finale featured futuristic looks that toasted to the future.

Spotted in the well-heeled crowd: Clint Bradley, Brittanie Buchanan Oleniczak, Pat Martin, Ceron, Ron Corning, Rhonda Sargent Chambers, Katy and Lawrence Bock, Nancy Lieberman, Ese Azenabor, Cynthia Smoot, LeeAnne Locken, Melissa Rountree, Jef Tingley, Jerrett Morris, and Krystal and Tommy DeAlano.

More than 200,000 people in Texas live with HIV/AIDS. In 2014 alone, DIFFA Dallas granted $428,000 to nonprofit organizations supporting those living or affected by the disease they hope to eradicate.

House of DIFFA No. 25 runway show included performers lip syncing to songs by stars such as Gwen Stefani.

Photo by William Neal

House of DIFFA No. 25 runway show included performers lip syncing to songs by stars such as Gwen Stefani.

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Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.