The 411: It’s not often that party greeters are 3 feet tall with four legs, but such was the case at the kickoff for Equest’s 35th anniversary gala, where mini-horse ambassadors Cisco and Dare were available for plenty of photo opps. But it was fitting considering the cause: Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs using horses to bring hope and healing through equine assisted activities and therapies.
Guests shopped at the Ocean Point Tack Shop pop-up featuring Kingsland Equestrian apparel while eating delectable bites from Farm to Market Catering. Perhaps most important, attendees had a chance to make plans for this year’s soiree, set for Saturday, May 7, at Texas Horse Park. Expect Southern cuisine and cocktails — including the famous Bourbon & Biscuits Bar — as well as country music under the stars.
Who: Lili Kellogg, Andy Steingasser, Lezlie and Bill Noble, Kelly and Marty Turco, Allane O’Neil,Terri Sue, Jack Wensinger, Dina and Jason Arnott, Trish and Joe Judson, Carrie and Dodd Crutcher, Di Johnston, Frank Carter, Leslie Golden, Darla Ripley, Nancy Natinksy, Kelly Morrison, Lane Cates, Brad McClain, and Meghan Nylin.
Terri Sue Wensinger, Kristin Reed, Mary Hawkins, Helena Wall, Karen Smith, Lezlie Noble
Photo by Jason Janik
Terri Sue Wensinger, Kristin Reed, Mary Hawkins, Helena Wall, Karen Smith, Lezlie Noble
Texas' leading man, Matthew McConaughey, and his wife, Camila, were not only the featured speakers at New Friends New Life’s 2024 fundraising luncheon, they ended up being the event’s biggest donors. The first part was planned. The second came as a generous surprise to the Dallas nonprofit.
At the conclusion of an on-stage chat with the McConaugheys at the "Stand For Her" Luncheon on September 20, the couple announced they'd give a $100,000 matching gift to New Friends New Life. But they weren't done.
Veering off script, they asked that the house lights be brought up and conducted an impromptu "paddle raise" around the room, soliciting donations from attendees until they reached the $100,000 they would be matching personally. (Half of the amount raised, $50,000 was pledged generously by Gene Jones, wife of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.)
The McConaugheys had just gotten this idea, they said, when they'd heard backstage that NFNL was $140,000 short of their goal. Their efforts helped push the fundraising total to an astounding $1.1 million.
“Camila and Matthew McConaughey exceeded our highest hopes as keynote speakers through their humility, passion, and kindness,” said Bianca Davis, NFNL CEO, after the event. “We could not be more grateful for their support and for their unscripted call to action. In that one surreal moment, The McConaugheys reminded us that when we show up for survivors, our community shows up for us.”
Matthew and Camila McConaughey chat on stage with NBC5's Meredith Land.Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass
More than 1,200 guests gathered at the Omni Dallas Hotel on September 20 for the annual New Friends New Life benefit in support of the organization's mission to restore trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and to drive awareness of the issue.
While attendees feasted on Poached Pear Spinach Salad, Texas-Spiced BBQ Chicken, and Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake, luncheon co-chairs JoJo Fleiss and Lisa Rocchio, honorary co-chairs Robin and Norm Bagwell, NFNL CEO Bianca Davis, and NFNL chief development officer Priya Murphy underscored the organization's vital work in the community.
This year’s ProtectHER Awards were received by Southwest Airlines managing director of corporate responsibility Laura Nieto and Young Men’s Service League (YMSL)president, CEO, and founder Pam Rosener. A video then introduced attendees to the Liberty Street Garden, which not only provides income but also work experience in a healing environment for those who work on it.
But the big draw of the afternoon was "A Conversation with the McConaugheys," moderated by NBC 5’s Meredith Land. The wide-ranging Q&A covered the Austin couple's love of Texas, support of Uvalde, the work of their "just keep livin" Foundation, their bestselling books, and fervor for University of Texas Longhorns football.
Highlights of the chat:
On moving back to Texas: They made the decision jointly while sitting at a red light on a visit to see Matthew's mother outside Austin. Growing up in Brazil, in a family of farmers and ranchers, Camila said, her values matched those of Texans - namely saying, “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir."
On Matthew's bestseller Greenlights: “It’s inevitable that you are going to get red lights in your life – something that stops us in our tracks," he said. "Sometimes you need to be stopped. It’s like an intervention. The idea of the book is that all red lights do eventually turn green. Yellow lights give us a choice – do we slow down or go fast? Sometimes we look for drama where it doesn’t exist.”
On Camila's bestseller Just Try One Bite: “In the journey of my life I was forced to go back to my roots … what we cook and eat and how it’s all connected,” she said of growing up around farmers in Brazil, and adding that it’s important for children to see food gets from farm to table, a process that fosters a sense of gratitude. “The sooner people learn and understand, the sooner they take ownership of their own lives and health.”
On the shooting tragedy in Uvalde, Matthew’s hometown: He recounted the moment the couple decided they would go there in person. Their purpose was to help however needed; they ended up visiting with families and forming bonds that last today. “Families trusted us, bringing us into intimate moments,” he said. This led the McConaugheys to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and then to the creation of their Greenlight Grants Initiative to help school districts access the billions of dollars of available federal funding to create safer school environments and ensure the well-being of children.
On New Friends New Life's mission: Land highlighted a PSA about human trafficking that Matthew participated in with the Texas attorney general. Camila said that growing up in Brazil, she was made very aware of the potential danger: “When I moved here at 15, I thought I didn’t have to look over my shoulder, but now I’m having this conversation with my kids. Something really has to be done.” Matthew added, “We have to realize that everyone needs to look out for one another with a keen eye before we can depend on law enforcement. It’s right here in our backyard. It’s an ugly scar.”
On Matthew's passion for UT football: “We’re doing really well! I believe this team is still playing against how great they can be, and if they keep doing that, they are going to maintain the edge,” he said.
Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the event, were Chad Houser, Gabe Madison, Stephanie Wilcox, Jayda Batchelder, Margaret Windham, Elizabeth Berglund, Therese Rourk, Donna Weitzman, Barbara Gary, Melissa Sherrill-Martin, Kristi Sherrill-Hoyl, Hollee Hirzel, Kunthear Mam-Douglas, Mary Griggs, Regina Bruce, Sally Dutter, Noelle LeVeaux, Ryan Johnson, Karla Smith, Dawn Greiner, Lynn Dowdle, Kaylyn Murray, Jeanne Bobbitt, Linda Custard, Caren Klein, Anita Arnold, Lana Andrews, Aileen Pratt, Bridget Harris, Rachel Hornbuckle Reid, Laura Harris, Anita Arnold, Linda Custard, Jaylon Spencer, Candace Locklear, Tanya Dalton, Destine Roberts, Aaliyah Brown, Erin Sander, Dani Dillard, Mackenzie Kleinert, Tyler Kleinert, Cynammon Byrnes Allen, Felicia Burns, Gerald Turner, Gail Turner, Chris Colley, Jill Barragan, Susan Gordan, Libby Hunt, Debbie Hayhurst, Alanna Quillen, Samantha Davies, and many more patrons and supporters.
Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass
Priya Murphy, Lisa Rocchio, Camila McConaughey, Matthew McConaughey, JoJo Fleiss, and Bianca Davis at the 2024 New Friends New Life Luncheon.