Giddyup, Cowboy
Rhinestone cowpokes get back in the saddle for Dallas' Resource Center
- LeeAnne Locken, Steve KemblePhoto by Shana Anderson
- Shane Morgan, Ethan SkinnerPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Eric D. Johnson, Dr. Mark Parker, Ted Kincaid, Steve Atkinson, Shelly Skeen, Resource Center CEO Cece CoxPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Callie Butcher, Nadia Haghighatian, Evren YurchakPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Jimmy O’ReillyPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Caroline Hofmann, Laura LongwellPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Jack Pettit, Felicia Miller, Lee BorchertPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Michael Kaufman, Scot Presley, Steven Rayl, Durward WatsonPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Michael Ruiz, Paul Sims, Chad SvenssonPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Mike HopwoodPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Shane Allen, Jonathan Williamson, Zachariah Allen, Brittany LeePhoto by Shana Anderson
- Tom Bakewell, Janet HunterPhoto by Shana Anderson
- Herb Weichsel, Kate Newman, James A. Jones, Keith Newman, Philip ClemmonsPhoto by Shana Anderson
After a two-year in-person hiatus due to COVID, the Resource Center invited its supporters to get "back in the saddle" for the 24th year of its popular Toast to Life fundraising gala.
Vintage Western glam was the theme, and guests came dressed in their fringed, feathered, and rhinestoned best — most in boots, natch — to The Empire Room for an evening of eating, drinking, bidding, and line-dancing.
Co-chaired by Lacey Brutschy and Michael Buss, presented by ASP Cares Pharmacy, and hosted by Steve Kemble, "America's sassiest lifestyle guru," the party also featured drag saloon girls and a mechanical bull to help set the scene.
The Breckenridge Band crooned Brooks & Dunn hits before DJ Blake Ward took over, but not before a breathtaking live auction for some amazing vacations.
The silent auction was loaded as well, with plenty of original art, jewelry, home decor, fine dining, and exotic getaways up for grabs.
To help keep up their strength for nonstop line dancing, guests sampled bites from such local restaurants as Big Al's Smokehouse BBQ, Ellen's Southern Kitchen, The Food Trap, Gil's Elegant Catering, Luckys Cafe, Posh Cakes by Shane Morgan, Salum, Starbucks Coffee Company, Stock and Barrel, Street's Fine Chicken, and Taco Y Vino.
Spotted both on and off the dance floor (and on and off the mechanical bull) were LeeAnne Locken, Jimmy O'Reilly, Jack Pettit, Felicia Miller, Lee Borchert, Caroline Hofmann, Laura Longwell, Michael Kaufman, Scot Presley, Kate and Keith Newman, Philip Clemmons, Eric D. Johnson, Dr. Mark Parker, Ted Kincaid, Steve Atkinson, Shelly Skeen, Ethan Skinner, Shane Allen, Jonathan Williamson, Zachariah Allen, and Brittany Lee.
All told, more than $261,000 was raised for the Resource Center, which pursues societal equity by proudly offering LGBTQIA+ affirming resources designed to improve health and wellness, strengthen families and communities, and provide transformative education and advocacy.
Since its inception in 1999, Toast to Life has raised over $4.3 million for the organization's programs and services.