Hero Worship

DFW Warrior Dinner raises big bucks for wounded war heroes

It isn’t every day that we get to honor the men and women who dedicate their lives to serving and protecting our country. But honor we did, at the first DFW Warrior Dinner benefiting Helping a Hero, which helps build adapted, customized homes for severely wounded military personnel.

Patriotic supporters joined co-chairs Miss Texas USA Ali Nugent and Roger Staubach at the Fairmont Dallas for a seated dinner and moving ceremony emceed by Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s Paige Hemmis. Also on the bill was funny man David Feherty, writer, broadcaster and founder of Feherty’s Troops First, his own nonprofit dedicated to providing assistance to wounded soldiers.

In a heartfelt speech, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a member of the honorary advisory committee, spoke sincerely about the late Chris Kyle, recipient of the Patriot Award. Cruz said Kyle was a soft-spoken man for being such a tremendous warrior, and he lived by the motto that it is our duty to serve those who serve us. Kyle led a life and left a legacy “that all of us hope to emulate,” Cruz said.

Despite the bounty of boldfaced names in the program, the real stars that evening were the military heroes themselves, in the audience and onstage. Several wounded warriors — both in person and in the video presentation — spoke passionately about their commitment to serve and how, despite severe burns and lost limbs, would choose to go back into combat if they could.

Among the Dallas-area heroes receiving homes — three have been built and three more will be completed this year — are Cpl. Brian Aft, USMC (Ret.), Cpl. Zach Briseno, USMC (Ret.), Cpt. Sam Brown, USA (Ret.), Sgt. Brandon Byers, USAF (Ret.), Sgt. Brian Fleming, USA (Ret.) SFC John Wayne Walding, USA (Ret.).

Showing support for the troops were Helping a Hero national chairman and founder Meredith Iler, Caroline Rose Hunt, LeeAnne Locken, Kimber Hartmann, Maurine Dickey, Lisa and Jay Johnson, John Walding, Richard Emberlin, Scott Mary, Elizabeth Canon, and Jamie Nugent.

In just six weeks — and before the silent and live auction funds were tallied — the event raised more than $300,000 to help build adapted homes for wounded heroes who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Sgt. Brandon Byers spoke about adjusting to his injuries, with his wife by his side.

Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Sgt. Brandon Byers spoke about adjusting to his injuries, with his wife by his side.

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Hollywood angels

Farrah Fawcett's besties raise big bucks for cancer fight in Dallas

Photo courtesy of Farrah Fawcett Foundation

Libby Hunt, Alana Stewart, Linda Gray

Fifteen years after Farrah Fawcett's death, the Hollywood legend's foundation fights on to fund cancer research and care for patients nationwide. For the third year, they brought their efforts to Dallas, to the 2024 Farrah Fawcett Foundation Tex-Mex Fiesta.

Held on a picture-perfect night outdoors at The Rustic on October 24, the benefit brought together a few hundred Dallas patrons and TV stars, including some of Fawcett's best friends. Co-chairs Alana Stewart (Fawcett's BFF) and Linda Gray (of Dallas) held court over the event, with help from special guest George Hamilton and actor Lawrence Zarian. Libby and David Hunt were the Dallas-based event chairs.

Hollywood stars Morgan Fairchild and Sheree Wilson also walked the red carpet; unfortunately, Fawcett's fellow Charlie's AngelJaclyn Smith and their friend Donna Mills had to cancel their appearances, it was announced from stage, due to scheduling conflicts filming the new ABC series Doctor Odyssey.

Guests were welcomed with a mariachi band and photo opps with burros; DJ 13lackbeard kept the party upbeat. They filled up on a Tex-Mex "surf and turf" buffet, and signature margaritas and ranch waters flowed all night.

The Rustic, Farrah Fawcett Foundation 2024 Tex-Mex Fiesta The event took place outdoors at The Rustic.Photo courtesy of Farrah Fawcett Foundation

About the time servers passed out mini versions of The Rustic's famous peanut butter pie and banana pudding, tributes to Fawcett began, underscoring the event's purpose.

Fawcett passed away on June 25, 2009, of anal cancer; the one-time Hollywood "It Girl" was just 62.

"Farrah fought with great strength and compassion, and she said with great sincerity, 'It has humbled me by giving me a true understanding of what millions of others face each day in their own fight against cancer,'" Stewart told the audience. "We will be victorious in that fight and we will not give up until Farrah's dream is realized. How can we lose? We've got Texas on our side, and nothing is more powerful than a Texas heart."

In a heartfelt moment, Gray - known best as tough-as-nails Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas - said that her son had recently died of cancer. "And it just shook me to my core," she said. "This disease has got to be stopped."

Dr. Lawrence Piro, Fawcett’s former oncologist and chief medical advisor for the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, drove home the importance of the evening’s fundraising efforts. Fawcett's foundation is her greatest legacy, he and her friends agreed.

Dallas philanthropists Anne and Steve Stodghill were honored with the foundation's “Angel Award” for their work with cancer-related initiatives, including Cattle Baron's Ball (which Anne chaired in 2017).

A live auction raised hundreds of thousands of dollars with unique packages including:

Lunch and cocktails with George Hamilton the following day at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and a $5,000 Neiman Marcus shopping spree (sold for $15,000)
A five-night getaway for six to St. Barth's (three sold for $15,000 each)
A seven-night excursion to Tuscany (three sold for $13,000) each
A one-of-a-kind work of Farrah Fawcett pop art (sold for $10,000)
A meet-and-greet with rocker Rod Stewart at his show in Las Vegas (sold for $12,500)
A trip to Los Angeles for a "Hollywood Experience" including lunch with Dame Joan Collins (sold for $10,000)

The Farrah Fawcett Foundation, George Hamilton George Hamilton gets the crowd bidding on the chance to have lunch with him the following day.Photo courtesy of The Farrah Fawcett Foundation

For music fans, the highlight of the night was a rousing set by country legend Wynonna Judd. Backed by her band (including her drummer-husband Cactus Moser), she got the crowd on their feet, dancing to hits like "I Saw the Light," "She Is His Only Need," and "No One Else on Earth."

At the end of the night, each guest took home a stylish burlap party bag, courtesy of sponsor Neiman Marcus, filled with red carpet-worthy luxury skincare products.

Final receipts are still being tallied, but all proceeds will go to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and the American Cancer Society’s Dallas Cattle Baron’s Ball to fund the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Hope Lodge.

$Farrah Fawcett Foundation Tex-Mex Fiesta 2024, \u200bLibby Hunt, Alana Stewart, Linda Gray$

Photo courtesy of Farrah Fawcett Foundation

Libby Hunt, Alana Stewart, Linda Gray

celebrities farrah fawcett tex-mex fiesta fundraisers cattle baron's ball jerry jones galas