Bright Stars

Power couple's celeb-studded gala honors a favorite Dallas Cowboy

What: Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Rising Stars Gala

Where: Omni Frisco Hotel

The 411: For the ninth year, Pat and Emmitt Smith have hosted celebrity friends, sports heroes, and influencers for a weekend of high-profile philanthropy and fun. The 2018 Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational golf tournament and gala raised funds to impact the lives of thousands of North Texas families. And this year's event honored a recently retired Dallas Cowboy for his work off the field.

The weekend began with Friday night gala featuring a red carpet, cocktail reception, seated dinner, and auction. Helmed by honorary chairs Torii and Katrina Hunter and event chairs Janiece Evans-Page and Mark Page, the theme for this year was “Rising Stars.” Entertainment Tonight's Nischelle Turner hosted the event, which showcased the impact of the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities' community work.

The event culminated with the presentation of the 2018 Roger Staubach Award to Cowboys' tight end Jason Witten for his work through his SCORE Foundation. Founded in 2007, the SCORE Foundation battles against domestic violence and has positively impacted tens of thousands of families in Texas and Tennessee.

“Jason Witten has taken what some people would see as a traumatic childhood and turned it into his own ministry," Emmitt Smith says in a release. "He is sharing his experience with others and trying to break the cycle of abuse by mentoring young men. Jason’s character demonstrates being a winner in life exceeds any championship you can win on the field.”

The next day, golfers hit the links for the Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament at TPC Craig Ranch. Players were paired with celebrities to vie for bragging rights and the $5,000 purse. Several hundred ticket-holders watched the tournament and enjoyed games, face-painting, food and beverages, music and an appearance from Rowdy, the Dallas Cowboys mascot. The winning foursome was made up of Chris Wilson, Sterling Sharpe, John Titus, and Jeff Graves.

Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities supports high-quality programs in North Texas through grants, scholarships, and partnership efforts. In addition, Pat and Emmitt Smith personally mentor a group of high-potential, high-performing, underserved students from the Dallas area through their signature program Team 22. The Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational has raised more than $7.2 million in support of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities and supported more than 150 charities in North Texas.

Who: Michelle Witten, Robert McCormick, Tye Strickland, Melissa Rycroft Strickland, Mioshi Johnson, Chris Johnson, Spud Webb, Ron Harper, Carin Alves, Kelly Sheehan, Thurman Thomas, Patti Thomas, Kavon Frazier, Gera Frazier, Libby Vincek, Cynthia Smoot, Jon Mellon, Dawn Mellon, and Woody McClain.

Michelle Witten bids on a Dancing With The Stars auction package.

Emmitt Smith Invitational Gala 2018, Michelle Witten

Photo courtesy of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities

Michelle Witten bids on a Dancing With The Stars auction package.

fundraisers sports celebrities

Lights. Camera. Adopt.

Puppies and paparazzi steal the spotlight at SPCA of Texas Fur Ball

Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

Kristy Sands, Madelaine Lam, Kameron Wescott, Olivia Nelson, Kristin Hallam, Tanya Rice, Katy Brooks.

Sparkling dresses, dapper suits, and the occasional puppy kiss stole the show at the SPCA of Texas’ Fur Ball on September 19. More than 500 of the nonprofit’s most passionate supporters gathered at the Frontiers of Flight Museum near Love Field, ready to make a difference and have a great time doing it.

Billed as DFW’s most paw-some gala, the Fur Ball celebrates the powerful bond between people and their pets while raising critical funds for the SPCA of Texas’ mission to rescue, heal, and find loving homes for thousands of animals each year. This year’s event — themed "Lights. Camera. Adopt." — was chaired by Kristin Hallam, with The Dealey Family Foundation serving as honorary chairs.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2025 Brian Curtis, James Hallam, Kristin Hallam, Chris Luna.Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

Kristy Sands, Madelaine Lam, Kameron Wescott, Olivia Nelson, Kristin Hallam, Tanya Rice, Katy Brooks.

After checking in and posing for photos, guests made their way upstairs for cocktails and one of the evening’s favorite attractions: the Cuddle Zone. Sleepy, soft puppies eager for nuzzles — and available for adoption — were cradled and cooed over while guests browsed a lively silent auction featuring animal-themed baskets, restaurant and spa gift cards, designer bags, jewelry, and artwork.

As the evening continued, guests moved downstairs and through a tunnel of "paparazzi" before entering the softly glowing dining area, bedecked with white orchids courtesy of event designer Steve Kemble.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2025 Photo by Joseph Haubert Photography

Dinner by Vestals Catering began with a butter leaf salad with poached pears and spiced pecans, followed by red wine-braised short rib garnished with crispy onions. Alternating desserts of triple chocolate layer cake and apple-cranberry shortcake got forks flying as guests sampled their neighbors' treats.

Returning emcee and NBC 5 anchor Brian Curtis, himself a proud pet parent of rescued dog Ocho, reminded everyone of the reason behind the festivities. Tripawd Sapphire, a gorgeous Rottweiler mix, also took the stage to share her rehabilitation story via video.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2025 Krystelle Sun with Sapphire.Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

SPCA of Texas president and CEO Chris Luna expressed gratitude to the dedicated volunteers and staff, encouraging the crowd to give generously to support life-saving care for animals in need.

Luna also announced a $31 million capital campaign titled Care Unleashed, which has already raised more than 75 percent of the funds needed to add 39,000 square feet to the nonprofit’s reimagined Stephens Greth Foundation Campus and the new Addy Foundation Care and Recovery Center.

Auctioneer Grant Snyder then led a spirited live auction that saw guests competing for luxurious getaways and a private dinner at chef Kent Rathbun's home — a prize so popular it sold twice.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2025 James Hallam makes a bid.Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

To wrap up the evening, guests hit the dance floor as Manhattan kept the energy high late into the evening. Spotted among the crowd were last year's chairs Lawrence and Katy Bock, Trevor and Jan Rees-Jones, Kameron Westcott, Madelaine Lam, Randy Pruett, Bill Driscoll, Michelle Bleiberg, Olivia Nelson, Tanya Rice, Katy Brooks, Peter and Lael Brodsky, and Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, all there to support a cause close to their hearts.

In total, the Fur Ball raised more than $800,000, funds that go directly toward rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding homes for thousands of animals across North Texas.

animals charity galas