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.

Mioshi Johnson, Chris Johnson

Photo courtesy of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities

Mioshi Johnson, Chris Johnson

fundraisers sports celebrities

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.