Dallas Datebook

The 10 most fabulous fall fêtes that no Dallas social butterfly should miss

Fall in Dallas means that philanthropists are back from their summer stints escaping the Texas heat and are ready to flex their fundraising muscles for a variety of important causes. From giving cancer the boot to celebrating women and everything in between, there is always a great reason to throw on a great gown, bid on a couple of crazy silent auction items, and dance the night away in hopes of making our city, and our world, a better place. Cheers to the can't-miss benefits of the season.

Crystal Charity Ten Best Dressed Luncheon, September 13
This ultra-exclusive luncheon has long marked the beginning of fall social season in Dallas. Luncheon chair Ola Fojtasek welcomes guests to Neiman Marcus Downtown, where honorees — Delilah Boyd, Lisa Cooley, Tiffany Divis, Jennifer Dix, Cate Ford, Cara French, Amy Hegi, Karla McKinley, Amy Prestidge, and Kimberly Whitman — model an upcoming collection by Carolina Herrera. Francie Moody-Dahlberg is the 2019 Hall of Fame honoree.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala, September 28
Barbara and Don Daseke chair this annual event, which is marking the 30th anniversary of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Kathryn and Craig Hall are serving as the event's honorary chairs. This year the DSO welcomes Grammy award-winner and world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell, playing Brahms' Violin Concerto under the direction of Christian Reif. There are a variety of ways to participate if a fancy dinner and couture gown just isn't your cup of tea. For example, you are welcome to attend just the concert and after party. Buy tickets here.

TACA Lexus Party on the Green, October 4
The Arts Community Alliance (TACA) made a bold move a couple of years ago and moved their annual lawn party to the Dallas Arts District, and they are back with another year at the Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Chaired by Kim and Nevin Bannister, this year's party promises a variety of culinary experiences, wine pull, silent and live auction, and live performances by the 2019 grant recipients. This all, of course, to raise money for TACA and the North Texas arts and cultural community.

Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon, October 4
It is refreshing to see a new crop of young philanthropists take the reins to chair some of the most important causes in Dallas. A great example is this year's 23rd annual luncheon happening at the Omni Dallas Hotel and benefiting The Family Place. Chaired by Marjon Henderson, Samantha Wortley, and Marisa Howard, this year the Texas Trailblazer Awards honor Beth Garvey, Mandy Ginsberg, Kim Lody, Melissa Reiff, Lori J. Ryerkerk, Jill Soltau, and Lavinia Masters. Two-time Golden Globe winner, four-time Emmy winner, and Academy Award-nominated actress Laura Linney is serving as the keynote speaker.

Dallas Opera First Sight and First Night, October 17-18
Fashion and opera combine beautifully for this two-day affair, under the leadership of Kim and Greg Hext, that marks one of the Dallas Arts District's most treasured traditions. Things kick off at The Winspear Opera House with First Sight, featuring a fashion show presented by Dolce & Gabbana, followed by a lovely luncheon chaired by Ellen Winspear. First Night event chairs Carol and Don Glendenning then welcome opera fans back the following night for a performance of The Magic Flute. Events to the black-tie affair include a posh pre-performance dinner and even a luxe late-night after party with live entertainment by Professor D.

Cattle Baron's Ball, October 19
Keith Urban. We won't bury the lede here. Time to put on your boots and join co-chairs Wendy Messmann and Lisa Shirley for an epic party for a great cause. Happening again at Gilley's Dallas, this two-stepping soiree has long provided a quick break from the ballroom in order to eat barbecue, drink beer, and bid on luxury experiences all while wearing blue jeans and big belts. Plan to attend the VIP party? Travis Tritt is your scheduled entertainer. (Lucky, lucky!) Cattle Baron's Ball is the largest single-night fundraiser in the nation for cancer research through the American Cancer Society.

TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art, October 26
Perhaps the most star-studded black-tie gala and art auction of the season, this Rachofsky House party is anything but ordinary. Benefiting both amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art and hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky and Lisa and John Runyon, this year's event honors artist Alex Katz. (View the complete auction catalog here.) It is always a treat to see who walks the red carpet, and more importantly, what they decide to wear. The fashion is always as fierce as the philanthropic power that it serves up ($84 million to date).

Junior League of Dallas Milestones Luncheon, November 1
Co-chaired by Alli Eagan and Connie O’Neill, this annual Hilton Anatole luncheon benefits the service fund that grants approximately $1 million to partner agencies in the Dallas community through leadership, civic education, and service. Known for bringing in big-time speakers, this year is no different as the group welcomes actress Keri Russell. The group will also honor the Junior League of Dallas 2019-2020 Sustainer of the Year Bess Enloe.

Black Tie Dinner, November 2
The 38th annual gala, taking place at the Sheraton Dallas, is the nation’s largest, one-night LGBTQ fundraising dinner. This year's event will honor Tony Award-winning actor and singer Billy Porter for his positive impact and contributions to the LGBTQ community. Expect to see other local and national figures, enjoy live entertainment, recognition rewards, auctions, and more. The 2019 Kuchling Humanitarian Award recipient is Don Maison. This year's theme is "Be," and the event is co-chaired by Jeremy Hawpe and Nathan Robbins.

Crystal Charity Ball, December 7
The grande dame of all Dallas galas is set to knock guests off their Guccis once again as Pat McEvoy chairs this year's ball with a South American theme. Think Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. As always, the event is set to take shape in the Chantilly Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole, and all proceeds benefit the 10 local charities that were selected as this year's beneficiaries, including Readers 2 Leaders, Mercy Street, Promise House, Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, Jubilee Park & Community Center, and more.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala 2018.

Katherine Coker, Lisa Cooley, Tracy Lange

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala 2018.

luncheons fundraisers galas charity-guide

Dallas Cowboys to the Rescue

Dallas heroes strut the runway at record-breaking Children's Cancer Fund gala

Photo by Tiffany Sage

Nancy Rogers, Nicky Hilton, Meredith Land, Stacey Bendet, Lori Jones, Laura Kim, Tina Craig, Olivia Abbott Rogers

Heroes both big and small, fictional and real, assembled at the Hilton Anatole on Friday, April 11 for the sold-out Children’s Cancer Fund gala.

The event, celebrating its 35th year, raises millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research and Child Life services. This year's gala proved especially successful, breaking records with a whopping $3 million raised.

Patrons got to browse photos, drawings, testimonials, news clippings, and other memorabilia from years past during the cocktail hour, as well as check out the well-stocked silent auction. Guests could also slip behind the wheel of a gleaming Aston Martin DB12 Volante — which was for sale, if anyone felt so inclined.

Children's Cancer Fund gala 2025 Gala chairs Meredith Land, Lori Jones.Photo by Tiffany Sage

Photo by Tiffany Sage

Nancy Rogers, Nicky Hilton, Meredith Land, Stacey Bendet, Lori Jones, Laura Kim, Tina Craig, Olivia Abbott Rogers

Inside the ballroom, emcee Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, gala chairs Lori Jones and Meredith Land, and CCF chief executive officer Jennifer Arthur welcomed supporters before everyone tucked into an elegant dinner.

Sarah Yanniello, a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse at Children’s Health, received the TeamIzzy Healthcare Award, first awarded in 2024 in honor of Izzy Martin, who passed away shortly after participating in 2022's gala.

Then the main event could really begin.

Honorary chairs Troy Aikman, in his 26th year of support, and Dak Prescott, marking his third year of involvement, led a fashion show featuring 20 pediatric cancer patients, ages 6-16, all glammed up in outfits provided by Dillard's.

These runway stars included:

11-year-old Rufo Abbajifar of McKinney
6-year-old Skylar Adams of Frisco
6-year-old Darius Alexander of Dallas
6-year-old Octavia Castillo of Richardson
6-year-old Wells Denison of Dallas
8-year-old Mikensie Duncan of Euless
16-year-old Kyndall Frederick of Longview
12-year-old Lauren Gutierrez of Coppell
10-year-old Kira Handrale of Lewisville
13-year-old Matthew Haynes of Terrell
6-year-old August Johansen of McKinney
7-year-old Isabela Lam of Plano
14-year-old Lennox Lannon of Dallas
6-year-old Clayton Moorse of Dallas
11-year-old Matthew Norris of Celina
7-year-old Lorenza Ruiz of Plano
7-year-old Mateo Badillo Soto of Dallas
13-year-old Erin Savage of North Richland Hills
6-year-old Lincoln Schoessow of Celina
16-year-old Dylan Williams of Bedford

Children's Cancer Fund gala 2025 Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Octavia Castillo.Photo by Tamytha Cameron

The children were escorted by a wide variety of celebrities:

Spider-Man, Queen Elsa, and the larger-than-life transformer Bumblebee (who later lit up the dance floor — literally)
Alice + Olivia founder Stacey Bendet, U Beauty founder Tina Craig, influencer sisters Maddy and Sophie McGuire, and fashion icons Nicky and Kathy Hilton
Aikman, Prescott, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Cowboys mascot Rowdy, and four members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (including fan favorite Reece Weaver)
members of Highland Park's fire department, Dallas SWAT, and even some of the patients' own doctors

Aikman and Prescott continued the “Quarterbacks for a Cure” legacy established by Cowboys legend Roger Staubach in representing Children’s Cancer Fund. Staubach served as a Children’s Cancer Fund gala chair from the fundraiser’s inception until passing the torch to Prescott in 2022.

“The joy these kids bring, knowing everything they’re going through and the resilience it takes just to be here, is what brings me back year after year,” says Prescott. “Being part of a night that gives them spirit, love, hope, and support — while recognizing the obstacles they face every day — means the world to me. My mission is to help decrease the number of diagnoses and increase the number of survivors. It takes all of us, and playing even a small role is something I cherish.”

Arthur and Brent Christopher, president of Children's Medical Center Foundation, announced the building of a new pediatric campus. This partnership between Children's Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center, set to open in 2031, will replace the current Children's Medical Center Dallas.

“It was incredibly special to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished over the past 35 years with our friends and partners,” Arthur said. “At the same time, the night was about looking ahead to the future of pediatric health care in North Texas. We were proud to share news of our partnership with Children's Health and UT Southwestern as they build a new pediatric campus — an exciting milestone for Dallas and the entire region."

Children's Cancer Fund gala 2025 Sophie McGuire, Maddy McGuire, Natalie McGuire, Mike McGuirePhoto by Tamytha Cameron

A live auction led by Wendy Lambert raised big bucks, with the winners bound to enjoy a Porsche racing experience in Atlanta, a NorthPark Center shopping spree, a suite experience for a Dallas Cowboys game, a Jet Linx private membership, a custom Alice + Olivia design, a meal for 40 at The Charles, a stay at a private villa in Cabo San Lucas, and a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" package in New York City.

Guests — and superheroes — danced long into the night at the after-party, celebrating the event’s extraordinary fundraising total and all the children and their families it will soon help.

Children’s Cancer Fund was founded in 1982 by a coalition of parents whose children were receiving cancer therapy at Children’s Health. CCF raises millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research and Child Life services each year and has created 10 endowments that support pediatric cancer patients at Children's Health and UT Southwestern. CCF is one of the nation’s leading fundraising groups supporting local research toward treatment and prevention of childhood cancers.

For more information or to donate, visit www.ChildrensCancerFund.com.

celebrities childhood cancer childrens cancer fund dak prescott dallas cowboys dallas cowboys cheeleaders dcc fundrasiers health kids sports tony romo troy aikman video galas