Season's Best

’Tis the season for Dallas’ grand gala finale: Crystal Charity Ball

On December 3, the biggest and grandest ball of the society season beckoned Dallas’ most philanthropic. The Crystal Charity Ball, held annually at the Hilton Anatole, is known for being an elaborate production, and this year’s affair was no different, with a theme of To Everything There is a Season.

Upon arrival, guests walked that famous red carpet (covered and heated, of course) before being ushered into what felt like a midsummer’s night dream, with a huge floral-encased television screen projecting the changing of seasons.

Between sipping bubbly and cocktails and noshing on assorted small bites, guests — including Nicholas McCord, Mary and Robert Black, Elizabeth and Eric Gambrell, Lisa and Kenny Trout, Lisa and John Geider, Kimberly and Thomas Ricks, Becky and Jim Lozier, Phyllis and Steve McKnight, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, and Mary Beth and Kevin Conlon — perused the comprehensive silent auction. For those feeling lucky, there was also casino fun to be had, all in the name of charity.

Once it was time for dinner, the doors to the Chantilly Ballroom opened to reveal a magical winter wonderland draped with crystals, flowers, and candle-filled glass globes suspended from elaborate table arrangements. Throughout the dinner — which included Maine lobster salad and garlic-crusted filet of beef — an orchestra played an assortment of classical and big band tunes. As dinner wound down, a Motown band took the stage, drawing the guests onto what quickly became a packed dance floor.

Post-dinner, those who didn’t want to dance were free to resume the casino games and place last-minute bids on those must-have silent auction items. As the evening wound down, the scent of the sweetest of CCB traditions — fresh, hot beignets — began permeating air.

The Crystal Charity Ball Committee’s sole purpose is to aid, support, and make contributions to charitable organizations dedicated to the welfare of children located in Dallas County. It was established in 1952 and has raised more than $130 million with an active membership of 100 women.

This year’s beneficiaries include Community Partners of Dallas ($1,359,236), Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas ($976,000), Notre Dame School of Dallas ($676,020), and Parkland Foundation ($789,002), among others.

Kenny Troutt, Lisa Troutt, Lisa Geider, John Geider

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Kenny Troutt, Lisa Troutt, Lisa Geider, John Geider

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.