Plays Well With Others

Dallas do-gooders become kids at heart for nonprofit's birthday bash

In perhaps its most literal celebration yet, The Birthday Party Project threw a Toy Town-themed blowout for its sixth anniversary, and supporters were more than ready to revisit their youth for a fun-filled evening. Raggedy Ann and Andy partied with Princess Peach and Mario for a night of nostalgia and giving, all in the name of raising funds for the Dallas-based nonprofit.

Co-chairs Lauren Heiler and Emily Clarke, food and beverage chairs Dana Blaugrund and Jennifer Harris, event production chair Jacqueline Hill, and event production and design chair Sidney Miller transformed The Bomb Factory into a sophisticated playground, with Beanie Baby centerpieces, a LEGO wall, and a spiral slide that made getting down from the balcony way more fun, with each ride costing only a $5 donation.

DJs Souljah and Julio Rivera got the crowd warmed up before the energetic Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra took the stage, drawing Care Bears, Power Rangers, Strawberry Shortcakes, piñatas, whoopee cushions, Barbie dolls, and Rubik's Cubes to the giant Twister dance floor.

Themed bites — think cheesy Mousetrap risotto — from The Joule, Hotel ZaZa, Five Sixty, Panini Bakery, and a host of catering companies (Food Glorious Food, Wolfgang Puck, Cassandra Fine Catering, Michael Owens, Proper Catering & Events, Farm to Market, and Sodexo) fueled the fun, while the VIP section enjoyed even more snacks. A Mr. Potato Head birthday cake greeted guests when they first arrived, and Candy Club, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and FunkyTown Donuts made sure there were always sweets within reach.

Gifts for the Good Life set up a pop-up shop, with TBPP swag available for purchase. As with the ticket sales, all funds went straight toward throwing birthday parties for homeless children across the country.

Live and silent auctions organized by auction chairs Amanda Albritton, Missy Rogers Peck, and Bailey Lloyd brought in even more donations, with the crowd bidding fast and high for such prizes as a 16-person luxury suite experience at a Dallas Mavericks game, dinners out at some of Dallas' finest restaurants, and trips to Aspen and Italy.

Rainbow Brite, aka TBPP founder and CEO Paige Chenault, honored Engage! Summits' Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce, along with past chairs Jamie and Brian O'Boyle, who have been contributing to The Birthday Party Project and its mission since its inception. Then the entire TBPP crew took the stage, holding aloft cupcakes and singing "When I Grow Up" from the musical Matilda before blowing out the candles and making a wish.

All told, the night raised more than $550,000. Founded in 2012 and now located in several cities, The Birthday Party Project brings joy to children living in homeless shelters throughout the U.S. through the magic of birthdays. Since its inception, The Birthday Party Project has celebrated over 4,500 birthdays for more than 30,000 children, with the help of 9,500 birthday enthusiasts.

Annie Verret, Mary Ellen McWilliams, Amy Gale, Paige Chenault, Arden Ellis, Allison Dukes, Candice Trevino

Photo by Rebecca Marie Photography

Annie Verret, Mary Ellen McWilliams, Amy Gale, Paige Chenault, Arden Ellis, Allison Dukes, Candice Trevino

Gala preview

Dallas' most glam fall gala to honor Hollywood superstar Charlize Theron

Universal Pictures Presents "The Odyssey" Paris Premiere

Photo by Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Universal Pictures

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Hollywood star Charlize Theron will be the guest of honor at one of Dallas' hottest-ticket galas of 2026: She will receive amfAR's Award of Inspiration at the organization's black-tie ball on October 24.

For a second year, the glamorous fall fundraiser will take place at the home of Kathleen and Scott Kirby, a release says. Taking over where Dallas' TWO x TWO gala left off when it ended in 2024, the amFAR gala has quickly become one of Dallas' marquee social events, drawing philanthropists, collectors, and high-profile guests in support of amfAR's mission to end HIV/AIDS.

Theron, who won an Oscar for Monster, is currently on a worldwide press tour ahead of her starring role in one of the summer's biggest movies, The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated adaptation of the Homer epic (opening July 17).

Beyond her film career, Theron serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace and founded the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), which supports organizations focused on youth health, HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and combating gender-based violence across Southern Africa.

"Charlize Theron’s longstanding support of amfAR and HIV/AIDS care and prevention through her own foundation make her an inspiration to us all," said amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford in a statement. "We are grateful to her for her tireless work and are thrilled to be able to recognize her at our event in Dallas this year."

According to amfAR, programs supported by CTAOP have reached more than 4.8 million young people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Theron and the foundation also launched the Together for Her campaign with CARE and the Entertainment Industry Foundation to address gender-based violence, and later partnered with the Ford Foundation to advocate for global vaccine equity.

Founded in 1985, amfAR has invested more than $950 million in research grants supporting HIV/AIDS and other diseases in which viruses and the immune system play a significant role. Over the past 26 years, supporters in North Texas have raised more than $66.5 million to advance amFAR's ongoing HIV research and global health initiatives, the organization says.

This year's gala will feature cocktails, a seated dinner, musical performances, and a live auction offering luxury goods, travel experiences, and contemporary art. Tickets and table sponsorships are now available, starting at $2,500.

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