Crystal Charity Beneficiaries Revealed
Cafe Momentum and 6 more lucky nonprofits to receive 2014 Crystal Charity funds
In the Dallas philanthropic world, the day the Crystal Charity Ball announces its beneficiaries is an important day indeed. On February 7, chair Robyn Conlon released the names of the seven deserving local nonprofits that have been designated to receive the charitable powerhouse's 2014 funds.
Each charity selected had to go before the selection committee, which conducts intensive reviews of the applications. The 2014 beneficiaries include the following:
- Cafe Momentum, a restaurant and culinary training facility that equips at-risk youth with life skills, education and employment opportunities: $487,640
- Dallas CASA, a group that appoints volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children, helping them find safe, permanent homes: $960,290
- Equest, the first therapeutic riding program in Texas and now one of the largest nonprofit therapeutic riding centers in the state: $851,500
- Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic Inc., a bilingual health clinic improving the quality of life through excellence in accessible, affordable healthcare: $603,543
- Mercy Street Inc., a group that engages in relationships with the residents of West Dallas, working with them to bring hope and healing to the community: $733,533
- Vogel Alcove, the only free comprehensive early childhood education program in Dallas providing childcare and case management: $741,380
- Wesley-Rankin Community Center, a community center committed to changing lives of families in West Dallas through educational and transformational programs provided through caring relationships: $750,000
Perhaps the most exciting recipient is the relatively young nonprofit Cafe Momentum, a favorite cause among Dallas foodies, which also applied to Crystal Charity in 2011. These funds mean the organization — which has previously relied on regular pop-up dinners and other special events to accomplish its mission — can finally open a permanent restaurant.
The Crystal Charity Ball, comprising 100 active volunteers, takes fundraising to new and exciting levels for other Dallas nonprofits. Committees are responsible for generating money to be given to the selected charities. Conlon said the campaign will begin on February 27.
This year the ladies are tasked with raising a little more than $5.1 million, which is one of the largest amount in the organization's history. But we know these ladies love a good challenge, so we have no doubt they will be successful.
The Crystal Charity Ball has distributed more than $117 million to Dallas-area children's charities since 1953. The 2014 gala, the highlight of the fall/winter social season in Dallas, is set for Saturday, December 6, at the Hilton Anatole.
The event took place outdoors at The Rustic.Photo courtesy of Farrah Fawcett Foundation
George Hamilton gets the crowd bidding on the chance to have lunch with him the following day.Photo courtesy of The Farrah Fawcett Foundation
