By now, Genesis Young Leaders know the secret: Ask your guests to wear a mask, and they will give generously. At the young professional group's third annual Masquerade, held recently at the Empire Room, the final fundraising sum of more than $165,000 surpassed expectations.
Four hundred guests donned the finest in feathery and glittery masks to celebrate GYL's mission, which is to assist the life-saving work of Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support.
“We are proud to host one of the coolest parties in town, but we know it means so much more,” shared Genesis CEO Jan Langbein in a release. “Through our GYL auxiliary and Masquerade, we are engaging our twentysomething and thirtysomething-year-olds during a time in their lives when domestic violence often begins to rear its ugly head.
“We want them to know that there is help and hope, and we want them to share this message with those in their circles as well.”
Event co-chairs Hillary and Aaron Murff and Beth and Marshall Smith transformed the Design District event space into a 1920s art deco dream.While the roulette wheels spun and dice were rolled at the casino tables, guests — including Kamela and Kenneth Aboussie, Kristen and Adam Studevant, Luke Patterson, Chelsea Cunningham, Jaca Stultz, Stephen Hassenflu, Katie and Peter Crow, and Jenny and Dan Harris — sipped on cocktails from the Standard Pour and noshed on delicious bites from Low Country Quisine.
Raffle prizes — a Four Seasons staycation and golf package, a private shopping event at Abi Ferrin, and private tours and tastings at Dallas’ popular local breweries — kept the pocketbooks open. When not placing bets or buying raffle tickets, guests captured memories in the SloDown SloMo Video Lounge and danced into the night with help from the popular live band Cuvee. Everyone went home with sweet treats from Nib Chocolates.
Founded in 2001, Genesis Young Leaders assists Genesis Women's Shelter in providing safety, shelter, and expert counseling at no cost to women and children who have experienced domestic violence.
Robert Birdwell, Kristen Reed
