Parties for a cause

The latest Dallas charity soirees to unveil COVID-friendly formats this spring

Dallas-area nonprofits have been rethinking their big fundraising events for the past year. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, virtual auctions have replaced galas, and streaming Q&As with celebrity speakers have replaced live luncheons.

What hasn't changed? Their need to raise critical funds to provide desperately needed services to the community.

Below are the latest nonprofit events being held in more pandemic-friendly formats. (Note that their plans were revealed before Gov. Greg Abbott lifted mask and capacity restrictions on March 2, so their plans could change again.) Here's what they're doing and how to join in.

Chabad of Plano/Collin County presents "The Legacy of Elie Wiesel," March 2
Chabad of Plano/Collin County will present "The Legacy of Elie Wiesel, through the eyes of his son, Elisha Wiesel — A Story for Our Times" via livestream. The only child of Elie Wiesel — the famed Holocaust survivor, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, author, and human rights advocate — Elisha Wiesel will deliver a message of optimism, mutual understanding, and compassion through his personal recollections and journey. Mabrie Jackson, director of public affairs for H-E-B/Central Market, will be honored with the Florence Shapiro Distinguished Leadership Award. The event will be livestreamed for free, 7:30-8:30 pm March 21 at https://chabadplano.org/event.

21st Annual Destiny Award Luncheon: A Conversation with Isabel Wilkerson, March 26
St. Philip’s School and Community Center will host its 21st Annual Destiny Award Luncheon as a virtual experience. The event will feature a conversation with Isabel Wilkerson, the Pulitzer Prize and National Humanities Medal winning author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents and The Warmth of Other Suns. Lisa and Clay Cooley serve as co-chairs, and Tom Joyner will receive the 2020 Mona & David Munson Humanitarian Award. A student showcase will begin at 10:30 am, immediately followed by the luncheon at 11:30 am. Purchase tickets, $175, and join in at www.stphilips1600.org/destiny.

Mad Hatter’s Tea: Out of Africa – Into the Garden, April 15
Now in its 33rd year, the beloved event supporting Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden is making a few changes to ensure the health and safety of its patrons. The April 15 event be held entirely outdoors at the Dallas Arboretum, from 1-4 pm (rather than the all-day affair it usually becomes.) It's limited to just 300 guests, and tables can be for as few as four people. As of press time, masks would be required, organizers said. Jolie Humphrey is chair and Carole Ann Brown, honorary chair. Read more about the hat themes and purchase tickets (starting at $350) at https://womenscouncildallasarboretum.org.

Vogel Alcove 29th Annual Arts Performance Event, May 1
Vogel Alcove presents its annual Arts Performance Event, featuring a concert by The Beach Boys, 5-9 pm May 1 at AT&T Performing Arts Center's Annette Strauss Artist Square. Picnic meals and open bar will be provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering for onsite guests only. All seating is on the grassy area in front of the stage. The grass will be marked off in squares, and there will be one comfortable chair in each square. As of press time, masks and temperature checks will be required. The event will also be livestreamed for those more comfortable viewing at home. Chairs are Scott Beck and Alex Holmes. All proceeds benefit Vogel Alcove, an early childhood education and Parent Opportunity Center that works to break the cycle for homeless children and their families in Dallas. Information and sponsorships (starting at $1,500; no individual tickets sold), and virtual viewing package ($1,000) at www.vogelalcove.org.

ReuNight for The Family Place, May 13
The Family Place's popular annual ReuNight fundraiser is returning this spring as an outdoor garden party. The dinner party will take place the evening of Thursday, May 13 at the Nasher Sculpture Center Garden. Capacity will be limited to 100, and masks will be encouraged. Guests will enjoy dishes from Wolfgang Puck Catering at tables spaced 6 feet apart. This year’s co-chairs are Kristen Sanger and Lisa Singleton and honorary chairs, Kristy and Patrick Sands. All proceeds benefit The Family Place, the largest family violence service provider in Texas. More information and tickets (starting at $1,500) available at https://familyplace.org.

Mad Hatter's returns as an all-outdoor event.

Dana Herberston, Gina Ginsburg, Kesha Couville, Kelley Gonzalez

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Mad Hatter's returns as an all-outdoor event.

galas fundraisers health charity

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

executives parks klyde warren park