Texans are always ready for a fundraiser with "boots and bling" as the requested attire. At the sixth annual Cowboys & Cowboys Sky Ranch Gala at the InterContinental Hotel, attendees were a vision in Western, with Stetsons, fringed jackets and that quintessential Texas wardrobe staple, cowboy boots. Oh, and a flash of fur.
Even celebrity chair Troy Aikman came out looking like a Southern gent. But that was no surprise.
Although the crowd made a true Texas fashion statement, they were there for a greater purpose: to support Sky Ranch, a Christian camp dedicated to providing youth with guidance for living a moral life.
To help fund scholarships, guests — including Kathy and Michael Jackson, Catherine and Key Coker, George Seay III, Janet Dorsett and Stacy Urtso — bid on leather boots, jewelry, restaurant gift cards, travel packages, celeb-signed guitars and more treasures in the silent and live auctions. John Morgan, the camp's ministry manager, fervently explained the reason to provide for less fortunate kids. "You're donating to change a life," he said.
As devout attendees dined on beef tenderloin and thyme Parmesan polenta, emcee Scott Murray introduced the celebrity cowboys — from the football field to the rodeo arena. Among the sportsman joining Aikman were Michael Irvin, Bob Lilly, Tony Lisico, Don McIlhenny, John Phillips, Walt Garrison and Cliff Harris.
President and CEO of Sky Ranch Linda Paulk told us they raised $650,000 in scholarships last year. This year, once it's all tallied, they hope the sum hits $1 million.
Margo Johnson, Lauren Swope, Cathrine Rowsey, Nina Byrd, Chelsea Hargrave, Lauren Ott, Ashley Newton, Emily Fuquay Photo by ASHGPHOTO
The Taste of the Masters group.Photo by ASHGPHOTO
Emcee — and self-proclaimed Georgia peach —Laura Harris.Photo by ASHGPHOTO