Indulge for Good

Fab Dallas fundraiser puts luxury within reach for most important cause

A soiree with champagne, fast cars, precious gems, hand-rolled cigars, and a fashion show — it sounds extravagant, and that’s exactly the point. Accessible Luxury is an event that brings all of Dallas’ finest things within reach.

And guests can feel great about reveling, because it all benefits Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, an institution with a 95-year history of treating, researching, and pioneering pediatric orthopedic care for children, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

One of the most anticipated benefits on the city’s social scene, the seventh annual Accessible Luxury event takes place on Friday, April 15, at the Park Place Premier Collection. Within the dealership’s walls, guests get up close with Maseratis and other luxury vehicles, then glide from room to room to see what other surprises await.

“Accessible Luxury is not your typical fundraising event,” say event chairmen Emily and Buck Branson. “It’s an interactive experience where guests can explore pop-up shops, sample cuisine from trendy local eateries, and enjoy a style show, all while sipping delicious cocktails.”

The evening’s main event is the Rolls-Royce Runway Show produced by Harriet Kelly Gibbe, which gives attendees a sneak peek of the latest designers found in Highland Park Village, including Alice + Olivia, Anne Fontaine, Diane von Furstenberg, Escada, and Trina Turk.

From there, partygoers can pop into the Bentley Bubble Room to enjoy a lipstick bar, get a touchup from a professional makeup artist, discover the latest trends in skincare courtesy of luxury beauty retailer Bluemercury, and shop rows of stunning gems from Eiseman Jewels.

Guests can also check out the Beretta gallery of firearms and accessories, plus pick up a cigar hand rolled on the spot in the Maserati Man Cave; sample late-night treats and a gourmet coffee bar in the Jaguar Jungle Lounge; and explore the McLaren Moonlight Room to enter the raffle and bid on luxury items before DJ Lucy Wrubel starts spinning for the late-night dance party.

“It’s an amazingly unique way to showcase Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and introduce the hospital to people who may not otherwise know how to get involved,” say steering committee members Natalie and Hampton Crow. “There really is something for everyone. We have fun figuring out which raffle items to bid on — and even more fun if we happen to win. And the dance party is always a highlight — a great way to end the night every year.”

Event Details 

What: Accessible Luxury 
When: Friday, April 15, 7:00 pm 
Where: Park Place Premier Collection Dealership
Event Chairmen: Emily and Buck Branson
Honorary Chairmen: Tia and Kelly Kraft
Runway Show Emcee: Courtney Kerr
DJ: Lucy Wrubel

Individual ticket: $125
Trendsetters’ package for two: $1,000 (includes two event tickets, access to the Trendsetters' Hour at 6 pm, priority runway show seating for two, and one complimentary raffle ticket)

To purchase tickets, please visit accessibleluxury.org, or call 214-559-8464 for questions about the event.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions and sports injuries, as well as certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

For more information, to volunteer, or to make a donation, please call 214-559-5000 or 800-421-1121, or visit scottishritehospital.org.

Join Texas Scottish Rite Hospital supporters for the annual Accessible Luxury fundraising event on April 15.

Accessible Luxury 2015 benefiting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

Courtesy photo

Join Texas Scottish Rite Hospital supporters for the annual Accessible Luxury fundraising event on April 15.

promoted fundraisers cocktails

Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.