No Ties Required

Reality TV couple lends star power to Dallas’ sweetest fundraising fête

More than $150,000 — and those are just the early tallies — now fill the till at AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD) thanks to the 11th annual No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party. This year the Bond-inspired theme was “You Only Live Twice,” in honor of the nonprofit’s history of providing a second chance at life for its residents.

The party had some star power this year, courtesy of honorary chairs Marie and Angel Reyes, of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Dallas. Together with chairperson David Nelson, they welcomed 1,500 supporters for a night of sweet treats — cupcakes, cookies, cheesecake, and chocolate — and cocktails. The signature libation was the Reyka Double Bond with vodka, cranberry, and a splash of ginger ale.

Deanna Cahill — who could be spotted atop a cupcake platform dressed in Bond girl sexy black leather — produced a surprise dance performance by the Dallas Cowboys R&B team, with help from husband Rob and Alika Ray. The requisite live auction included such goodies as a Louis Vuitton chaise lounge and vacation packages to Belize and a restored 800-year-old French chateau.

These events often honor those who fight the good fight on behalf of the organization. In this case, Carol Hatton was the recipient of the Sheila Dolezal Humanitarian Award for her volunteerism and community support, and the newly retired Dennis Kershner received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his seven-year service as ASD chairman of the board and 10-year stint as chairperson of No Tie.

Notable attendees included ASD president and CEO Don Maison, ASD chairman of the board Don Neubauer, Blake Baker, Chris Huffstutler, Sara Fangmeyer, Dylan Orrell, Sterling Deason O’Donnell, Patricia Deason, Tricia Sims, Merlene Phillips, and Tony Fielding.

AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD) creates and strengthens healthy communities through the delivery of quality, affordable, service-enriched housing for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS who are economically disadvantaged.

Angel Reyes, Marie Reyes

Photo by Gregory Martin

Angel Reyes, Marie Reyes

celebrities fundraisers real-housewives

New York Holiday spectacular

Glimpse all the gowns and glamour of Dallas' Crystal Charity Ball 2024

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Jennifer Sanders, Kristin Hallam, Tanya Rice, Whitney Cameron

Crystal Charity Ball 2024 whisked Dallas patrons away on an opulent "New York Holiday."

In choosing to bring the Big Apple to Big D with her theme, ball chairman Cheryl Joyner had imagined “the beauty of fresh snow, peeking into the elaborately decorated windows on Fifth Avenue, and strolling through Central Park with a chill in the air." It was all of that, kicked up a notch with a spectacular Rockettes-style dance show, too.

The 72nd annual black-tie gala is the grand finale of the Dallas social season and benefits children's charities around the city.

When all 1,563 attendees arrived to the Hilton Anatole Hotel on Saturday, December 7, they were ushered into a wintry scene in Central Park. Lush gardens, illuminated trees, and park benches filled the atrium, but it was the Central Park-style ice rink that took centerstage.

Real ice skaters glided and twirled, round and round the rink. (What a coincidence that ice skating is also one of the biggest family-fun activities of the holiday season in DFW.)

Dallas Crystal Charity Ball 2024 Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora

At the edge of the rink, patrons nibbled from an hors d'oeuvres spread that included bagels and lox, eggs Benedict deviled eggs, butternut squash arancini, and the annual gala's famous giant shrimp display.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Jennifer Sanders, Kristin Hallam, Tanya Rice, and Whitney Cameron donning dazzling gowns in the most popular colors of the evening - black, white, red, and silver.