Season of Giving

Cherished Dallas Christmas market takes shopping and giving online

The shopping bags will be virtual this year.

Photo courtesy of Chi Omega Christmas Market

The Chi Omega Christmas Market is known as the unofficial start of holiday shopping season in Dallas, with more than 300 merchants and small businesses offering artisan goodies and gifts and the entrance fees benefiting local nonprofits. That's not changing this year, but what is is its format: The beloved holiday tradition is going virtual.

The 12 Days of Chi Omega Christmas Virtual Market will take place online November 10-21, allowing supporters to shop from the safety of their own homes while giving back to some of North Texas' most deserving beneficiaries, whose important work has not halted during these difficult times.

"A virtual Chi Omega Christmas Market allows us to bring a new experience to shoppers this year, while continuing the rich tradition of spreading holiday cheer and raising critically important funds for this year's amazing beneficiaries — the true meaning for the market," says Jana Beth Eidson, who is co-chairing the event with her daughters Taylor Eidson Wood and Savannah Eidson Near.

In addition to the new virtual market experience, the Chi Omega Christmas Virtual Market will include a variety of fun virtual events designed to spread holiday cheer. Registration will open for each of these events upon the open of the Market on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Visit www.chiomegavirtualmarket.org to register for each:

Kendra Scott Virtual Styling Event
Hosted by: Leslie Fearla, Director of Customer Experience
Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 pm
This Kendra Scott Gives Back Virtual Styling and Wreath-Making Event offers a limited 20 percent discount. Register here.

The Magic of Christmas, Story Time with Santa!
Hosted By: The Cincy Santa, Pat Lease
Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 4:30 pm; Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 pm; and Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 10:30 am
Cozy up and listen to Santa read a Christmas story.

Tablescapes: Tricks and Tips for Setting A Festive Table (without chipping a nail!)
Hosted By Jana & Bryan Otis, Owners of Chateau Charmont Interiors
Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 pm
This event will demonstrate a Thanksgiving table setting and will discuss the centerpiece, effective use of beautiful vases, place settings, serving pieces, dining chairs, and more.

Work Up a Sweat Live (!) with Newest Workout Craze AKT
Hosted by: AKT
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 am for live class, can be streamed on-demand after class airs.
AKT is a full-body workout that combines cardio dance intervals with strength and toning, all while having fun.

Cooking Royally with Chef Darren McGrady
Hosted By: Chef Darren McGrady
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 pm
Celebrate the return of the fourth season of Netflix’s The Crown with Princess Diana’s former chef, Darren McGrady. He’ll be teaching how to whip up a royally delicious holiday treat and dish about his time serving the Royal Family. The ingredient list will be provided upon registration.

Wine Tasting Award Winning Ab Astris Winery
Hosted By: Kristen & Mitch Nelson and Mitchell Sharrock of Ab Astris
Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 pm
Wine-down on Wednesday and join Ab Astris Winery for a virtual tasting of four award-winning, 100 percent Texas wines. Included in this bundle are four dry wines, including one white and three reds.

A Texas Christmas Virtual Cooking + Mixology Class & Chi Omega Trivia
Hosted by: TV personalities Hannah Davis + Kara Sewell
Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 pm
Join TV personalities Hannah Davis and Kara Sewell for this fun, virtual Girls Night Out. Learn how to make two essential items for a Texas Christmas — a White Christmas Margarita and Chipotle Bacon Guacamole — while playing Chi Omega trivia. The ingredient list will be provided upon registration.

During its 43-year legacy, the market has given back more than $9 million to 120 local nonprofits.

This year's beneficiaries include Bridge Breast Network, Braswell Child Development Center, CitySquare, DME Exchange of Dallas, Family Gateway, Grant Halliburton Foundation, Make-A-Wish of North Texas, Mi Escuelita Preschool, Mommies In Need, New Friends New Life, Our Friends Place, PediPlace, Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and The Senior Source.

The First Call for Patrons tradition will also continue, letting shoppers who make a donation shop the market a full day prior to the event's official start.

A custom gift guide will highlight merchants from across the country, and can be requested by completing the "contact us" form on the market's website. Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates and spotlighted items.

The first Chi Omega Christmas Market started in 1978 at the NorthPark Inn with fewer than 50 merchant booths and raised $13,150 for the Dallas community.

shopping fundraisers holidays charity

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.