Coronavirus pivot

Fun and fundraising go virtual at these upcoming Dallas society events

Dr. Evan Antin, dubbed "America's Sexiest Vet," will emcee the virtual EarthXGlobalGala.

Photo by Mariusz Jeglinski

In any other year, Dallas philanthropists and social butterflies would be picking outfits and preparing pocketbooks for the big fall fundraising season ahead.

But in this year of social distancing and canceled gatherings, many nonprofit galas and luncheons are pivoting creatively to virtual formats. They can still raise crucial funds to continue providing services without risking the health and safety of patrons.

Below are the latest Dallas-Fort Worth organizations to unveil plans for virtual fundraisers — and how to join in the fun without leaving your couch.

AIDS Outreach Center Evening of Hope, September 12
Evening of Hope, AIDS Outreach Center's largest fundraising event, has transitioned from a gala at Fort Worth’s Ridglea Country Club to a virtual event. Co-chairs are Scott W. Green and Karen McKenzie, with honorary co-chairs Dr. Cheryl McDonald and Dr. Kevin Connelly, and they've chosen the jazzy theme “Roaring '20s: Vision of Hope.” So don your flashiest flapper dress and most dapper pinstripe suit, and plan to show up online at 7 pm. The event helps fund programs and clients of AIDS Outreach Center. For more information and tickets, $25-$50, visit the website.

Austin Street Center Humble Beginnings Luncheon, September 25
The 20th anniversary of this annual luncheon will take place virtually beginning at 11:30 am. Tony and Grammy Award-Winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr., best known as Aaron Burr in the smash-hit Broadway musical Hamilton, will perform live and participate in a moderated conversation. The luncheon, co-chaired by Richie Butler and Chris Kleinert, celebrates and assists Austin Street Center’s work to provide safe shelter and basic needs to individuals experiencing homelessness in Dallas. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased on the website.

Black Tie Dinner, October 18
Always one of the buzziest Dallas events of the season, and the nation’s largest LGBTQ fundraiser dinner of its kind, Black Tie Dinner is heading to TV this year. The first-ever live TV special called Black Tie LIVE will air on on WFAA-TV (Channel 8) from 4-5 pm October 18. The give-a-thon special will feature entertainment, segments on LGBTQ history, a live auction, car raffle with Park Place Mercedes-Benz, and fundraising opportunities for Black Tie Dinner’s 2020 beneficiaries. The organization is also launching a virtual peer-to-peer fundraising tool called “Black Tie Dinner Ambassador Program” to help generate proceeds for the 2020 beneficiaries. Jeremy Hawpe is the 2020 Black Tie Dinner chair; for more information, visit the website.

EarthXGlobalGala, October 22
The EarthxGlobalGala recognizes individuals, celebrity icons, expert leaders, organizations, and corporations who are dedicated to a more sustainable future. Highlights of this year’s virtual event include the presentation of the Swarovski signature awards (made of upcycled crystal) and a live auction. Also appearing will be The Compton Kidz Club and Grammy winner Skip Martin of Kool & the Gang, featuring Bastards of Soul. Animal Planet’s Dr. Evan Antin, dubbed “America’s Sexiest Vet,” will serve as the emcee for the evening. It all begins at 6:30 pm, and tickets are $25-$150 at the website.

Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Celebrating Women Event, October 28
In lieu of an in-person luncheon this year, Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation will take its Celebrating Women event online. The virtual celebration, chaired by Peggy Meyer, will include a conversation with TV’s Dr. Mehmet Oz starting at 11:30 am. Leading up to the event, inspiring patient videos and updates regarding breast cancer innovations and research initiatives at Baylor Scott & White Health will be shared throughout the month of October. The Dr. Oz event will be available for free to anyone who signs up online. This year’s efforts will focus on support for the Celebrating Women Gift of Life Fund, which assists women in need of breast cancer services who are unable to afford their care. For more information and to sign up, visit the website.

A Writer's Garden Literary Symposium and Luncheon, November 17
The Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will present the 14th annual symposium, themed “Near or Far…There Is No Place Like Home,” virtually beginning at 9:45 am. It will feature two internationally renowned speakers, Southern lifestyle author and interior designer James Farmer and acclaimed textile designer Lisa Fine. Underwriting starts at $2,500, and includes lunch delivered to the host’s home or business for up to 10 guests, and more. Individual patron tickets start at $75. The event, chaired by Suzanne Millet with Diane Sealy as honorary chair, benefits the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and the development and maintenance of A Woman's Garden. For more information and tickets, visit the website.

luncheons fundraisers galas

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.