Cowboys Do It Better

Dallasites cowboy up and party hard to raise millions for Cattle Baron's Ball 2015

There wasn't a raindrop in sight, which delighted co-chairmen Mary Martha Pickens and Tia Love Wynne as they welcomed thousands to the 42nd annual Cattle Baron's Ball at Gilley's Dallas. This year's theme — Cowboy Up, Take Cancer Down! — perfectly articulated this fundraising tradition's goal.

Before the masses arrived, donors and special guests gathered for a VIP party, where they mingled while enjoying bites from Mesero and a variety of cocktails, beer, and wine. It was also the time for big spenders to buy raffle tickets, preregister for the auction, and roam the venue for a sneak peek at this year's setup.

Once the Ferris wheel started to spin, the festivities officially began. Guests — including Alexa and Bradley Anderson, Barbara Daseke, Erin and Josh Crofford, Natalie and Mike McGuire, Maggie Kipp, Jared Hutchins, Tierney Kaufman, and Tanya Foster — bid on the silent auction items, bought raffle tickets, and filled up on the endless supply of dining options. Among the morsels: hickory-smoked beef brisket, shrimp jambalaya with andouille sausage, and Shiner Bock chili pie.

Also spotted in the crowd were proud 2015 Cattle Baron's active members Kristi Bare, Katy Bock, Annika Cail, Robin McMonigle, Laura Reeder, Sunie Solomon, and Anne Stodghill, who not only know how to raise money, but also rock a chic pair of cowboy boots. There's something special about this group of ladies, to be sure.

The Ray Johnston Band got the entertainment started before auctioneers Wendy and Doak Lambert rallied the crowd to bid big and bold to give cancer the boot. One highlight of the auction came when the Barbecue with Dallas' Finest Chefs package hit the block. Nick Barclay, Richard Chamberlain, Dean Fearing, Kevin Garvin, David Holben, and Kent Rathbun took the stage to help drive up the bids, and the charismatic crew sold two of 'em for $70,000 apiece. More big bucks were raised when Hall of Famer Charles Haley showed up to help his Poker with Dallas Football Greats package, which sold for just under $100,000.

Post auction, guests filed into the Andrews Distributing Main Stage to see three-time Grammy Award-winning country music legend Tim McGraw. His personable, chatty, and downright dreamy set included past and present hits and a serenade — which someone won at the live auction, of course. The Louisiana boy playfully picked on the Texas guests and won them over with "The Cowboy in Me," among other songs.

After McGraw's unforgettable performance, the Studio 54 Band kicked off the after-party. In order to keep up the good times until the end, attendees loaded up on late-night fare, including biscuits and gravy, breakfast tacos, and cinnamon rolls. When the clock struck 2 am, they finally headed out the door, swag bags in hand.

Most important, Cattle Baron's Ball raised more than $4 million for the American Cancer Society. For that, we tip our cowboy hat.

Lora Farris, Kristin Smith, Carla Rosenberg

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Lora Farris, Kristin Smith, Carla Rosenberg

galas fundraisers

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

executives parks klyde warren park