Treasured Fundraising

Texas Scottish Rite gets it right with charitable outdoor street party

Mother Nature gave partygoers a well-deserved break from blustering summer temps for the 21st annual Treasure Street benefiting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. With cool breezes and a festive atmosphere at Old Parkland, it was the ultimate evening to eat, drink, dance, bid, donate, and be merry — all for a great cause.

Friendly staff and volunteers outfitted in bright pink shirts greeted guests at the valet stand and handed out gourmet snack boxes for the short shuttle ride to the main event. The beautifully lit grounds boasting hues of cobalt blue, fuchsia, and violet created the perfect ambience for a night under the stars.

Upon arrival, patrons sampled an array of delicious bites, such as mini crab cakes, lobster BLTs, crispy chicken on steamed buns, and burger sliders courtesy ofParigi chef Janice Provost. Other treats for the taking included lollipop lamb chops, candied bacon lollipops, chicken- and crab-filled avocados, truffle popcorn, cotton candy, confetti cupcakes, and Chantilly cream-filled chocolate globs. In the spirit of Oktoberfest, servers carried pretzels on a stick with spicy mustard for those craving a few extra carbs between beers.

Event chair Hadleigh Henderson and honorary chairs B.K. and Mark Sloan welcomed friends and thanked guests and donors before the live auction began. Texas-based artist Christopher H. Martin recruited a few aspiring painters (aka Scottish Rite Hospital patients) to assist in creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The colorful canvas has become a live auction staple, and this year’s treasure is appropriately titled We Love You.

A John Lannom manufactured, all-terrain hunting buggy was also up for grabs and proudly displayed at the entrance for all potential new owners to see. In past years, the custom-built four-wheeler has garnered as much as $60,000 thanks to avid outdoorsmen and the families who love them. A Pat Green-autographed guitar and vacations to Maui, New Orleans, and Denver drew competitive bidding at the silent auction tables.

Dallas’ favorite party band, Emerald City, kept the crowd on their feet performing hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas, and “Me Too” by Meghan Trainor. Those of us breaking down the dance floor cheered for an encore, and we were much obliged with “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC, “Shout” by The Isley Brothers, and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. Revelers needing to retire their dancing shoes found solace on the upstairs balcony, complete with bar service and spectacular views of the downtown skyline.

Making treasured memories were Betsy and Richard Eiseman, Susie and Randy Courtney, John Yancey, Peyton Blackwell, André Dowd, Jaimee and Robert Slovak, D’Andra Simmons, and Erin Condon.

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 arthritic and neurological disorders, and learning disorders such as dyslexia. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Since its inception, Treasure Street has garnered more than $13 million to carry out the hospital’s mission of treating, researching, and pioneering pediatric orthopedic care.

Matt Landrum, Catherine Landrum, Austin Lewis, McKenzie Moussa

Photo courtesy of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital

Matt Landrum, Catherine Landrum, Austin Lewis, McKenzie Moussa

galas dance fundraisers

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.