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 of Parigi 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

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