Bet the House

Glam casino night has Dallas YPs feeling lucky while raising funds for kids

More than 400 Dallasites were feeling lucky on February 2 when they arrived at The Hall on Dragon, ready to throw down dollars (both real and faux) for CASAblanca.

The casino-themed fundraiser hosted by Dallas CASA Young Professionals and co-chaired by Brooke Donelson, Hannah Harpole, and Amanda Rodriguez is a harbinger of spring society season, not to mention a can't-miss party for YPs. It's also a great excuse to get glammed up and party for a great cause.

Some guests arrived by Alto while others poured from Fetii party vans, with both transportation companies having provided promo codes to ensure a safe night.

After posing at the step-and-repeat, these philanthropy-minded YPs took up spots at the blackjack and craps tables and tried their luck at the roulette wheel.

The crowd could turn their winnings into raffle tickets for fun prizes, and also bid on such silent auction items as wine tastings, beauty treatments, dinners out, sparkling jewelry, Aero tickets to Cabo or Aspen, original artwork, and even a year of Whataburger.

A signature drink called the Queen of Hearts — orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and Champagne — lifted spirits even further.

Attendees at this party are encouraged to work the room, with passed hors d'oeuvres like honey walnut shrimp, spicy chili chicken, mini caprese skewers, and mini brisket mac and cheese circulating as they move from table to table. An assortment of chocolate-covered cheesecake lollipops satiated sweet tooths.

Everyone's favorite food station also returned, supplying peckish guests with vegetable fried rice served alongside chopsticks in iconic Asian to-go boxes.

The Special Edition Band kept everyone hyped and eventually drew those ready to bust a move onto the dance floor.

Spotted enjoying the evening were Anuka Dhaka, Dallas CASA president and CEO Kathleen M. LaValle, Cody Lo, Valeria Reynosa, Ella Parlor, Brittany and David Dancer, Caroline Welch, Jack Barczak, Tyler Givens, Amanda Hunnicutt, Tyler Conell, Jonathan and Christine Bassham, Whitney Lawson, Whitney Hissong, Grant Wiley, Katie Pancione, Belle Dixon, Henry Kumpf, Melony Trementozzi, Lea Caprice, Anthony Zeek, Emma Bryan, Shea and Griffin Mikah, Nikki Nolan, Lauren Sands, Thea Wilson, Taylor Johnson, Hannah Larrabee, and Maddie Rhone.

As guests departed, they were gifted a late-night snack of Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits (why can't all events end like this?).

Since 1979, Dallas CASA has been advocating in the community and the courtroom for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are living in the protective care of the state. You can learn more about the nonprofit and donate here.

Photo by Jim Cowen, Grapevine Photography

CASAblanca co-chairs Amanda Rodriguez, Brooke Donelson, Hannah Harpole

fundraisers young professionals galas

Fundraising fun

Dallas’ Night at the Museum gala brings in $2M for Perot programs

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

On Saturday, November 8, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science opened its doors, after hours, for one of Dallas’ most anticipated galas of fall: Night at the Museum.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

Led by co-chairs Shelly and Michael Dee in honor of Sally and Forrest Hoglund, the 2025 Night at the Museum immersed guests in a science-y wonderland of interactive exhibits, fun cocktails, unique cuisine, and more.

Guests agreed: The couldn't-miss highlight of the evening was the 10-Minute Restaurant, which transformed the museum gift shop into a five-star culinary adventure by Wolfgang Puck Catering, reminiscent of how they serve celebrities at the Oscars. Amid all the night's action, it was a great way to sneak in a quick bite and some one-on-one time with a date in a VIP-like setting.

Attendees also noshed from a Living Crudité Bar, an Off the Bone beef station, a paella station, enjoyed "roaming tiramisu," and stopped servers in their tracks for the famous Night at the Museum pot pies. No one went thirsty, either, as guests sipped creative cocktails like Sorbete de Sangria de Cava and the sparkling “Aqua Pearl,” enjoyed a 196 Vodka Seltzer Bar, and a refueled at a coffee cart that opened at the after-party.

Guests got to dig like paleontologists at the Paleo Lab, ooh and ahh at the sparking Aquamarine on the display in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, and learn all about little creepy-crawlies in the Bug Lab Exhibit. Another favorite activity was the Iris Photography, which turned photos of the human eye into works of art.

In total, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to help fund field trips, outreach, discounted admission and memberships to the Perot, and more.

Among the notable attendees were Margot Perot, Dr. Linda Silver, Marilynn Thoma, Carl Thoma, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, David and Mary Henderson, Katie and Jerome Rose, Lyda Hill, Cade McCarter, DeWitt McCarter, Kelly Compton, Kenna McCarter, John Sughrue, Marlene Sughrue, Kate and Steve Sigfusson, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, Grace Cook, Laura Compton, Angus Mitchell, Rachel Mitchell, Martine and Michael Philippe, and many more patrons and supporters.

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