Glow For a Cause

Rita Wilson inspires Dallas philanthropists to blossom at Chick Lit lunch

A veritable field of florals, pastels, and bright, bold colors sprouted in and around the Hilton Anatole's Trinity Ballroom on March 22 for Community Partners of Dallas' 18th annual Chick Lit Luncheon.

Chaired by Cathy James and Lisa Ogle with honorary chair Christine McKenny, and presented by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel, the springtime soiree drew more than 1,000 attendees who were as passionate about fundraising as they were seeing special guest Rita Wilson.

VIPs arrived early that morning for a Champagne meet-and-greet with the actress, singer/songwriter, and producer (who also happens to be married to Tom Hanks), as the rest of the guests enjoyed a wine reception while browsing the raffle prizes. Those fabulous items included a Dolce & Gabbana logo flap leather shoulder bag courtesy of Neiman Marcus; two business class round-trip tickets from Dallas to Paris with Air France; a getaway to Los Angeles with airfare from Delta Air Lines and two nights of accommodation; a $2,500 Eiseman Jewels gift card; a Texas Rangers package; and a night of dinner and drinks for 10 at Pizzana Dallas.

Attendees then took their seats as the co-chairs introduced Community Partners of Dallas' president and CEO, Joanna Clarke, and explained the nonprofit's mission.

Since 1989, CPD has ensured safety and restored dignity and hope to abused and neglected children by providing crucial resources and support to the caseworkers of Dallas County Child Protective Services. Funds raised at the luncheon help provide items such as winter coats, diapers and formula, holiday gifts, school uniforms, personal hygiene products, food, car seats, and more.

CPD serves 20,000 abused and neglected children annually. This year's luncheon even set a new record for sponsorships, while the afternoon's Fund the Need campaign brought in additional gifts of all sizes, from $135 to $10,000.

Author and event sponsor Dr. Stacie Stephenson was also in attendance with her two best-selling books, Glow: 90 Days to Create Your Vibrant Life From Within and Vibrant: A Groundbreaking Program to Get Energized, Own Your Health, and Glow. Each attendee's gift bag contained copies to take home.

Before the crowd began enjoying their lunch of Greek salad and blackberry glazed cheesecake, there was a special surprise: One lucky winner discovered two complimentary roundtrip first class tickets to anywhere in the continental 48 on Delta Airlines hidden under her chair. Spotted among those searching were Maggie Kipp, Nancy Gopez, Sunie Solomon, Megan Williamson, Christie Houser, Erika Burton, Christine Pederson, Jana Williams, Jenifer Longhofer, Teffy Jacobs, Holly Huffines, Leigh Anne Haugh, Kristin Hallam, and Brynn Dent, among others.

A video highlighted the tremendous support of the 2024 Paige McDaniel Partners for Children Award recipient, Capital for Kids. Clarke presented the award to Capital for Kids founders Dawn Blankenship, Eliot Raffkind, and Reid Walker as recognition for the organization’s commitment to the philanthropic needs of our community, as well as their years of service meeting the needs of abused and neglected children through CPD.

Then, the main event: Three-time Emmy Award and Associated Press award-winning journalist Laura Harris, from NBC5, led a charmingly candid conversation with Wilson. They covered everything from the multi-hyphenate's Greek and Bulgarian heritage and her very first acting role on The Brady Bunch to her album of duets with such artists as Jackson Brown, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, Josh Groban, Tim McGraw, Smokey Robinson, and more.

Photo by Kelly Alexander

Chick Lit Luncheon co-chair Lisa Ogle, CPD president and CEO Joanna Clarke, Rita Wilson, NBC5's Laura Harris, Chick Lit Luncheon co-chair Cathy James.

The most memorable moment of the lightning round? Harris asking, "If you could only choose one designer clothing to wear for the rest of your life on your body, who would it be?" and Wilson replying without hesitation, "Spanx!"

The next Chick Lit Luncheon is set for March 28, 2025. For more information on Community Partners of Dallas, visit www.communitypartnersdallas.org.

fundraisers charity celebrities luncheons

Hoops & Dreams

Dallas Mavericks Foundation nets record $2.1 million at 2025 Mavs Ball

Dallas Mavericks Foundation Mavs Ball 2025

Photo by Dallas Mavericks Photography

PJ Washington Jr. and Alisah Washington

In a Dallas Mavericks season that's been a wild ride for fans, the 2025 Mavs Ballwould be a bright spot on the calendar. Nothing, it seemed, could rain on the parade of the Dallas Mavericks Foundation's annual black-tie gala that raises millions for good causes in the community.

And then it actually down-poured.

The event took place at the new Silo music venue in the Design District on Sunday, March 2 - the night of a brief but torrential late-winter thunderstorm. Serendipitously, the dress code for the 10th annual Mavs Ball had been "Tuxedos & TENnies," and those who wore sneakers with their ballgowns and tuxes left relatively unscathed as they navigated puddles that had accumulated on the blue carpet outside the venue while they were inside having fun.

At least it had been dry and pleasant for the arrival of 700 guests and VIPs - including Mavericks stars, former players, coaches, and staff - who posed for photos and gave interviews on the blue carpet during a cocktail reception under a glass-top tent. New faces at the event this year included players Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, Kessler Edwards, Caleb Martin, and new Mavs CEO Rick Welts. Also in attendance were Mavs head coach Jason Kidd, legend Shawn Marion, and fan-favorites Kyrie Irving, Dwight Powell, PJ Washington, Derek Lively II, and more.

Patrons sipped champagne, bid on silent auction items (heavy on autographed Mavs memorabilia, of course), and got the first fun chances to contribute to the Mavericks Foundation’s mission to uplift women, children, and families in need. A "Sneaker Pull," for example, allowed guests to purchase a mystery pair of shoes from a collection of game-worn, autographed, and player-edition sneakers.

At the appointed time, the crowd filled the Silo "ballroom," which had been bathed in blue light and filled with elegant blue and white-hued floral arrangements and towering candelabras. The evening's emcees, local award-winning sportscasters Dana Larson and Mark Followill, oversaw a high-energy program that began with player introductions befitting of a stadium. (And to address the elephant in the room, no, there was no mention at all of any player who'd recently exited the team.)

Lucky patrons at the big sponsor tables, including Shiftkey, AT&T, Lexus, Kroger, and Chime, got the chance to sit with favorite players during dinner. While the room nibbled on a multicourse meal of spinach-strawberry salad, pan-seared Chilean sea bass and filet mignon, and homemade shortcake or layered chocolate cake for dessert, wine stewards carrying full bottles of Kendall-Jackson never let glasses run dry.

New Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont thanked Dallas for the warm welcome he and his family had received in town. Mavs Foundation president Katie Edwards, Rick Welts, and Shawn Marion led a toast to 10 years of Mavs Balls and underscored the foundation's mission to provide grants to deserving local nonprofits: Agape Clinic, Child Poverty Action Lab, Equest, First Responders Children's Foundation, Genesis Women's Shelter, Girls Inc. Tarrant County, Girlstart, Hope Cottage, HopeKids, It's a Sensory World!, Jubilee Park and Community Center, Mosaic Family Services, Texas Advocacy Project, Texas Native Health, Viola's House, Wipe Out Kids Cancer, and YMCA Metropolitan Dallas.

After dinner, a rousing game of "Heads or Tails" offered one lucky winner the chance for a suite experience at an upcoming Mavericks game. But when it came down to the final two contestants, Kyrie Irving and a woman named "Kyla," the Mavs star kindly forfeited to give her the win. After all, his place during games is on the court. (Except, sadly, the next night he would suffer a season-compromising ACL tear.)

The live auction, led by auctioneer Dean McCurry, saw heated competition for experiences that got folks up-close-and-personal with the Mavs, including a meet-and-greet with Anthony Davis and the chance to play "Legos with Lively" (Derek Lively II, who is a self-proclaimed "king of Legos"), or "Kicks with Kyrie" bespoke sneaker package. Forget those $3,000 starting bids; these items were going for $20,000, $50,000, even $100,000.

When the final numbers had been tallied, the total hit a record $2.14 million, breezing past the goal of $2 million announced earlier in the night.

To celebrate, the crowd filled the dance floor and danced the night away to the music of Emerald City Band.

Photo by Dallas Mavericks Photography

PJ Washington Jr. and Alisah Washington

sports celebrities galas