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 Tamytha Cameron, Celeste Cass & Nate Rehlander

Sunie Solomon, Danaree Allgood, Alma Nachawati, Megan Williamson.

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.

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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.