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

Jenifer Longhofer, Jana Williams, Jamie Oliver.

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

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.

museums fundraisers galas