Unlocking Hope

Edward Norton helps Dallas nonprofit raise funds to the tune of $1.16M

What: Austin Street Center's 25th annual Humble Beginnings Luncheon

Where: The Hilton Anatole

The 411: More than 850 guests gathered on Friday, October 3, in celebration of Austin Street Center’s mission to end homelessness in North Texas.

Four-time Academy Award nominee Edward Norton headlined the nonprofit's signature event, which was presented by Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt and themed "Unlocking Hope."

In addition to being an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, Norton is also a long-time affordable housing advocate. He inspired attendees through a conversation with NBC 5's Brittney Johnson, telling stories from his work in housing justice and philanthropy, and helped drive a record-breaking finish by pledging to match the auction winner’s $10,000 bid for a Vega Longneck banjo.

Austin Street Humble Beginnings 2025 Brittney Johnson and Edward Norton.Photo courtesy of @atalisamuelphotography

Photo courtesy of @atalisamuelphotography

Sumner Billingsley Tolbert, Scott Tolbert, Edward Norton.

The funds raised will drive awareness around the issue of homelessness and how Austin Street Center has been working diligently to bring solutions and partnerships that help the city’s most vulnerable population find a permanent place to call home.

The Hon. Jeanne L. Phillips was honored with the Norm Hitzges Distinguished Service Award for how she champions Austin Street's mission at home and on the world stage through fundraising, strategic leadership, and heartfelt advocacy.

H-E-B received the Community Leadership Awardee, recognizing its commitment to serving our region’s most vulnerable through disaster relief, hunger programs, and other critical community initiatives.

“Celebrating 25 years of Humble Beginnings was an incredible reminder of the power of hope, generosity, and community,” said Daniel Roby, CEO of Austin Street Center. “Edward Norton’s message and kindness helped us exceed our goal and strengthen our mission to end homelessness in Dallas. The success of this year’s luncheon ensures we can continue providing essential care and pathways to permanent housing for those who need it most.”

Norton's generosity helped Austin Street Center surpass its $1.1 million goal, raising an incredible $1.16 million in total.

Attendees: Norm Hitzges, Lynn McBee, Barbara Adams, Catherine Bruff, Linda Roby, Julie Glasgow, Betty Culbreath, Frank Mihalopoulos, Carolyn Miller, Mary Ellen Lacy, Hailey Neher, Mary Danz Hitzges, Jennifer Atchison, Shalaundria Davis, Jennifer Sampson, Jeffrey Netzer, Kaileigh Johnson, Mabrie Jackson, Winell Herron, Maggie Phillips Abbott, Calee Landen, Diane Landen, Mary Tabor, Delia Johnson, Misaki Collins, Nakita Johnson, Steve Trese, Michael Cleaver, Sumner Billingsley Tolbert and Scott Tolbert.

Under The Big Top

Big top Red Tie Gala raises $275K+ for cancer support in North Texas

Photo by Kim Leeson and Nate Rehlander

Clay Cane, Kerry Perez, Erik and Christin Stanford, Mercy and Jeff Benshetier, Samantha Avila, Bianca Boehrs, Michelle Ison, Nicki Schafer.

WHAT: Cancer Support Community North Texas' 5th annual Red Tie Gala

WHERE: On The Levee

WHEN: November 15, 2025

THE 411: More than 300 supporters gathered for Cancer Support Community North Texas’ fifth annual Red Tie Gala, an Under the Big Top-themed evening that raised more than $275,000 to support free mental health and social services for people living with cancer and their families across North Texas.

CSCNT CEO Mirchelle Louis and gala co-chairs Dr. Korie Flippo and Matt Tribolet welcomed guests to the milestone event, which began with a VIP reception for top sponsors that featured signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music by Signed Sealed Delivered.

Red Tie Gala Dallas 2025 More than 300 people packed On The Levee.Photo by Kim Leeson and Nate Rehlander

Photo by Kim Leeson and Nate Rehlander

Clay Cane, Kerry Perez, Erik and Christin Stanford, Mercy and Jeff Benshetier, Samantha Avila, Bianca Boehrs, Michelle Ison, Nicki Schafer.

Circus-inspired entertainment set the tone early, with a juggler, stilt-walker, and aerialist mingling among guests as they arrived in elevated circus-themed attire. Inside the ballroom, the space was transformed into a Big Top, complete with costumed circus animals roaming the crowd.

As guests enjoyed dinner from tapas-style stations, NBC5 Texas Today host Cleo Greene took the stage to underscore the importance of CSCNT’s mission, noting the growing need for mental health and support services amid ongoing healthcare funding challenges.

Louis followed with thanks to sponsors and supporters before presenting the organization’s THRIVE Award to longtime advocates Dave Ashworth and Janet Moll, honoring more than two decades of leadership and philanthropy tied to CSCNT’s founding and growth.

Red Tie Gala Dallas 2025 THRIVE award recipients Janet Moll and Dave Ashworth.Photo by Kim Leeson and Nate Rehlander

A lively live auction and paddle raise, led by auctioneer John Beasley, helped drive the evening’s fundraising success. The program also featured deeply moving moments, including a video spotlighting a CSCNT participant and firsthand remarks from a metastatic breast cancer patient whose story brought the room to a standstill, representing the thousands served by the organization each year.

The night concluded with dancing, late-night sweets, and continued bidding in the silent auction, with Signed Sealed Delivered keeping the celebration going well after the formal program ended.

Celebrating more than 20 years in Dallas–Fort Worth, Cancer Support Community North Texas operates three clubhouses serving Dallas, Tarrant, and Collin counties and, through its affiliation with the national Cancer Support Community, is part of the largest professionally led nonprofit cancer support network in the world, dedicated to ensuring no one faces cancer alone. All services are completely free, offering people with cancer and their families education, psychological support, networking, children’s programs, workshops, and other resources to help them live with cancer and thrive beyond it.

WHO: Andrea Ellis, Melissa Flynn, Ben Crockett, Elise McMillin, Claire Williams, Cameron Fallon, Clay Cane, Kerry Perez, Erik and Christin Stanford, Mercy and Jeff Benshetier, Samantha Avila, Bianca Boehrs, Michelle Ison, Nicki Schafer, Eric and Emily Przybysz, Evan and Sarah McKee, Lindsey and Clint Encinias, Jennifer Potter, Katie Petras, Amanda Vaughan, Ken Harris, Matt and Julia Pickett, Rick Coulson, Nicki Schafer, Michelle Ison, Shawn Johnson, Mary Jones, Zachary Gadd, and Courtney Lyons.

fundraisers red tie gala cancer support community galas