Fundraising with the stars

9 Dallas benefits rolling out the red carpet for hot celebrity headliners this fall

Sheryl Crow headlines the Farrah Fawcett Foundation benefit.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Dallas nonprofits are bringing star power to the table this fall. From an Olympic icon to Emmy- and Grammy-winning actors and singers, from a former First Lady-First Daughter team to a British aristocrat who lives in TV's most popular abbey, these celebrity headliners will no doubt help raise big bucks for local organizations. Here are nine benefits with big stars to add to your calendar.

Christina Ricci recently earned an Emmy nomination for her role in Showtime's Yellowjackets. David Livingston Getty Images

Family Place Trailblazer Awards Luncheon featuring Christina Ricci, September 23
The Dallas-based family violence agency will present its annual Texas Trailblazer Awards with Yellowjackets star Christina Ricci as guest speaker. The 2022 Texas Trailblazer Award Recipient is Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. The luncheon, chaired by Jeanni Barsam, Stacee Johnson-Williams, and Lisa Sherrod, and hosted by Andrea Lucia, will take place at the Omni Dallas; tickets are available here.

Tyra Banks is coming to Chick Lit Luncheon. Tyra Banks Tyra Banks Facebook

Community Partners of Dallas Chick Lit Luncheon featuring Tyra Banks, September 30
Community Partners of Dallas will highlight entrepreneur, supermodel, and Dancing with the Stars host Tyra Banks as the featured speaker of the 16th annual Chick Lit Luncheon. In addition, CPD will recognize Crystal Charity Ball for 70 years of transforming the lives of Dallas County children. Errika Flood-Moultrie and Renita Joyce Smith are event co-chairs, and Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall is the honorary chair for the luncheon, which takes place at the Hilton Anatole; tickets are here.

Allyson Felix is lending support to the Texas Women's Foundation. Allyson Felix Photo courtesy of Allyson Felix

Texas Women’s Foundation Luncheon featuring Allyson Felix, October 6
Texas Women’s Foundation’s 37th Annual Luncheon will star Allyson Felix, who reigns as the most decorated American Track & Field Athlete of all time after winning bronze and gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Dallas Mavericks President and CEO Cynt Marshall will moderate a conversation with Felix about her work transforming communities across the world and helping the next generation of mothers and athletes. Laura Nieto and Rachel Vinson are luncheon co-chairs. Tickets for the event, taking place at the Hilton Anatole, are available here.

Laura Bush and daughter Barbara are raising awareness about homelessness in Dallas. Laura Bush delivers the keynote address. Photo by Grant Miller

Austin Street Center Humble Beginnings Luncheon featuring Laura and Barbara Bush, October 14
Austin Street Center will present former First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Barbara Bush for a conversation about their life of service for its 22nd annual Humble Beginnings Luncheon. The event will help to raise funds to support Austin Street Center's role in providing safe shelter and basic needs to those experiencing homelessness in Dallas. This year’s luncheon will bestowing Dallas mayor Eric Johnson with its Public Service Award and present Carolyn Lacy Miller with its Norm Hitzges Distinguished Award. Event co-chairs are Jay McAuley and Frank Mihalopoulos. Tickets to the luncheon at the Hilton Anatole are available here.

Lady Fiona Carnarvon lives at 'Downtown Abbey's' Highclere Castle. Lady Fiona Carnarvon at Highclere Castle. Courtesy photo

A Writer’s Garden: Tales from Highclere Castle featuring Lady Carnarvon, October 18
Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s 16th Annual A Writer’s Garden is themed “Tales From Highclere Castle.” The event celebrates the 25th Anniversary of A Woman’s Garden and features Lady Fiona Carnarvon, The Right Honorable Countess of Carnarvon. She will discuss living at Highclere Castle (where Downton Abbey is filmed) and her newest book, Seasons at Highclere. The event is chaired by Dyann Skelton and Therese Rourk with Donna and Herb Weitzman as honorary chairs. The reception, presentation, and luncheon takes place at the Arboretum and tickets are available here.

Linda Gray helps support the Farrah Fawcett Foundation. Linda Gray Photo courtesy of USA Film Festival

Farrah Fawcett Foundation Tex-Mex Fiesta featuring Sheryl Crow, October 20
The Farrah Fawcett Foundation will present the 4th biennial Tex-Mex Fiesta benefit. Music superstar Sheryl Crow will be the headliner. President and CEO of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation and Farrah's long-time friend Alana Stewart will be co-hosting along with Farrah's former Charlie’s Angels co-star Jaclyn Smith. Honorees include Linda Gray (of TV’s Dallas) and a special acknowledgement to Ryan O’Neal for his continued support of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation. Tickets for the 6 pm event, taking place at The Rustic, are available here.

Patricia Arquette will help celebrate women in Dallas. We chatted with Boyhood star Patricia Arquette on the red carpet during the Texas Film Awards. Boyhood/Facebook

Baylor Celebrating Women Luncheon featuring Patricia Arquette, October 21
Baylor Health Care Foundation will present the 23rd Celebrating Women Luncheon. This event, at the Hilton Anatole, brings together more than 1,300 supporters to increase awareness and generate funding for breast cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment. The featured guest will be actress and activist Patricia Arquette. Co-chairs are Marybeth Conlon and Elizabeth Gambrell; honorary chairs are Gene Jones, Charlotte Jones, Karen Jones, and Lori Jones. Tickets are available here.

Julia Ormond will speak at the New Friends, New Life Luncheon. Julia Ormond Photo courtesy of Julia Ormond

New Friends New Life Luncheon featuring Julia Ormand, November 4
New Friends New Life will present its annual luncheon featuring Julia Ormond, a British Emmy Award-winning stage, film, and television actress who has been fighting human trafficking since the 1990s. Luncheon co-chairs are Katherine Wynne, Kristi Sherrill Hoyl, and Melissa Sherrill Martin. Honorary co-chairs are Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk. Tickets for the luncheon, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, are available here.

Jim Caviezel starred in 'The Passion of the Christ.' Jim Caviezel Photo courtesy of Council for Life

Council for Life presents Celebrating Life Luncheon ft. Jim Caviezel, November 14
The 21st annual Council for Life Celebrating Life Luncheon aims to fund over $1 million 28 beneficiaries. The event's speaker is actor Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. The event will honor Norma Hunt and Tavia and Clark Hunt as this year’s luncheon honorary co-chairs. Billye Turner and Kelli Karlow are the event co-chairs. Tickets to the luncheon at the Hilton Anatole are available here.

celebrities luncheons galas fundraisers charity

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

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