Opa!

Dallas goddesses descend on Arboretum for big, fat Greek Mad Hatter's 2024

Dallas' most over-the-top spring luncheon, Mad Hatter's 2024, brought out more sorority sisters, goddesses, and Olympic dreamers than a Panhellenic party during Rush Week at SMU. (Well, almost.)

With the theme "Gardens of Greece," event chair Allison Brodnax hoped to transport guests from the already-beautiful Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden to the absolutely stunning Greek isles.

"When I think of Greece, I think of gorgeous flowers, delicious food, friendly people, and a lively spirit," she wrote in the event program.

Check, check, check, and check.

More than 520 guests at the April 18 soiree mingled around the Ginsburg Plaza to take selfies and group portraits, pausing just long enough to fuel up with Greek Mojitos and Santorini Sunrise cocktails and nibble on passed spanakopita triangles.

Attendees took the theme very seriously: There were entire groups of toga-clad Grecian goddesses topped with gold crowns, lots of Olympic flag-adorned hats, laurel wreaths, and even a few full bridal veils as a nod to My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Small crowds formed around the silent auction tables, featuring fabulous trips, local shopping experiences, jewelry, and more. A photo booth sponsored by longtime event supporters Lisa Meyer and Venise Stuart was a popular stop, too.

When it was time to gather inside Rosine Hall, elegant emcee Cleo Greene, WFAA/Channel 8 anchor-reporter, opened the festivities and championed the work of the Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum, this year led by president Karen Sargent. Sargent, Brodnax, and Mad Hatter's honorary chair Barbara Bigham encouraged attendees to visit the event's beneficiary, A Woman's Garden.

In a surprise announcement, Sargent revealed that the Women's Council this summer will embark on a major project in A Woman's Garden: restructuring and redeveloping the 25-year-old Pecan Parterre.

"We're going to be adding all-new accessible walkways, beautiful new trees, and a variety of plantings," she said, adding that a reopening celebration would take place in the fall.

Following remarks, a fashion presentation produced by Jan Strimple showcased looks from NorthPark Center that gave serious summer-yacht vacation vibes. Guests could follow along on the handy printed "fashion menu" and circle the looks they loved (shown on statuesque female models and a couple male models who proved very popular with the giddy crowd). Fashions were from NorthPark retailers Etro, Scanlan Theodore, Ted Baker London, St. John, and Nordstrom, with beauty by Byredo.

The highlight of Mad Hatter's each year is the hat competition, adjudicated by celebrity judges who pick winners in several cleverly named categories:

Kristen Gibbins, general manager of NorthPark Center, presented the "Greek Mythology" prize to Elizabeth Smith. Smith's Mount Olympus "12 Greek Gods in the Clouds" hat featured real smoke.

Kameron Westcott, television personality, influencer and entrepreneur, presented the "Greek Life" (Sorority) award to mother-daughter team (and Chi Omega legacies) Mackenzie Oman and Cindy Williams.

Nathan Johnson, creative director and owner of Gro Designs, presented the award for "Best Botanical Using Fresh Flowers" to Dr. Linda Burk.

Sabina Carr, CEO of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, presented the "Olympic Games" prize to Kristen Scott, Sarah Fletcher, and Karen Schaffer. (Of course, the "Olympic fanfare" played as they walked on stage to accept their prize ribbons.)

Esé Azenabor-Grembowski, owner and creative director/head designer for namesake brand Esé Azenabor, presented the award for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" to Tammany Stern. Not only did Stern's hat showcase key elements of the film - including a real Bundt cake that she baked herself - but she carried around a bottle of Windex as an accessory.

Patti Flowers, owner and chief designer of the Patti Flowers Design Studio, presented "Greek Goddesses" prizes to Deborah McKeever’s group of Sea Goddesses and Reagan Pace’s group of My Greek College Life. While McKeever's group stuck closely to the theme, Pace's friends topped hats with beer pong cups.

Clouds blotted out the bright, sunny skies, but rain held off as attendees sat down to lunch under tents and around the patio surrounding Rosine Hall.

At tables set with dainty blue and white damask table clothes topped with gorgeous pink florals compliments of Gro Designs and Central Market, guests dined on a Mediterranean-inspired feast of Greek veggies, couscous, and tabooli; lemon chicken with fresh herbs and artichoke sauce; mini tarts for dessert; and plenty of hummus and pita for the table. Wine stewards kept glasses filled with crisp white wine and Mumm Sparkling brut and rose.

Attendees adjusted their hats for some final photos, scooped up adorable J. Rae's cookies in the shapes of lemons and olive branches, and picked up their swag bags filled with goodies from Eataly and even a tiny bottle of limoncello.

Celebrating its 36th year, Mad Hatter's Luncheon has been an ongoing fundraising event sponsored by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Money raised assist with the development, growth and maintenance of A Woman’s Garden, a major garden at the Arboretum.

Photo by Thomas Garza and Rob Wythe

Mackenzie Oman and Cindy Williams, winners of "Greek Life (Sorority)"

charity galas gardening luncheons mad hatters 2024 northpark center spring luncheon

Coffee news

Starbucks partners bestow $53K in grants to favorite Dallas nonprofits

Courtesy

Chalkboard at Starbucks celebrates Resource Center.

In a one-of-a-kind charitable program, coffee giant Starbucks has bestowed more than two dozen grants to organizations across Dallas — organizations selected by Starbucks employees themselves.

Called The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, it's unique as a charitable effort thanks to its profound level of engagement, by allowing employees to nominate nonprofit recipients.

The Starbucks Foundation is the company's charitable arm which issues grants to nonprofits — from coffee and tea-growing communities around the world to neighborhood groups.

The Neighborhood Grants program gives their "partners" (what they call their employees) the opportunity to support the local organizations they care most about. This year, more than 3,200 grants are being awarded across the U.S. and Canada. Of that number, 27 organizations in Dallas received a Neighborhood Grant, totaling $53,000.

That included a $4,000 grant to Resource Center, a Dallas provider of LGBTQIA+ services and a big Starbucks staff favorite: It was nominated by an unprecedented 40 partners, and has previously earned seven grants totaling $20,000 from The Starbucks Foundation since 2019.

Resource Center's director of corporate engagement & events Bill Scott says that the grant is part of a larger meaningful partnership.

"In the current climate, we've seen many corporations turn away from our community, but Starbucks has remained steadfast," Scott says. "And we see it in ways that go beyond the grants, whether it's volunteering at our food bank or being ready for any fundraising event where they'll set up a coffee station to distribute to our guests."

Founded in 1983, Resource Center focuses on three pillars: positive social engagement in safe spaces, supportive services to promote wellness, and skill-building opportunities to promote growth.

Resource Center accepts grant from Starbucks Foundation, from left to right: Bill Scott (RC), Daniel Sanchez (RC), Tres Brown (RC), and Howard Jackson (SBUX).Jeffrey McWhorter

"The grant will help us continue to serve and uplift our community with more programming in areas like health and wellness," Scott says. "Last year, we opened our first low-income affordable housing complex for seniors, and before it even opened, it was sold out. We can see that the services we provide fill a real need."

It's a rare scenario in the corporate world, Scott says.

"There are not many companies I have dealt with like the Starbucks Foundation where they rely on their partners to make recommendations and listen to their partners," he says.

For Starbucks partners like Marsh King, an operations consultation manager who's been with the company for nearly 28 years, Starbucks' priority on being mission-driven has been a big incentive to stay with the company.

"When you see a grant that might give Resource Center the funds to do something like buy more refrigeration for the food pantry they just opened — it's gratifying to see that direct impact and know that you're a part of it," she says.

The level of engagement is very grass-roots, says senior partner employee relations associate Howard Jackson.

"We have customers who come in and say, 'I saw you at that event last weekend," he says. "We support the community, and they are our customers, as well. Through this work, we connect a lot of dots."

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