Treats For Everyone

Best friends raise half a million for SPCA of Texas at Dallas gala

Nothing brings people together quite like cuddly puppies, and there were plenty to hold, snuggle, and coo over at the SPCA of Texas' Fur Ball on October 4.

The Fur Ball is DFW’s salute to the bond between people and their pets. It's also a celebration of the SPCA of Texas’ important mission to provide animals with exceptional care and loving homes. It was presented this year by Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers and chaired by Katy and Lawrence Bock.

More than 450 of the nonprofit's “best friends” gathered at the Frontiers of Flight Museum near Love Field to raise funds for this mission — while also having a heck of a good time.

After posing for photos and viewing a video of one of SPCA of Texas' most inspiring success stories, a pup named Asher, guests headed upstairs for cocktails and event's main draw: the Cuddle Zone.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2024 The Cuddle Zone is always a popular part of cocktail hour.Photo by Thomas Garza

Photo by Thomas Garza

Whitney Eichinger, Britney and Jerald Prince.

Sponsored by VCA Animal Hospitals, the Cuddle Zone offered sleepy and soft puppies to nuzzle, and that also happened to be available for adoption.

When people weren't trying to convince their spouse to take home a pup or two, they were browsing the silent auction items, which included plenty of animal-themed baskets, restaurant gift cards, beauty certificates, home decor items, and lots of art. A watercolor artist was even live-painting patrons' pets in exchange for a donation.

Dinnertime brought everyone downstairs to the glittery, purple-themed room. Suspended above the circular main bar was a giant hot air balloon holding a whimsically illustrated cat and dog.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2024 The Frontiers of Flight Museum was decked out in the SPCA of Texas' signature purple.Photo by Thomas Garza

Sat down to a delicious dinner of pear and goat cheese salad, a duo of achiote grilled filet of beef and tequila roasted shrimp, and chipotle cheddar potato cake with citrus steamed asparagus. Alternating desserts — vanilla cake trifle with plum stone fruit and blueberry coulis and a flourless Belgian chocolate cake — were a sweet finale.

Emcee and NBC 5 news anchor Bryan Curtis began the program with one of the Cuddle Zone puppies in his arms, reminding guests of the evening's purpose.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2024 Emcee Brian Curtis.Photo by Thomas Garza

SPCA of Texas president and CEO Chris Luna entreated the crowd to give generously to provide life-saving care for animals in need, before thanking décor chair Kristin Hallam, auction co-chairs Cindy Lindsley and Sandra Fite, and the host committee.

Auctioneer Morgan Hopson led a heated live auction as guests bid often and high on the evening’s seven items.

These included a seven-night stay at the Casa Villa Blanca in San Miguel de Allende, a two-in-one getaway to Santa Fe and Napa, and a priceless package focused on the animals and for the animals, featuring a behind-the-scenes tour of the SPCA of Texas with president Chris Luna, and much more.

The paddle raise, Pony Up for Paws, kicked off with a $50K challenge match thanks to the Roberta Wright Reeves Trust, and donors were gifted with glittering sparkle rings as a small token of thanks. The match was immediately met by generous donors.

SPCA of Texas board chair Hiren Patel then thanked the board of directors, staff, and volunteers for their tireless support, work, and dedication to the animals and the organization’s mission before guests then poured onto the dance floor with headline entertainment by Georgia Bridgwater Orchestra.

SPCA of Texas Fur Ball 2024 The Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra got the crowd dancing.Photo by Thomas Garza

Seen getting down on the dance floor were Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia, Holly and Phillip Huffines, Lisa and Clay Cooley, Steve and Sunie Solomon, Hal and Diane Brierley, Paul and Cathy Brown, Steve Atkinson and Ted Kincaid, Dr. Richard Gray and Marsha Pendleton-Gray, Mary and Arnold Spencer, Whitney Eichinger, and Courtney and Brandon Roane.

The Fur Ball raised more than $490,000, all of which goes directly to the SPCA of Texas to help rescue, heal, and find homes for thousands of animals. Fur Ball 2025 will be chaired by Kristin Hallam, with a date to be announced.

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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