Tex Gala 2024

Texas Rangers shatter record with $2.5 million haul at grand-slam gala

Texas Rangers players, staff, and fans stepped right up to a State Fair-themed 2024 TEX Gala on Monday, April 22 at Globe Life Field. The sights, sounds, and tastes of the fair filled the outfield turf, where 1,500 attendees assembled to support the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

The evening started with a VIP Reception, presented by American Airlines in the American Lounge, where patrons mingled with National Baseball Hall of Famer Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez, who received his World Series Championship Ring during the reception.

VIPs included a who's who of Rangers stars and their dates: World Series MVP Corey Seager and Mady Seager, Max Scherzer and Erica Scherzer, Nathaniel Lowe and Brenna Karwich, Wyatt Langford, Josh Jung, Jon Gray and Jacklyn Gray, Andrew Heaney and Jordan Heaney, Andrew Knizner and Ally Rahn, Cody Bradford and Madi Bradford, Davis Wendzel and Rachel Wendzel, Dane Dunning and Rachel Dunning, David Robertson and Erin Robertson, Evan Carter and Kaylen Carter, Jacob deGrom and Stacey deGrom, Josh Sborz and Alexis Sborz, Josh Smith and Claire Smith, Michael Lorenzen and Cassi Lorenzen, Travis Jankowski and Lindsey Jankowski, Tyler Mahle and Ashley Mahle, and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and Kim Bochy.

When the West Marketplace gates opened, guests descended on the field for cocktails and carnival-style games in a replica State Fair Midway. Attendees nibbled mini corn dogs and funnel cakes and sipped stout signature cocktails Neon Moon (Jack-and-Coke) and Red Dirt Road (Teremana Tequila and Topo Chico) as they tossed rings and shot hoops, visited a Flea Style custom hat bar, and purchased Kendra Scott mystery boxes.

A silent auction was filled with autographed Rangers and other sports memorabilia, music and Hollywood treasures (a Post Malone-autographed guitar attracted much attention), gift baskets, art, local shopping and dining experiences, and more. While photo opps were plentiful, the most popular stop of the night was a chance to take a pic with the World Series winners' Commissioner's Trophy.

During a seated dinner of Braised Black Angus Teres Major steak with gnocchi, asparagus, and Creme Brulee with Bailey's Mousse, and a brief video about the Texas Rangers Foundation was played. The charitable organization helps fund the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, education-based initiatives and scholarships, community distributions, and military/first responder-focused initiatives. Rangers chairman Neil Leibman and foundation executive director Karin Morris helped underscore the impact it has in the community.

The fundraising efforts ramped up first with a rousing game of "Heads or Tails," followed by a live auction for luxury trips to Cabo and Los Angeles, a VIP experience during the MLB All-Star Week, and more. In a surprise addition, country music star Pat Green took the stage to auction off a private concert; bidding was so fast and furious that he ended up giving away two.

When all the funds were tallied, the 2024 TEX Gala had raised a record $2.5 million for the Texas Rangers Foundation.

To cap off the celebratory night, guests boot-scooted down to the stage for a private concert by Brooks & Dunn. The legendary country music duo played for a full hour (unlike at many charity galas, where the featured performer says goodnight after four or five songs), keeping the crowd singing along to hits like "Neon Moon," "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone," "My Maria," and "Only in America."

Since the first TEX Gala in 2021, the event has raised an impressive $7.975 million for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Texas Rangers

World Series MVP Corey Seager and Mady Seager were among the VIP guests.

celebrities charity sports texas rangers texgala galas

Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.

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Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball