Things were just starting to ramp up Wednesday, October 16, all around town with events saluting the underwriters and patrons for upcoming events. It’s always nice to see major supporters receive a pat on the back in advance.
Janet and Jeff Beck
Hope For Humanity Patrons Party
Janet and Jeff Beck’s collection of art ranges from a handmade, coin-laden headdress from a remote village in Thailand to a Peter Max Statue of Liberty and everything in between. But they all share a common denominator — each has a story behind its acquisition.
Headdress from Thailand
The Becks opened their Addison showplace for the patrons of the October 30th Hope for Humanity Dinner benefiting the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance.
Don and Carol Glendenning, Mary Pat Higgins and Hylton Jonas
Hylton Jonas, who’s chairing the museum’s board, and CEO Mary Pat Higgins revealed that they were undertaking some very big projects.
First they will be focusing on education, both about the Holocaust and working with students on how to respond to hatred and prejudice.
Second, they’re in the initial stages of planning and designing a new, larger facility. Presently their exhibition space is 2,500 square feet. Plans call for a 10,000-square-foot exhibition area inside a 50,000-square-foot building. Whereas the organization hosts 50,000 visitors annually now, their plan projects the new facility handle 450,000 each year.
Hylton and Mary Pat stressed that in addition to the Holocaust, the focus would be on human and civil rights and other forms of genocide.
Currently in the “pre-silent” phase, they’re analyzing fundraising capabilities. Have they selected a site for the new building? Not yet, but they’re working with California designer Michael Berenbaum, who is well-known for his work creating similar facilities.
Urban Revival Underwriters Party
Margaret Keliher and Mina Cunningham
Over in Preston Hollow it was a case of little houses in a big house to benefit many houses. Cameron and Clay Smith hosted the underwriters party for the November 7th Urban Revival benefiting the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.
While Crayton Webb stood by the window talking with Lester Keliher and looking out the window for wife Nikki to arrive, Margaret Keliher joined Mina Cunningham on a couch, with a display of designer birdhouses on a nearby table. Each one had its own unique look and just hinted at the collection that will be auctioned off at the Trinity Groves fundraiser.
Birdhouses
In the kitchen Darin Kunz revealed that DIFFA is changing directions slightly for the 2014 gala. Yes, Simona Beal will be the honorary chair, but the March 29th black tie fundraiser will take place at the Omni Dallas Hotel. As for the November 7th Dallas Holiday Wreath Collection fundraiser, it will be held at Dallas Market Hall.
Circle of Angels Dinner
Caren Kline thanking guests in the Pecan Room
Closer to downtown Dallas, the annual Crystal Charity Ball Circle of Angels dinner was underway at Old Parkland’s Pecan Room in the Nurses Quarters. Before settling down to an out-of-this-world seated supper (First course — roasted beet salad with herb garlic goat cheese, marcom almonds with green apple vinaigrette; main course — 44 Farms Black Angus tenderloin with savory granola, lemon-basil risotto and squash with madeira sauce; Dessert — Espresso bittersweet chocolate pate with white chocolate ice cream) by Cassandra, the crowd filled the magnificent room. With its marvelous collection of paintings and collectibles, the two-story Pecan Room with its huge fireplace is simply fabulous.
But it’s not accessible to just anyone. Those whose offices are within the campus are able to access it. In this case, thanks to Crow Family Holdings’ Anne Raymond, the CCB was able to hold the dinner for the mega-buck supporters for the area children’s fundraisers.
Laura and Jason Downing
Minnie Caruth
CCB Chair Caren Kline was front and center thanking those assembled, especially Deloitte, which underwrote the evening. Graciously accepting her thanks, Deloitte’s Jason Downing reminded the guests that over the years CCB had raised more than $105M for area children’s nonprofits.
Marilyn Augur
Christi Urschel
Nancy Dedman and Brad Kelly
The evening’s guests included Neiman Marcus Downtown GM Jeff Byron, who talked about the prepping of the store for the upcoming holidays with the famed window displays. . Carol and Don Glendenning, who had been at the Hope for Humanity patron party. . .Robin and Don Conlon, who was recovering nicely from shoulder surgery; Minnie Caruth sans husband Bill, who was in the final stages of reviewing grant requests for the next day’s Caruth Foundation meeting; Annette and Harold Simmons, Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Christi and Hal Urschel, Marilyn Augur, Connie and Chris O’Neill, Nancy and Gene Carter, Aileen and Jack Pratt, Leslie and Bryan Diers, Nancy and Robbie Briggs, Katherine and Key Coker, Mary Claire Finney, Nancy Dedman and Brad Kelly,and Craig Kennington and his mother Dorothy Kennington.