Somebody started a rumor that things would really calm down after Memorial Day. Wednesday, June 11, proved that rumor to be as farfetched as a Victoria Secret catalogue in a convent.
Communities Foundation Of Texas
Started off at Communities Foundation of Texas’s library. The purpose was to discuss the fall tsunami day — North Texas Giving Day.
North Texas Giving Day*
Oh, goodness! The plans for this day are raising smiles and hopes to help more than 1,300 nonprofits in less than 24 hours on Thursday, September 18. Last year the total ended up being $25,257,204.31
And don’t go thinking that just because CFT is a Dallas-based operation, NTGD is limited to Big D’s area codes.
Nope. It’s call North Texas Giving Day. . . not Park Cities Giving Day, Garland Giving Day, Corinth Giving day, Southlake Giving Day. That’s right. . . North Texas. Why, it wouldn’t surprise some if Houston tried to lay claim to be part of North Texas because of the big bucks raised.
Stay tuned. MySweetCharity will keep you posted on what to expect on the headline day.
Crystal Charity Ball Midpoint Luncheon
Next stop was Salum. Chef/proprietor Abraham Salum was literally multi-tasking. In addition to hosting the Crystal Charity Ball committee’s “Midpoint Luncheon,” he was in the parking lot doing valet duties. Seems one of the car parkers had failed to show, but the Mercedes, Lexuses and other luxury vehicles arrived right at high noon and swamped the place.
Abraham Salum
Inside, the CCB ladies showed not one iota of being bothered by the traffic jam. This lunch was the “midpoint” in the year-long effort to raise funds for area children’s charities.
With an internal working theme of baseball this year, CCB Chair Robyn Conlon and her “dirt bag” team members of Melissa Macatee, Angie Kadesky, Alica Wood, Patty Leyendecker and Claire Emanuelson announced the outstanding players in the follow categories:
Melissa Macatee, Angie Kadesky, Alicia Wood, Robyn Conlon, Patty Leyendecker and Claire Emanuelson
Coming in from Left Field Award (those who brought in the first new donor of the year): Tiffany Divis, Angela Nash, Piper Wyatt and Elizabeth Gambrell
Tiffany Divis, Angela Nash, Piper Wyatt and Elizabeth Gambrell
Best ERA (those who brought in the most contracts): Michal Powell, Lynn McBee, Kristina Whitcomb, Susan Farris and Sarah Losinger
Kristina Whitcomb, Sarah Losinger and Susan Farris
Rookie of the Year (new members who have brought in the most dollars): Gail Fischer, Leigh Anne Haugh and Tiffany Divis
Tiffany Divis, Leigh Anne Haugh and Gail Fischer
Clean-Up Hitter (those who have brought in the most dollars): Libby Allred, Pam Perella, Michael Powell, Carole Lou Bruton, Kristina Whitcomb, Lynn McBee, Katherine Coker, Susan Farris, Janie Condon, Bette Mullins, Amy Prestidge and Elizabeth Gambrell.
Pam Perella and Libby Allred
Kristina Whitcomb and Carol Lou Bruton
Susan Farris, Katherine Coker and Janie Condon
Amy Prestidge, Elizabeth Gambrell and Bette Mullins
Lead-Off Hitter (those who brought in the most new money): Leigh Anne Haugh, Susan Farris and Kristina Whitcomb
Kristina Whitcomb, Leigh Anne Haugh and Susan Farris
Relievers of the Year (those who have gone the extra mile): Suzy Gekiere, Leslie Diers, Fredye Factor, Amy Prestidge, Tracey Kozmetsky, Carole Lou Bruton, Ann Dyer, Lauryn Gayle White, Katherine Coker, Kim Miller, Tanya Foster, Vinnie Reuben and Paige Slates
Carole Lou Bruton, Amy Prestidge, Fredye Factor and Suzy Gekiere
Paige Slates, Katherine Coker, Lauryn Gayle White, Ann Dyer and Vinne Reuben
All-Star of the Year (those who have been an overall go-getter): Beth Thoele, Suzy Gekiere, Janie Condon and Kimber Hartmann
Janie Condon, Suzy Gekiere and Beth Thoele
Pinch Hitter of the Year (Those who the entire team sees helping across the board): Linda Secrest and Kristina Whitcomb
Kristina Whitcomb and Linda Secrest
As a caveat that summer vacations may apply to others, Robyn warned the group that to achieve their goal, they needed to dig in for the summer and get those contracts headed for home base.
Kidney Texas Runway Report Appreciation Reception
Karen and Jay Settle’s University Park home is outstanding for a Park Cities residence.
The backyard red barn
It’s not the biggest one. It’s not the newest or the oldest. But it’s probably the only one in the hood and the surrounding area that has its own two-story, red barn in the backyard along with a pool and putting green.
KidneyTexas Luncheon Chair Karen opened her house for the KidneyTexas Runway Report Appreciation Reception.
Emily Anderson, Jolie Humphrey, Faye Briggs and Karen Settle
Even diminutive Faye Briggs, who is legendary for hosting non-profit festivities at her estate, managed to leave her mansion to attend this one. After all, Faye is the honorary chair for the September 23 luncheon and fashion show with Tootsies fashions at Brook Hollow. Funds will benefit Baylor Health Care System Foundation, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, National Kidney Foundation – Camp Reynal and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Others attending the event were KidneyTexas President Jolie Humphrey, Emily Anderson, Barbara Bigham, Emilynn Wilson and Lynn Dealey.
Carter Work Project Committee Cocktail Reception
Mayor Mike Rawlings is legendary for coming and going. If there’s a way for him to support a cause, he’s there. He can hit three lunches in one day without so much as unfolding a napkin.
So, bets were on the table that he would stay put for the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work Project Committee Cocktail Reception. After all, it was being held at his home.
Micki and Mike Rawlings’ home
But even Vegas bookies would have had their hearts broken and chips lost. Mike stayed long enough to smile and pat early arrivals on the back. Then he was out the door to an awaiting SUV with a couple of official types waiting for the mayor. He had to attend a gathering of the Republic Convention planners at the Hunt Oil building. The next night they were scheduled to visit Harlan Crow’s library.
Hello! Can Dallas pull out the stops to impress?
But back to Rawlings manor. Mike was heading the door. Son Gunnar was also on his way out in a different direction for another commitment. When stopped, the cute brunette acted surprise that anyone would think he was going to stay. After all, he thought he looked way too casual in his Polo shirt and slacks for this reception.
Micki Rawlings
With the Rawlings men’s departure, it meant Rawlings matriarch/Dallas First Lady Micki was to handle the hosting duties. While some wives would steam under the collar for having to go it solo, Micki blossomed. Whether it was telling the history of their Max Levy-designed house or congratulating Stephen Jones on his upcoming 50th birthday, Micki was flawless. Somehow she managed to talk with each guest as if they were the only one in the room of 50.
When asked how her husband kept up the non-stop schedule, she admitted there were days when he was worn out. Those were the nights when he would come home, go upstairs to visit with her mother and then head to bed.
But the real reason for the gathering of folks like Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Matthew Simon, Keith Schumann, Jennifer Sampson, Gillian and Mark Breidenbach and Nikki and Crayton Webb wasn’t to see the mayor or even to chat with Micki. It was the Rawlings way of thanking the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project Committee. According to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Executive VP Melissa Cameron, “Everyone here is a check writer.”
Jennifer Sampson, Mark Breidenbach, Claire and Dwight Emanuelson, Matthew Simon and Keith Schumann
What has really brought the checkbooks out is the involvement of the Carters, who will celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary on July 7. Having built HfH homes for 31 years, each year the former first couple travels to a place in the world to work with HfH team members.
Why did the Carters pick Dallas? The answer was “Because we’re big” and due to the Dallas Habitat model ($100M Dream Dallas campaign). It also helped that Mayor Mike has been trying to revitalize neighborhoods in Southern Dallas.
Karen Jones
Micki started the evening’s talk off by saying “We’re so excited about the week” (with the Carters). Plans call for a week-long schedule of events including:
- Sunday, October 5, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Opening ceremony at Annette Strauss Square.
- Monday, October 6 – Saturday, October 11: Volunteers will construct/repair more than 100 homes for families in Dallas and Fort Worth with Mike and Micki Rawlings and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy and Tom Price as honorary co-chairs.
- Wednesday, October 8, at 7:30 a.m. — “Building on Faith” devotional by President Jimmy Carter
- Thursday, October 9: Building Hope Celebration Dinner at AT&T Stadium presented by Pioneer Natural Resources. In charge of the evening’s event will be Co-Chairs Lynn and Allan McBee and Honorary Co-Chairs Karen and Stephen Jones with Project Co-Chairs Micki and Mike Rawlings and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy and Tom Price in attendance.
- Saturday, October 11, at 8 a.m.: Closing Ceremony at Sundance Square
Allan and Lynn McBee
Lynn then thanked Underwriting Co-Chairs Gillian Breidenbach, Mark Shank and Crayton Webb and title sponsor Pioneer Natural Resources.
Gillian Breidenbach and Stephen Jones
Final speaker was HfH CEO Bill Hall, who admitted, “The funny thing is, I’m more worried about President Carter showing me up on the build side than anything else.” He then recalled a story about how the former president “dissed” somebody who didn’t stay all day to pound nails.
BTW, President Carter turns 90 on October 1, so wish him a belated “Happy Birthday.”