With school winding down mid-May, fundraising was making a last push effort to support kiddo programs. On Saturday, May 17, the 18th Annual Wish Night Gala was in overdrive at the Hilton Anatole for Make-A-Wish North Texas. In addition to having silent and live auctions, three-course dinner, music by Time Machine and a special performance from past wish recipients, the black-tie gala also had JoAnne and Tony Roosevelt Jr., as the honorary co-chairs. Perhaps that explains why more than $11M and “1,490 wishes for children with life-threatening and medical conditions throughout the North Texas community have resulted.
Fleming Longino and Lisa Longino
Across town it was another youth-oriented fundraiser but not in the same vein as the Wish Night Gala. Unlike last year’s Communities in Schools Dallas Region fundraiser at Eddie Deen’s, Party Chair Lisa Longino had decided to have the “Kids Come First Partners’ Roundup Party” at Brook Hollow. Where just weeks before the ever-so-exclusive and proper Sweetheart Ball had taken place, the club was now turned into a country western party palace for urban cowboys.
Nickey and Debbie Oates
The invite recommended attire being fancy shirt and jeans for cowboys and “Lone Star chic” for cowgirls. While some of the gents pulled out their fav denims and gussied up cowboy shirts, others decided the starched, ultra-bright white shirt to be festive enough. Leave it to some like Nickey Oates and John Clutts to wear a white tuxedo shirt.
Carolyn Lupton and Jean Lattimore
As for the gals, it was everything from jeans to broomstick skirts. As long as it had a touch of turquoise or a pair of boots, it was fashionably on the mark. Some of the ladies knew they’d had winning looks from last year and did encore fashion performances. CISDR Director of Philanthropy Lisa Loy Laughlin admitted that she decided her Cache top worked so well last year, she’d let it have a repeat performance. But Lisa wasn’t the only one. Jean Lattimore had such success with her beige vest, she just highlighted it with a multi-color stone necklace. Carolyn Lupton’s shimmering white blouse was topped off with a sleeveless pastel blue, pink and ivory sweater jacket.
After guests arrived and checked in at the Oak Room, they discovered the terrace was a combination silent auction, casino and photo booth filled to the busting point.
Communities in Schools Dallas Region kids prior to going on stage
When the doors to the ballroom opened at 7:40 p.m., guests headed to their tables with mini-cactus centerpieces. But behind the scenes another party was underway. It was in the card room, where CISDR “clients” were waiting for their time on stage. Decked out in blue jeans, red neckerchiefs and CISDR dark navy shirts, the youngsters were having a great time. When asked, who was the funniest one in the crowd, without hesitation all fingers pointed to one.
Emily and Reid Wakefield
But soon it was time to get down to business. The youngsters were introduced to the stage in the ballroom and sang with Lisa L.L. conducting. After the applause died down, Lisa L. and Honorary Party Co-Chairs Emily and Reid Wakefield were presented with flowers in over-sized flowerpots.
CIS President/CEO Sandy Chavarria told the group, “I wore this hat tonight for just one reason. To take it off to all of you in this room — our partners — and all those partners who couldn’t make it tonight!”