The 2023 Sweetheart Ball new members tea was a multi-generational, family affair of support for the black-tie gala that has raised more than $42M for heart disease treatment and prevention. With 1996 Ball Chair Alinda Wikert hosting the afternoon tea at her exquisite home, her niece/2023 Ball Chair Heather Washburne had a full agenda to share with the committee of volunteers including news of the April ball, the introduction of new members (Susan Butt, Charlyn Holmes, Kari Kloewer, Meredith Land Moore, Elizabeth Taylor and Amy Ware), the announcement of the funds provided from the 2022 ball and the chair for the 2025 ball. Here’s a report from the field:
The torrential downpour on Tuesday, October 24, did not dampen the spirits or impact attendance at the Sweetheart Ball New Member Tea hosted by Alinda Wikert whose niece, Heather Washburne, is chairing the 2024 Sweetheart Ball on Saturday, April 20, at Brook Hollow Golf Club. The Jack Boles valets escorted each guest with over-sizes umbrellas with out incident.
Once inside, the bleakness of the rainstorm gave way to an elegant gathering with beautifully clad women and representatives from UT Southwestern Medical Center, the beneficiary of the Sweetheart Ball’s annual black-tie dinner that has raised more than $42 million in the past 41 years for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
More than 75 members of the Sweetheart Ball Committee gathered in Alinda’s art-filled Highland Park Home to welcome the six new members of the exclusive organization. With an impressive blue, ten-foot Dale Chihuly sculpture as the backdrop, Heather introduced the event honorees – Susan Butt, Charlyn Holmes, Kari Kloewer, Meredith Land Moore, Elizabeth Taylor and Amy Ware.
Heather began by referencing her attendance at the ball for more than two decades, many times with her grandmother and matriarch of the Hill family, Margaret Hunt Hill along with her father Al Hill Jr. She also pointed out that hostess Alinda Wikert was Chair of the Sweetheart Ball in 1996.
After revealing the new members and the newly elected Board Members-At-Large Elizabeth Fronterhouse, Heather Furniss and Kimberly Whitman and Associate Member-at-Large Lisa Troutt, Heather announced that Ola Fojatasek would be the 2025 ball chair. She also announced that the 2023 Sweetheart Ball raised $2.7 million.
After introducing UT Southwestern Medical Center President Dr. Dan Podolsky, Dan had his esteemed colleagues share highlights of their work that the Department of Cardiology has made in cardiovascular research during the past four decades with funds from the Sweetheart Ball. Doctors, in attendance who spoke, included John Rutherford, James de Lemos, Darren McGuire and Amit Khera. They were accompanied by Development and Alumni Relations at UT Southwestern VP Amanda Billings.
Former Sweetheart Ball Chairs who attended, included Linda Custard (2007), Nancy Dedman (2009), Deborah Gunter (2010), Patty Huffines (2022), Charlotte Jones (2013), Gene Jones (2006), Lydia Novakov (2015), Amy Prestidge (2023), Nancy Cain Marcus Robertson (2017), Peggy Sewell (2000), Lynne Sheldon (2001), Lisa Troutt (2019), Lee Ann White (2018) and Jacque Wynne (1985).
Committee members, who attended, included Lana Andrews, Jeanne Bobbitt, Diane Byrd, Janie Condon, Claire Emanuelson, Tucker Enthoven, Cate Ford, Margaret Hancock, Tavia Hunt, Sue Justice, Teresa King, Joyce Lacerte, Sarah Losinger, Sara Martineau, Stacey McCord, Beth Plumlee, Jill Smith, Gayle Stoffel, Christi Urschel, Gloria Eulich Varel and Kimberly Whitman.
* Photo credit: Haynsworth Photography
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