After days of rain, Tuesday, June 6, turned out to be an oven hitting the 90s and drying things out. Perhaps it was an indication to escape North Texas heat for cooler terrain.
But before the Crystal Charity Ball ladies headed to beaches and mountains, they gathered at Salum for their Midpoint Luncheon, where they learn about those who have risen to the fundraising cause for Dallas children’s charities (Autism Treatment Center Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Dallas Holocaust Museum, Hunger Busters, Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation, Rainbow Days, Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy, The Crystal Charity Ball Educational Scholarship Project and The Crystal Charity Ball Endowment Fund).
2017 Crystal Charity Ball beneficiaries
Before the gals arrived, Salum proprietor Abraham Salum told about his recent trip to Lebanon. It was had been his father’s wish to see the country, so father and son made the trek. One of the highlights for Abraham was seeing buildings devastated by past military action had been shored up and used for offices, retailing and residences. The purpose was not to forget the party. Abraham admitted that he had used his father’s wish to take an unforgettable trip.
Elizabeth Gambrell, Cheryl Joyner, Pam Perella, Abraham Salum, Leslie Diers, Kristina Whitcomb and Anne Besser
Just before the committee members arrived, 2017 CCB Chair Pam Perella and her lieutenants (Anne Besser, Leslie Diers, Elizabeth Gambrell, Cheryl Joyner and Kristina Whitcomb) tried on berets. Why berets? Because Pam’s internal working theme was 70s TV and Pam’s fav show was the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Ah, so that’s why the day’s gathered was entitled “CCB Emmy Awards.”
Emilynn Wilson and Gina Betts
Before lunch and the awards were announced, the talk included Callier Cares Luncheon Chair Emilynn Wilson and After-School All-Stars Chair Gina Betts sharing tales about the record-breaking events that took place with a couple of days of each other at the Dallas Country Club… Elizabeth Gambrell reporting that she would be heading down to Lake Mystic on Friday to take her daughter to Austin for the ACT and then returning to Dallas Saturday for La Fiesta De Las Seis Banderas…Speaking of La Fiesta, Gala Co-Chair Anne Besser said the threat of rain for Friday’s La Fiesta’s “Under the Stars” event was not that big a concern. The whole event could be moved inside. Plus this year’s attendance had been reduced to 200…As for fashion it was definitely prints, but one had to look closely at Susy Gekiere‘s dress. Unlike others with floral prints, Susan’s was a kennel full of white pooches against a blue background.
Suzy Gekiere and Susan Farris
After a lunch of traditional Cobb Salad with grilled chicken, chopped greens, bacon, egg, avocado and blue cheese followed by Texas peach cobbler with vanilla gelato, the following awards were presented:
Happy Days Award (popcorn): First contract delivered
- Underwriters — Tucker Enthoven
- Children’s Book — Linda Secrest
- Silent Auction Special Gift — Leigh Anne Haugh
Jennifer Dix and Kim Quinn
Mission Impossible Award (TV dinner tray and TV Guide): Most new dollars
- Underwriters — Meredith Bebee
- Children’s Book — Kim Quinn
- Silent Auction Special Gift — Margaret Hancock
Libby Allred
Piper Wyatt, Lynn McBee and Laura Downing
Fantasy Island Award (Snuggies): Most contracts in/Most grants written
- Underwriters — Libby Allred
- Children’s Book — Lynn McBee
- Silent Auction Special Gift — Katherine Coker
- Foundation — Susan Farris
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Award (Games): Most dollars in
- Underwriters — Meredith Bebee
- Silent Auction Special Gift — Kim Miller
- Foundations — Alicia Wood
Wonder Woman (Brady Bunch cookie jar): Most contracts in by a new member
- Kim Guinn
A-Team Award (muds): Overachievers
- Underwriters — Emilynn Wilson
- Children’s Book — Suzy Gekiere
- Silent Auction Special Gift — Shelle Sills
- Foundations — Fredye Factor
Tiffany Divis, Sarah Gardner and Shelle Sills
Cheers Award (wine glass and champagne): Most active inactive
- Sarah Losinger
And while the awards were well earned and appreciated, the women realized that this event also meant that they only had six months until the Saturday, December 2nd gala to raise $5.83M for the beneficiaries.
For more photos from the luncheon, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.