Society

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE’S UNDER THE MOONLIGHT GALA RETURNS ON CINCO DE MAYO

Sheldon Arora, Diane Fullingim, and Jenny Hanlon Tricia Roos, Hilary Graham, and Ashley Lyon John and Kelly Pool

Jenifer Valentine, Natalie Dossett, and Caroline Gehan

The Gala Megan Mattingly, Stephanie Brigger, and Lizzie Adsit

(PHOTOS: SHERYL LANZEL)

After a two-year absence prompted by COVID-19, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas’ annual Under the Moonlight Gala returned on May 5 at Quadrant Investment Properties’ new development on 141 Manufacturing Street.

“Everything was happy – the people, the clothes, the décor, the auction – Cinco de Mayo was the perfect way for us to bring it back,” said Diane Fullingim, chief development officer for RMHD.

Colorfully clad revelers turned out for the Bajo La Luz De La Luna-themed affair chaired by April and Chad Cook and Holly and Paul Wittorf, with Haylie and Bert Crouch as honorary chairs.

The gala raised $3.5 million for RMHD from 2005-2020. Doug and Ann Smellage

Nesta Murphy and Karra Hixon

Suzanne Cook and Pamela Graham with Trisha and Carl Ewert

Jackie Thornton and Jenice Dunayer

(PHOTOS: DANNY CAMPBELL, PRISCILLA DASILVA, AND NICHOLE MEYER)

Over two years in the making, the 40th Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC) Celebration Gala raised a record-breaking $2 million, including $1 million from honorary chair Peter Cancro, the founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Subs.

Jackie Thornton and Jenice Dunayer co-chaired the event on April 30 at the Arts District Mansion. Guests included WOKC Warriors, their parents, supporters, sponsors, and underwriters.

The gala featured presentations, a live auction, and an acoustic performance of Billy Dawson’s new song, Gold Ribbon, created with Rodney Clawson specifically for the gala. – Staff report Gabby Guillory and Jacob Brooks

40th Anniversary Logo Mary Dowling and Elizabeth Gordon

Tatiana and Peter Cancro

Tom Jr. and Gina Landry with Karee and Greg Sampson Don and Ana Carty

Susan Sanford and John Dankovchik

Pot of Gold Luncheon Introduces Rainbow Days Ring of Honor

Kyla and Kyle Koots

Jason and Emily Hammons Cathey Brown, Nancy Ann Hunt, Cara Mendelsohn, and Tiffany Beaudine

Rosie Redden and Jill Hurd Butterflies décor

(PHOTOS: DANNY CAMPBELL AND ROB WYTHE)

To celebrate Rainbow Days’ 40th anniversary, CEO Tiffany Beaudine announced the Rainbow Days Ring of Honor of individuals and organizations who’ve shown longstanding support for the charity’s work to help children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience.

The 2022 honorees include Nancy Ann Hunt, Jill and Dale Hurd, Joy and Roger Beless, Karen Williams, Wade Brown, Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, Dallas ISD, Richardson ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, and Citi.

More than 500 supporters and guests gathered on April 29 in the Omni Dallas Hotel Dallas Ballroom for the 25th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon, helping raise $258,775. Jennifer Bishop and Marisa O’Sullivan chaired the luncheon, with Melissa Griffith and Tiffany Westerman as auction chairs.

The afternoon included a keynote address from celebrated author Caylin Moore, a performance from the Rainbow Days children and local musician Tony Ballard, moving program testimonials, and silent auction bidding. – Staff report

Karen Cox and Cynthia Beaird David, Elizabeth, and Lee Thompson

Jake, Ella, and Elizabeth Marks Diane, Celeste, and Todd Lay

Paige Williams and Courtney Slater

(PHOTOS: GITTINGS)

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League has introduced its newest debutantes.

After a mom’s meeting and a rehearsal, the announcement party was held on May 26 at Stanley Korshak.

Britton Barcus, Margaret Bracken, Stephanie Ciarochi, Kate Clark, Sarah Crow, Elena Dewar, Gracie Dix, Natalie Duvall, Arden Eiland, Charlotte Esping, Kaitlin Ann Kelly, Celeste Lay, Ella Marks, Ellie Michaelson, Lydia Pigott, Morgan Potter, Sasha Schwimmer, Ellie Steindorf, Catherine Stiles, Elizabeth Thompson, Lucy Tilden, CeCe Tribolet, Danielle Ward, and Paige Williams will be celebrated on Feb. 11, 2023, during the 37th Presentation Ball.

First held in 1987, the Presentation Ball is DSOL’s largest fundraiser, bringing in over $13 million. This year’s ball chair is Karen Cox, and the DSOL President is Cynthia Beaird. Conner Olson and Travis McRoberts Danielle Ward

Be Our Guest The Crowley Chamber Trio Concert Series

MUSIC IN THE MUSEUM

FROM LEFT: Debra Wright, Keith Conlon, Allie Beth Allman, Pierce Allman, the Rev. S.M. Wright II, Mary

Jernigan, and Calvin Wright. (PHOTOS: ROB WYTHE/WYTHE PORTRAIT STUDIO)

By William Taylor

william.taylor@peoplenewspapers.com

For Allie Beth and Peirce Allman, supporting the S.M. Wright Foundation comes about as naturally as, well, selling houses.

The Dallas real estate moguls chose the Rev. S.M. Wright II’s inner-city work as Allie Beth Allman and Associates’ official charity more than two decades ago – one of 50 nonprofits the company supports.

“I am a big believer in giving back to the community, and I was looking for something that I wanted our office to be involved in,” Allie Beth said of a fateful dinner in 2000 with the pastor of People’s Missionary Baptist Church. “That November, my office went down and served his church meals and then again at Christmas time.”

Her staff covered the pews with toys, beginning a tradition that would grow from 30 people served the first year, to 300 the next, to more than 40,000 people during the foundation’s annual Christmas in the Park event at Fair Park.

“S.M. has the strongest faith of any person I’ve ever met. When I panic if we are slow on donations, he says, “God will prevail,” and he does,” Allie Beth said. “What is so nice is you can truly see where the money is going.”

The Allmans’ involvement extends beyond the holidays. Pierce has served on the S.M. Wright Foundation board for years, and Wright recently honored them while reopening the foundation’s newly renovated South Dallas Community Clothing and Resource Center. The center, located in a house next to his church, provides free clothing, small appliances, hygiene products, and other essentials.

The Allmans bought and refurbished the house and supplied it with donations from their agents.

The pastor presented the Allmans with a hand-blown glass heartshaped Legacy Award, inscribed, “For your longtime faithfulness to God in providing support to the less fortunate families in South Dallas.”

Allie Beth explained that she’s a “strong believer in giving back to our community. Dallas has been very good to us. We have so benefited. This is our way of thanking our community for all it has done for us.”

WANT TO HELP?

Visit smwright.org to learn more.

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THE FORUM AT PARK LANE 7831 Park Lane • Dallas, TX 75225 214-369-9902 • www.TheForumAtParkLane.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • RESPITE STAYS

Monday, September 26, 2022 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 27, 2022 7:30 p.m.

MUSEUM OF BIBLICAL ART

7500 Park Lane ↔ Dallas 75225

Free Admission • Free Valet Parking

A reception will follow the program. Cocktail attire requested.

Reservations necessary due to limited seating. RSVP at udallas.edu/music