Accidents happen and the MySweetCharity elves with Queenie at the helm experienced one yesterday. Instead of posting coverage of the Mosaic Family Services 7th Annual Gala honoring Dallas City Counilmember Jennifer Staubach Gates, they reposted the September 20th patron party. Well, duh!
So, here is the report from the field about the Thursday, October 20, fundraiser at The Empire Room. Our apologies to all for MSC’s dying brain cells.
Co-chairs Melissa Green and Elizabeth Weathersby, along with honorary chair Lana Byrne welcomed over 330 attendees to Mosaic Family Services 7th Annual Gala on Thursday, October 20, from 7–11 p.m. at The Empire Room in the Dallas Design District.
Partygoers including Joe Byrne, Camilo Munar, Yujin Heo, Jo Mattison, Bert Smith, Ashley Anderson Smith, Jenny and Matt Ozee, Sue de Mille Minyard and Jim Minyard, Noosia and Scot Sookarow, Vicky and Doug Lattner, Beth Conner, Hannah and Adam Forbes, Sylvia Gutierrez, Le Ta and the Gates clan (JohnGates, Jordan Gates and Jessica and Will Whitsitt) arrived and mingled as they enjoyed cocktails and light bites courtesy of Stock & Barrel. Guests perused the silent auction, curated by auction chair Nusia Sookarow, and enjoyed the casino tables, while DJ Lamont Carlis provided the music.
As guests were seated for dinner, master of ceremonies Steve Kemble took the stage to welcome everyone. Stock & Barrel’s wood grilled romaine salad with Bartlett pear, Danish blue cheese, garlic croutons and toasted pecan vinaigrette was served family style as co-chairs Elizabeth Weathersby and Melissa Green thanked attendees for their support of the clients served by Mosaic Family Services.
Kemble then introduced Dallas Police Department’s Interim Chief David Pughes for the presentation of the 2016 Champion of Human Rights Award to councilmember Jennifer Staubach Gates. Chief Pughes shared his admiration for Gates and the tremendous work she has done on behalf of Dallas’ City Council as the Domestic Violence Taskforce Chair, helping to bridge communication between the Dallas Police Department, the District Attorney’s office, judges and community partners in an effort to end domestic violence in Dallas.
Interim Chief Pughes was followed by Gates’ mother, one of Dallas’ beloved philanthropist and community volunteers, Marianne Staubach. Staubach shared personal stories of Jennifer’s persuasiveness, persistence and compassion for others, which started as a young girl, laying the foundation for the successful woman she is today – wife, mom to two daughters, grandmother to two grandsons, passionate volunteer, registered nurse, Dallas City Councilmember and much more.
Pughes and Staubach then jointly presented Gates with the 2016 Champion of Human Rights Award. The Champion of Human Rights Award is presented each year to individuals and/or groups who strive to ensure the protection of the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. Councilmember Gates has shown remarkable dedication to making a difference in the lives of Dallas residents, particularly survivors of domestic violence. Her extraordinary work with the Domestic Violence Task Force and Public Safety Committee continues to bring awareness to human rights abuses and empowers the clients we serve.
Past award recipients include director and filmmaker Libby Spears; fashion designer Abi Ferrin; Judge Roberto Canas, Jr., presiding judge of Dallas County Criminal Court No. 10; Genesis Women’s Shelter Executive Director Jan Langbein and The Family Place Executive Director Paige Flink; Ambassador-At-Large Luis CdeBaca; and local philanthropist/women’s and human rights activist Lauren Embrey.
Kimberly, a survivor of domestic violence and sex trafficking, followed with her personal story. After becoming pregnant by her trafficker, she knew that she wanted a better life for herself and her son. Through Mosaic Family Services, she was able to find counseling, find a place to live, help gaining employment and life-skills guidance. With her son seated nearby, Kimberly was given a standing ovation for her courage to share her story and in celebration of her success.
Stock & Barrel’s family-style dinner continued with harissa honey glazed chicken with Thai basil and mint and kalbi style grilled short rib steaks with watercress salad and crispy shallots, served with goat cheese dumplings with Brussel sprouts petals, grilled corn, green curry and coconut. Dessert of warm toffee croissant bread pudding with butter caramel cream and salted English toffee followed.
After dinner partygoers hit the dance floor, tried their luck at the casino tables or placed last minute bids in the silent auction. As the evening came to a close, patrons received a take-home treat of a mini-bundt cake donated by Nothing Bundt Cakes, a gift certificate to Stock & Barrel and a gift card from SoulCycle for one free class.
* Photo credits: Bob Manzano and Wesley Holmes