The Crystal Charity Ball ladies were moving right on schedule, despite the installation of a mega centerstage in the Hilton Anatole’s Chantilly Ballroom on Friday, December 5. True, pink was becoming the overwhelming color of the night, but, shoot, it was the color that brought out the best in all.
Behind the scenes, word was being passed that the underwriting committee was just plain giddy. They had had everything sponsored. Someone elbowed another, “What about the toilet paper?” Another seriously responded, “We tried, but Kimberly Clark Foundation requires a three-year vetting.”
These gals were like hungry bird dogs after their prey. They were once again determined to provide funds for the beneficiaries (Café Momentum, Dallas CASA, Equest, Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, Mercy Street, Vogel Alcove and Wesley-Rankin Community Center).
Personalized jammies
Centerpiece
Finally, all was completed for the evening and the committee members adjourned to the Anatole’s Margaret Thatcher Suite, where CCB Chair/Queen Bee Robyn Conlon was staying. Thanks to CCB members Heather Furniss and Patty Leyendecker, the suite was all dolled up. On the bed were custom-made pink jammies for Robyn monogrammed with CCB 2014. On the buffet table in addition to the mountains of food was a glorious floral centerpiece created by Heather.
With hair in ponytails, sans eye makeup and wearing sweats, the ladies celebrated more than a year of researching beneficiaries, working with underwriters and orchestrating one of the area’s most vaunted fundraising galas.
Marybeth Conlon
Keith Conlon and Megan Somerville
The highlight of the evening came when Conlon patriarch Don Conlon and the Conlon boys arrived with their ladies (Kevin and his wife Marybeth Conlon, Casey Conlon and his Lizzie Herbert and Keith Conlon and his Megan Somerville). Just a day or two before Casey had proposed to Lizzie. He had hesitated in making the announcement of her acceptance because he didn’t want to take away from his mom’s big weekend. Robyn laughed at the idea of holding the great news. Her attitude was that announcement would only add to the glow.
Lizzie Herbert and Casey Conlon
Don presented Robyn with a flower ring similar to the charms created by Lyles DeGrazier for the 2014 top CCB fundraising committee members.
Just when the room was filled to the max and the thermostat was tapped out, Robyn thanked all for their support throughout the years — the deaths of her parents, her own health issues and her chairing the CCB.
Debbie Oates, Connie O’Neill, Robyn Conlon, Cynthia Mitchell and Barbara Stuart
On hand to celebrate were members of the elite sisterhood of past CCB chairs — Barbara Stuart (1994), Debbie Oates (2009), Cynthia Mitchell (2010), Connie O’Neill (2011), Aileen Pratt (2012) and Caren Kline (2013).
But it was over all too soon. There was the next morning and more chores to finish up.