Inaugural NTFB Harvest Kickoff Reception

Co-chairs Kristi Bare and Nancy Gopez welcomed more than seventy-five host committee members and sponsors for a cocktail reception to celebrate Harvest presented by VHA, a new fundraising event benefiting The North Texas Food Bank.

Harvest co-chairs Kristi Bare, Nancy Gopez

 Hosted by Place at Perry’s, partygoers mingled while enjoying wine and a delicious cocktail buffet. Midway through the evening, Bare and Gopez welcomed guests and thanked the many sponsors to date, as well as the event’s honorary co-chairs Janet and Phil Cobb, Ruthie and Jay Pack, and Katherine and Eric Reeves.

Harvest honorary co-chairs Katherine and Eric Reeves

 Bare and Gopez shared details of the upcoming September 19 fundraiser, including the site for the event, the newly renovated Dallas Farmers Market. Guests at Harvest will enjoy cocktails, food stations from some of Dallas’ favorite chefs and restaurants under the leadership of renowned chef Sharon Hague, entertainment by DJ Lucy Wrubel, silent and live auctions, wine auction and more. A highlight of the evening will be the recognition of five “Golden Fork” recipients, an annual award that honors five local philanthropists who have made a significant impact in the pursuit of a hunger-free community.

Kristin Schwope, Lora Farris, Jasmin Holmstrup

Scott and Amy Houdek

At the reception, Jan Pruitt, president and CEO of The North Texas Food Bank, added her thanks to the many supporters of the fundraiser and spoke about the important programs that would benefit from the proceeds of the inaugural Harvest: Food 4 Kids provides backpacks full of nonperishable, kid-friendly food for chronically hungry elementary-age children to take home on Fridays during the school year; School Pantry, puts healthful, shelf-stable food and fresh produce into the hands of children and families once a month through partnerships with public and charter schools; Nourishing Neighbors, a new Food Bank initiative addressing hunger among the 'silver tsunami,' the growing numbers of senior adults who find themselves in need and The Main Program, provides access to 62 million+ healthful meals to 262 Partner Agencies in 13 North Texas counties, including pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

Tiffany Divis, Elizabeth Gambrell, Diana Hamilton

Jonas and Nicole Woods

 Harvest kick-off event attendees included: honorary chairs Janet and Phil Cobb and Katherine and Eric Reeves; event co-chairs Kristi Bare and Nancy Gopez; Jan Pruitt, president and CEO, The North Texas Food Bank; Tiffany and Paul Divis; Katy and Lawrence Bock; Claire and Dwight Emanuelson; Jennifer and Ron Robinson; Elizabeth Gambrell; Kris Johnson; Diana Hamilton; Heather and Malcolm Hicks; Carol and Peter York; Reggie and John McFarland; Leslie and Lucian LaBarba; Nicole and Jonas Woods; and Amy and Scott Houdek.

Justin Whitman and our own Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, RSVP Calendar Founder

  Harvest presented by VHA will take place on Friday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the

newly renovated Dallas Farmers Market. Tickets are $200 each; sponsorships begin at $500. For more information, visit ntfb.org/harvest

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Vivaldi Patron Circle Young Professionals Celebrate 4th Annual Mid-Winter’s Evening

DSO’s Young Professionals Group hosts evening at Stay ZaZa Art House and Gallery

Stay ZaZa Art House and Social Gallery was the place to be for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) Vivaldi Patron Circle 4th Annual Mid-Winter’s Evening on January 9, 2013. Guests braved rain and wintry skies to enjoy a warm evening of fun, food, and conversation featuring Dallas Symphony guest virtuoso Nicola Benedetti.

Joining the festivities were Vivaldi Honorary Chairs Kimberly and Justin Whitman; Myrna and Robert Schlegel; Haylee Dallas; Lloyd and Amanda Ward; Jose Reyes; Sal Jafar; Amy Espinosa; Clayton Floyd; and 60 other DSO supporters of Dallas’ fashionable fete set.

Against Stay ZaZa Art House and Social Gallery’s hip décor of working traffic signals, antique electric signs and wall-hung vinyl records and classic album covers, Nick Weege, DSO’s Senior Manager of Donor Advancement, introduced the evening’s entertainment, a moderated discussion with 25-year-old Scottish superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti. Aldert Vermeulen, the Dallas Symphony’s Director of Artistic Planning, quizzed the poised and beautiful soloist about her musical career; why she loves to perform beloved violin concertos; the importance of classical music in today’s society; and her thrill and honor of being appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honors.

Following the lively discussion, Vivaldi Honorary Chairs Kimberly and Justin Whitman were introduced and prizes were given away to guests, including a special evening at Hotel ZaZa; a CD copy of Benedetti’s new album, Silver Violin (Decca Classics), to be released February 19; and one pair of tickets to Benedetti Plays Tchaikovsky with the DSO.

Guests also received a small gift from CultureMap, the official media sponsor of the Vivaldi Patron Circle’s Mid-Winter’s Evening.

About the DSO Vivaldi Patron Circle

A network of exciting and arts-minded young professionals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, Vivaldi Patrons enjoy a variety of unique opportunities and private events throughout the year; pre and post-concert happy hours; and special opportunities to engage with Dallas Symphony Orchestra musicians, guest artists, and artistic leaders.

Taylor Boyd, Myrna Schlegel, Bob Schlegel, and Phyllis Cole

Kandace Shepard and Amy Espinosa

Cat Simmonds with Nicola Benedetti

 Kimberly Whitman, Nicole Benedetti and Justin Whitman 

The 4th Annual Mid Winters Evening

Council For Life Patrons Dinner

The Circle of Life Dinner Party was held on the evening of November 7th at the lovely home of Myrna and Bob Schegel. The dinner included Council for Life’s donors, board members as well as our luncheon speaker, Ray Comfort. The dinner provided a more intimate atmosphere for the members to interact with Mr. Comfort and thank him for being a part of this year’s luncheon. The Luncheon co-chairs, Becky Brodersen and Rebecca Lutz were also in attendance, along with Billie Leigh Rippy the honorary chairman.

Justin and Kimberly Whitman; Myrna and Bob Schlegel. 

Kimberly and Justin Whitman invite you to...

What: Celebrate the opening of Façonnable benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters with Kimberly and Justin Whitman
When: Thursday, November 4th from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: the GALLERIA Dallas, Level One
*complimentary valet parking at the Westin Galleria hotel
RSVP: RSVP@rsvpcalendar.com