Rob Giardinelli
Up-Themed Gala Benefits Organization To Raises Over $3 Million
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Matthew Hooker
THE SCENE: A picture-perfect evening at Four Seasons in Austin was the setting for a night of incredible fundraising for a very worthy cause. Over 400 of the Capital City’s most notable sociables, philanthropists, and community leaders were on hand for the annual Dell Children’s Foundation Gala. This year’s theme Up certainly upped the ante for the Austin fundraising scene with a magical night that those fortunate enough to be a part of will be talking about for years to come.
THE VIBE: The black-tie crowd began the evening posing for images to commemorate the evening against a stunning floral backdrop of thousands of flowers courtesy of the city’s celebrity florist David Kurio. Guests then headed to the exterior terrace of the Four Seasons for a cocktail reception. Here, on a beautiful Texas evening, partygoers cozied up to one of the many bars for their favorite spirit and mingled with the crowd.
The action then moved to the Four Seasons Ballroom for the main program. Jaws dropped as the color palette of the orange floral backdrop, which guests saw upon arrival, carried into the gala space, which created a grand, elegant, and sophisticated energy. Then, as revelers took to their seats and dined on their multi-course meals, many were moved during the touching tributes showcasing how Dell Children’s provides world-class, life-saving care to so many in the Central Texas community. Guests were also treated to a touching musical performance by Velora Hall.
Next was an epic Fund-A-Need helmed by TK Kenney of Astounding Auctions. Paddles kept raising the tally up, up, up to over $1 million which was generously matched by an anonymous benefactor and resulted in $2 million raised for the organization from the Fund-A-Need alone. The fun moved to the nearby restaurant, Ciclo for a cotton candy-inspired after-party where guests danced the night away, celebrating another successful night for one of Texas’ most anticipated annual galas.
THE NON-PROFIT: The event, created by a host committee, raised over $3 million for the Dell Children’s Foundation. Proceeds raised from the event allow the hospital to fulfill its mission to ensure a child is never turned away due to their inability to pay and with 70% of patients uninsured or underinsured, philanthropic funds are necessary to ensure this practice. Since its founding in 1996, the Foundation has raised over $250 to ensure that children from any financial background have access to world-class healthcare.
