Curated Texan
Featured Speaker Rita Wilson At 18th Annual Event Benefits Community Partners Of Dallas
By Cynthia Smoot Photography by Kelly Alexander, Tamytha Cameron, Celeste Cass and Nate Rehlander
THE SETTING: Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) hosted its 18th annual Chick Lit Luncheon, presented by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel, on Friday, March 22 at the Hilton Anatole. Luncheon Co-chairs Cathy James and Lisa Ogle, with Honorary Chair Christine McKenny, were joined by more than a thousand attendees at the annual event, which featured a conversation with NBC5’s Laura Harris and actress, singer/songwriter, and producer Rita Wilson.
THE VIBE Upon arrival at the Hilton Anatole, Chick Lit devotees mingled and sipped wine at the pre-luncheon reception in the Trinity Ballroom foyer. Nearby, in the Wedgwood Ballroom, top sponsors gathered for champagne, and a meet and greet and photo opportunity with Wilson.
At 11:30 a.m., attendees took their seats in the ballroom as co-chairs James and Ogle took the stage with a welcome to this year’s Chick Lit Luncheon, benefiting Community Partners of Dallas and the 20,000 abused and neglected children it serves annually. They also proudly announced that this year’s luncheon had set a new record for sponsorships in the event’s 18-year history. DJ Lucy Wrubel provided the cool vibe during the opening reception and throughout the luncheon.
President and CEO Joanna Clarke recognized the 2024 Paige McDaniel Partners for Children Award recipient, Capital for Kids with Capital for Kids founders Dawn Blankenship, Eliot Raffkind, and Reid Walker accepting the award.It was then time for the inimitable Rita Wilson! Wilson and NBC5’s Laura Harris settled in for an entertaining and engaging chat – and covered topics from Wilson’s Greek and Bulgarian heritage, how she began her music career, her album featuring duets with other artists, including Jackson Brown, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, Josh Groban, Tim McGraw, Smokey Robinson and more, red carpet moments, friendship with the talented Faith Hill, how she balances it all, and her very first acting role on “The Brady Bunch.”
Attendees included: Co-chairs Cathy James and Lisa Ogle, Honorary Chair Christine McKenny, Presenting Sponsor Dr. Bob and Lara Tafel with daughter Mimi Tafel, bestselling author and event sponsor Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, Paige McDaniel, Tanya Rice, Mary Bowman Campbell, Mary Lee Miller, Katherine Wyker, Beth Thoele, Katie Robbins, Leigh Anne Haugh, Elizabeth Gambrell, Tricia George, Mary Martha Pickens, Jill Goldberg, Stacey Walker, Kristen Gibbins, Andrea Nayfa, Sally Dutter, Marjon Henderson, Helaine Blizzard, Katy Bock, Libby Hunt, Alana Stewart, Robbie Kruithoff, Ryan Ross, Candace Winslow, Andrea Cheek, Kristin Hallam, Maggie Kipp, Nancy Gopez, Megan Flanagan, Kathryn Beach, and Kim Quinn.
THE NON-PROFIT: Since 1989, Community Partners of Dallas has ensured safety and restored dignity and hope to abused and neglected children by providing crucial resources and support to the caseworkers of Dallas County Child Protective Services. Community Partners of Dallas provides items such as winter coats, diapers and formula, holiday gifts, school uniforms, personal hygiene products, food, and more, to send the abused children in our community the message that someone does care. Visit www.communitypartnersdallas.org for more information.
