Curated Texan
North Texas Chapter Hosts Sixth Annual Room To Grow Luncheon & Fashion Presentation
By Cynthia Smoot Photography by Tamytha Cameron
THE SETTING: Dec My Room’s North Texas Chapter celebrated its highly anticipated sixth annual Room to Grow Luncheon and Fashion Presentation on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in the beautiful Neiman Marcus Garden at NorthPark Center. Patrons mixed and mingled in the Neiman Marcus garden, enjoying the spring weather and taking fun photos in front of the floral wall designed by Nolan Kiser from Bottega Flores and at the Mir Mir photo booth sponsored by Sewell Automotive, while they bid on fabulous items and experiences in the raffle and silent auction.
At the appointed time, attendees took their seats as the luncheon co-chairs Jane Rozelle Humphrey and Vodi Cook Meagher, along with Dec My Room Director, Heather Smith, welcomed guests and thanked them for their support of the Room to Grow luncheon benefiting Dec My Room, including thanking event sponsors, the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation, NorthPark Center, Neiman Marcus, Sewell, and others. Patrons in attendance included Anne Stodghill, Sunie Solomon, Kimber Westphall, Brian Bolke, Myra Schlegal, Samantha Wortley, Caroline Harrison, Sharon Lee Clark, Marisa Howard, Jodi Kahn, Bach Mai, Marjon Henderson, and Kristin Williams.
Kersten Rettig
THE VIBE: Dec My Room North Texas Director Heather Smith took the stage to echo her gratitude to all before sharing the organization’s history and its mission of creating “healing places” for children who are being admitted into a hospital for a prolonged amount of time. Smith then announced the 2024 recipient of the Celebrate Flight Award, which is presented each year to a patient or individual whose experience or actions epitomize the organization’s mission and who inspires all Dec My Room supporters. This year’s recipient was awarded to patient, Christopher Schuette, for his creative and fighting spirit. Christopher was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in 2019. His aggressive and successful medical treatment was followed by a bone marrow transplant in July 2023. His hospital room was inspired by his love for nature, computer science, and Broadway.
Other award recipients included Dawn Greiner, 2024 Dec My Room’s honorary chair, for her selfless spirit and unending energy for the charity since 2017. Kimberly Schlegel Whitman was presented with the inaugural Monarch Servant Heart Award, for being one of the charity’s most steadfast supporters and longtime fashion co-presenters. Dec My Room and NorthPark Center also presented a surprise award and recognized longtime supporter Andrea Nayfa with the Monarch Butterfly Award, which included a live monarch butterfly release timed to take flight during the presentation to honor her for being one of the charity’s most steadfast and longtime supporters.
It was then time for the much-anticipated Neiman Marcus fashion presentation with co-presenter emcees, Moll Anderson, The New York Times bestselling author and inspirational home and lifestyle expert, and Sally LaPointe, New York-based fashion designer. The two shared fashion insights as models showcased the collection and spring fashions from the luxurious LAPOINTE line.
THE NON-PROFIT: Founded 17 years ago in Houston, Texas, Dec My Room, Inc. helps to create a healing place for children who are being admitted to a hospital for a prolonged time. Dec My Room volunteers personalize the hospital room upon a patient’s arrival with items that complement the special likes and interests of the individual patient. These items are for them to enjoy during their stay and take home when they leave. Dec My Room is a unique and innovative charitable program whose efforts help improve the attitudes of patients and their healing process. Dec My Room has grown to 11 Chapters, serving 151 hospitals in 22 states and Washington D.C. The Dallas chapter of Dec My Room expanded in early 2022 to serve four hospitals in North Texas, is now rebranded to be the North Texas Chapter, and is celebrating its eighth year in service.
