Rob Giardinelli
A Moving Celebration Of Service And Sacrifice Provided An Inspiring Dialogue And Remarkable Fundraising Success
By Rob Giardinelli Photography By Wolf Bear Media
THE SCENE: AT&T Stadium in Arlington was the setting for a night of impactful fundraising that both honored those who served while looking ahead to the future. Over 1,700 of North Texas’ most notable community and military leaders, sociables, and philanthropists were on hand for the Folds of Honor North Texas Gala. The night featured emotional tributes, great music, and a conversation with Former President George W. Bush, resulting in a multi-million dollar night for the organization.
THE VIBE: The black-tie crowd had a mix of formal ensembles with military members proudly wearing their uniforms. Attendees embraced the patriotic theme, with many wearing ensembles in shades of red, white, and blue, while others opted for a more traditional route, wearing black in honor of the fallen.
The night kicked off with a VIP meet and greet, where lucky patrons had the opportunity to pose for photos with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Then, guests were escorted through a moving memorial tunnel lined with plaques and information about fallen military heroes. Many took a moment to stop, read, and give thanks for their service and for giving their lives for their country.
Once on the other side of the tunnel, partygoers were on the field of AT&T Stadium, where they joined others for a cocktail reception. Attendees mingled, many walking up to those in uniform to thank them for their service. Others could be seen perusing the impressive array of silent and live auction items up for bid during the evening.
The crowd then headed to their seats for dinner and the main program. After a moving rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance, guests took to their seats and promptly began dining on a multi-course meal. Fox 4’s Steve Eggar served as emcee, keeping the festivities moving at an informative, fun, and brisk pace.
During the program, attendees were treated to words from event and organization leaders thanking them for a memorable evening. One of the most impactful parts of the program was a moving testimonial by Ginger Gilber Revella, a mother of five children who are Folds of Honor scholarship recipients, who have been able to pursue their dreams that would not have been possible without the support of Folds of Honor. Following the moving talk, McLane and Frontier Airlines were honored with the Milestone Award for their longtime support and dedication to further the mission of Folds of Honor.
Next came a spirited live auction where the paddles and fundraising continued to climb. The most popular items of the evening included a 1969 Corvette Stingray, a seven-night stay at Villa Colibri in Cabo, a custom Folds of Honor Jeep Gladiator, and two rounds of golf for four at The Bear’s Club, including lunch with golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
The program concluded with an address by President George W. Bush, and a moderated conversation with him by Folds of Honor Founder Lt. Colonel Dan Rooney. During the chat, the President talked about the importance of honoring those who serve. Following the chat, an after-party ensued, where the crowd took to the dance floor, cutting a rug to the tunes of the Emerald City Band, capping off a night of fun and fundraising.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 2025 Folds of Honor North Texas Gala, hosted by a star-powered committee including Shelby and Matt Berzins, Danielle and Shawn Buck, LeeAnn and Josh Campbell, Jill and Michael Dardick, Rebecca Vanicelli and Gary Donovitz, Meredith and Dan Rath, Sierra and John Rosener, Carrie and Juan-Carlos Ruck, Karen and Rick Schornack, Sara and Connor Terry, Kim Grogan and John Werra, and Ashley and Lance Whitworth. Celeste and Kurt Zuch, with The Stephenson Foundation, served as honorary chairs for the evening that raised a whopping $4.6 million for Folds of Honor.
Proceeds from the gala will go toward providing educational scholarships that support private school tuition and tutoring for grades K-12, as well as funds for college, post-graduate work, and technical or trade schools, for families of fallen or disabled US military service members and first responders. Since its founding in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 62,000 scholarships totaling $290 million in all 50 states.
