Rob Giardinelli
The Evening Boasted Legacy, Philanthropy, And Sparkling Style Unite To Champion Texas Children And Families
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Buster Jetter
THE SCENE: The Fairmont Hotel in downtown Austin was the setting for one of the Capital City’s most anticipated annual fundraising events. Nearly 3,000 of the area’s most notable children’s advocates, community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists of all ages gathered for the 83rd Annual Helping Hand Home Crystal Ball. Benefiting the Helping Hand Home for Children, the multi-generational event was a sensational night of fun and philanthropy that those fortunate enough to be a part of will not soon forget. Before the gala, the fabulous event began with a full day of festivities, beginning at 10 am with a brunch and fashion show and the presentation of the ball’s First Grade Princesses, an introduction of the Helping Hand Girls (9th graders), and the college-aged Debutantes. Guests reconvened that evening for the event’s hallmark black-tie Debutante Presentation.
THE VIBE: The black-tie crowd ranged from traditional formal attire to bright colors and bold prints. When combined with the vibrantly white dresses of the debutantes and princesses on various courts, it created a youthful, vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere.
As guests ascended the escalators to the sixth-floor ballroom foyer of the Fairmont, an electric feeling of excitement was in the air as a new era of the event commenced, which was the first at its new location. Once they exited the escalators, revelers took the opportunity to pose for images on several Step-and-Repeat activations throughout the Fairmont ballroom foyer. Others could be seen perusing a substantial, curated list of impressive silent auction items and experiences up for bid.
The doors to the Fairmont Manchester Ballroom opened as guests filed to their seats. Upon entering the space, jaws dropped to the floor at the sight of a ballroom that was reminiscent of an 18th-century European ballroom. In the space, one found elegant tables featuring white linens and vibrant pink floral bouquets that beautifully complemented the pink drapes and many chandeliers that anchored the back of the room.
While guests dined on their delectable, multi-course meals, emcee Jim Spencer of KXAN kept the crowd entertained and the festivities moving at a fun, brisk pace. The highlight of the program was the presentation courts. Presentations included elementary school-aged Princesses and Princes, the Helping Hand Boys and Girls, and the Debutantes, who, dressed in classic white ballgowns, walked down the runway with their escorts. At the end of their presentations, each debutante received a bouquet of pink roses, hydrangeas, and orchids, presented by their junior escort, courtesy of Westbank Flower Market.
The 30 debutantes presented this year were: Paisley Grace Armstrong, Lucy Tweedy Bowles, Caroline Grace Bray, Rachel Claire Buchanan, Cawthra Reed Burns, Elizabeth Anne Childress, Lucy Caroline Cowden, Mary Claire Cox, Caroline Brooke Cullen, Clark Copeman Davis, Caroline Jane Goldman, Caroline Adelle Greenberg, Parker Ross Hall, Carrie Elizabeth Hempfling, Caroline Page Johnson, Ella O’Keefe Johnson, Stormy Kingsland Maebius, Marin Michaux Magids, Layne Belle Metschan, Claire Elaine Nix, Katherine Alyssa Oddo, Shay Harper Oliver, McClane, Elizabeth Owens. Addison Ellen Richards, Sophie Sinclaire Schultz, Tatum Emory Shiflet, Caroline Blake Simmons, Elizabeth Graham Slover, Clara Lynne Tolleson, and Milania Faith Welsh.
After the presentation, the fun continued as the many debutantes and princesses took the moment to dance with their fathers in celebration of the night. After which, the party continued well into the night as several generations of revelers danced to the tunes of the popular Austin-based band Love & Happiness.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 83rd Annual Helping Hand Home Crystal Ball, chaired by Kerri Ann Chambless and Ginny Liverman, raised over $2 million for the Helping Hand Home for Children. Proceeds from the event will support programs and services that fulfill the organization’s mission to bring Hope and Healing to children and families through a continuum of trauma-informed, therapeutic care, including residential, foster, adoption, and support services.to help children heal from complex trauma.
