Go Behind The Scenes One Of Austin’s Top Attended Fundraising Gala Of The Year: The Helping Hand Home Crystal Debutante Ball

Beautiful Debs, With Dashing Escorts, Make Their “Texas Dips”

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Buster Jetter Photography and Rose Betty Williams

THE SCENE: The Palmer Events Center in Austin was the setting for one of the city’s most anticipated and most highly attended fundraising galas of the year. Over 2000 community leaders, socialites, philanthropists, and children’s advocates turned out for the 82nd Annual Crystal Ball to cheer on the debutantes making their bow to society, also known as the “Texas Dip” here in Texas. Benefiting the Helping Hand Home for Children, the full day’s worth of festivities spanned from late morning to the wee hours of the following morning, resulting in a seven-figure fundraising haul for one of the city’s most beloved organizations.

THE VIBE: The Black-tie crowd featured ensembles throughout the day, where one could spot a mix of traditional black-tie ensembles…with some adding in bold-colored tuxedo jackets and ball gowns. The result was a well-heeled, festive environment for all who attended.

The festivities began with a champagne brunch at 10 AM. During the brunch, guests turned out to see the presentation of first-grade princesses so they could experience the day’s pageantry in the evening, past their bedtimes. Additionally, brunch guests were introduced to the 9th-grade Helping Hand Home girls and college-aged debutantes. One of the most heartwarming things about the Helping Hand Home Crystal Ball is that it is common to see four generations seated at a single table, which showcases the long-established family ties to the organization over the decades.

Revelers then returned to the Palmer Events Center at 7 PM for the main presentation. The festivities began with a lively cocktail hour where guests cozied up to one of the many bars to grab their favorite spirits. During the cocktail hour, guests posed for images on a step and repeat and popped into a photo booth to grab keepsake images for the evening. While the cocktail hour was happening, many guests turned their eyes to the silent auction area. Here, bidders spotted their favorite items and kept close tabs on their favorite luxury items and experiences via their phones, whether auction items were for themselves or a beloved family member.

During the next part of the evening, attendees headed to their seats for the main presentation. As guests dined on multi-course meals, they were treated to brief words from organization leaders. Next came the main event, the 82nd Helping Hand Home Crystal Ball Court presentation. The 9th-grade Helping Hand Home Boys and Girls were presented one by one. The presentation was capped off with the presentation of the 2025 Helping Hand Home Debutantes, their Escorts, and Junior Escorts.

The members of the 82nd Crystal Ball Debutante Court benefiting the Helping Hand Home are: Stella Jewel Agnew, Theresa Elisabeth Beathard, Westen Emily Blackbird, Lee Clare McIntyre Bogart, Daisy Ella Botkin, Mary Ella McCullough Bundy, Kendall Grace Cedar, Kate Whitcomb Chesney, Lillian Elyse Clark, Avery Elizabeth Cline, Caroline Celeste Corbett, Avery Marie Downing, Mary Frances Eckols, Mary Yeates Fish, Mason Michelle Galligan, Alexandra Blake Gilmour, Hardin Lea Hanson, Layne Blake Jenkins, Melanie Margaret Kocurek, Madeline Patricia Marks, Brynley Alexandra May, Anika Love Monsivais, Brynn Christine Perry, Ellie Rose Peterson, Alexandra Lucia Precourt, Claire Davis Price, Ava, Marie Renspie, Ellis Kendall Sartain, Cora Christiana Strehli, Natalie Scott Sulester, Ruby Leyton Tynberg, Anna Parke Wayne, Faith Ann Wilcox, Louise Hamilton Wittenbraker and Payten Lynn Wyche.

After the presentation, the fun continued well into the night. Several generations hit the dance floor to cut a rug courtesy of the tunes of Austin-based band Love & Happiness Band, capping off an epic day of fun and fundraising that those enough to be a part of will not soon forget. Westbank Flowers provided floral decor, catering was by Rosemary’s Catering, and the car raffle was a Mazda CX90 courtesy of Roger Beasley.

THE NON-PROFIT: The 82^nd Helping Hand Home Crystal Ball, co-chaired by Meredith Bagan and Taylor Harper, raised over $2 million for Helping Hand Home for Children. Since its founding over 130 years ago, the organization has provided services for children who have experienced trauma and abuse. Proceeds from the event will offer services in three critical program areas: Foster, adoption, and post-adoption services, 24-hour residential and therapeutic care, and an on-site University of Texas Charter School.