Enjoy A Dallas Afternoon Of Fashion & Philanthropy Benefiting Dec My Room

See How The Annual Sold-Out “Room to Grow” Luncheon At Northpark Center Flourished

By: Cynthia Smoot                 Photography by Tamytha Cameron 

THE SCENE: The Room to Grow Luncheon chairs, Ashley O’Malley and Heather Winn, welcomed nearly 300 attendees to the 7^th Annual Room to Grow Luncheon and Fashion Presentation to the South Court at NorthPark Center. More than $150,000 was raised benefiting Dec My Room, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating transformative, healing places for children and young adults in extended hospital stays. 

THE VIBE: The rain outside moved the party indoors, but it didn’t dampen the sunny spirits of the attendees dressed in their latest spring fashions. Upon arrival, partygoers mingled while sipping Madre prosecco and Lalo Tequila’s Sahara sunrise cocktail and enjoying passed canapés. 

Tables were adorned with safari-themed linens, inspired by this year’s Celebrate Flight Award recipient Ellison Liechty’s love of elephants, and floral centerpieces by Petal & Field. Dec My Room North Texas area director Heather Smith shared the organization’s mission. Founded 17 years ago in Houston by Susan Plank and her daughter Kendall, Dec My Room’s aims to create personalized healing places for children admitted for three weeks or longer. 

Devoted advocate of Dec My Room and past Room to Grow Luncheon presenter Kameron Westcott was recognized with the second annual Monarch Servant Heart Award given to an ardent and continued supporter of Dec My Room’s mission. Mother-daughter volunteer duo Sofia Gonzalez and Aynalie Charron were honored as this year’s Dec My Room Heart of Gold Volunteer Award recipients for their outstanding service to the organization, having “Dec’d” 27 rooms in the past year alone. Ellison Liecthy was posthumously honored with the 2025 Celebrate Flight Award, presented each year to a patient or individual whose experience or actions epitomize Dec My Room’s mission and who inspires all the Dec My Room supporters. Ellison’s mom, Julie, accepted the award on her behalf and shared Ellison’s brave fight against acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which began in September 2019. Dec My Room was privileged to transform her hospital room into a safari for her 13th birthday before passing in 2020.

Neiman Marcus’ Jodi Kahn, Vice President of Luxury Fashion, and Bruce Pask, Senior Editorial Director, facilitated a fashion presentation with must-have looks this spring for men and women, as models showcased the season’s top trends. As the event came to a close guests progressed to Neiman Marcus for shopping and champagne where looks from the presentation were available to shop.

Notable attendees included Co-chairs Ashley O’Malley and Heather Winn, Nancy Nasher, president of NorthPark Development Company, Nina Sachse, Courtney Derderian, Cathy James, Melissa Sherrill Martin, Erika Burton, Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Pamela Stuart, Medley Turner, Karen Michlewicz, Lisa Ogle, Emily Billingsley, Merrick Huckin, Dawn Greiner, Terra Najork Peterson, Sue Fair, Nancy Gopez, Andrea Nayfa, Kristen Gibbins and Andrea Weber.

THE NON-PROFIT: Founded 17 years ago in Houston, Dec My Room, Inc. helps to create a healing place for children being admitted into a hospital for a prolonged amount of time. Dec My Room volunteers personalize the hospital room 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 over 190 hospitals in 27 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 10^th year in service.