Chick Lit Luncheon co-chairs Tricia George and Mary Martha Pickens were joined by nearly 100 host committee members on Tuesday, March 21 for a kick-off celebration of the upcoming 11th annual luncheon benefiting Community Partners of Dallas (CPD).
Held at honorary chair Gail Fischer’s beautiful home, guests arrived and mingled while sipping “Skinnygirl” cocktails in honor of the brand’s creator, Bethenny Frankel, who will be the featured speaker for the April 21 Chick Lit Luncheon. Served in custom stemless wine glasses etched with the Chick Lit Luncheon logo, partygoers enjoyed their choice of Bethenny’s signature grapefruit margarita, white cranberry cosmo, margarita, white sangria or Chardonnay while nibbling on cocktail bites from Cassandra Fine Catering.
Raffle tickets for the opportunity to win one of three amazing prizes were also available including: Roberto Coin Perfect Diamond Hoop Earrings set in18-karat white gold with pavé white diamonds that trim the inner and outer hoop, donated by Bachendorf’s; Annabel Ingall “Cece” leather messenger bag with gold hardware and Krewe “Breton” sunglasses handcrafted in New Orleans with amber gradient lens, oyster motif frames and 24k gold plated hardware and a $500 gift card to Tootsies; and a fabulous weekend in New York City including airfare for two, a two-night weekend stay at The Yale Club of New York City, two breakfasts for two, a $200 gift card for dinner and two tickets to The Real Housewives of New York City Tour! Raffle tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100 and can be purchased now by calling CPD at 214.624.7621 or at the Chick Lit Luncheon. Winners need not be present to win.
Paige McDaniel, president and CEO of Community Partners of Dallas, gathered the crowd mid-way through the evening to thank everyone in attendance for their support of this year’s fundraiser, including presenting sponsors Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel. After sharing a brief story about a young boy that the organization had recently helped, she raised a glass to toast this year’s host committee in appreciation for their commitment to Dallas county’s abused and neglected children served by Child Protective Services (CPS).
Pre-party attendees included co-chairs Tricia George and Mary Martha Pickens, honorary chair and hostess Gail Corder Fischer, Paige McDaniel, president and CEO, Community Partners of Dallas, Lara Tafel, Katy Bock and Lori Anna Dees, underwriting co-chairmen, Stephanie Stollenwerck, Cindy Turner, Kim Gleason, Lisa Cooley, Megan Flanagan, Samantha Wortley, Francie Mancillas, Erin Taylor, Candace Winslow, Kristen Sanger, Caytie Langford, Kirsten Gappelberg, Heather Bonfield, Angela Nash, Christie Carter, Greg Nieberding, Juliette Coulter and Monica Egert Smith.
As guests departed, they were each gifted a Chick Lit Luncheon stemless wine glass and Skinnygirl sugar free mints.
The 11th annual Chick Lit Luncheon will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hilton Anatole. Long-time supporters The Bitzer and Needleman Families and Peacock Alley will receive the Partners for Children award for their ongoing commitment to the philanthropic needs of our community and years of service meeting the needs of abused and neglected children.
The Chick Lit luncheon will include a wine reception followed by a seated luncheon and remarks by best-selling author, natural foods chef, reality TV star, self-made businesswoman, and mom, Bethenny Frankel. Tables begin at $1,750 and a limited amount of individual tickets are on sale for $175. For more information, visit communitypartnersdallas.org.