Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) hosted the 12thannual Chick Lit Luncheon presented by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel on Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Luncheon chair Mersina Stubbs with honorary chair Nancy Perot welcomed a record-breaking crowd of close to 1,400 to the annual fundraiser featuring actress Katie Holmes, known for her work in films and television and on Broadway.
Attendees arrived for a pre-luncheon reception in the Chantilly Ballroom foyer, while select sponsors were treated to a special VIP reception with Ms. Holmes. Raffle tickets were available for sale for a chance to win fabulous prizes such as a $2,500 shopping experience at Highland Park Village, a freshwater baroque pearl necklace with pave diamond beads and clasp from Susan Saffron Jewelry Boutique, a $1,000 gift certificate to Central Market, a $1,000 gift certificate to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, a weekend for two to LA, and more.
At 11:30 a.m., luncheon-goers progressed to the ballroom for the seated luncheon. As guests took their seats, chair Mersina Stubbs welcomed everyone and thanked them for their support of this year’s Chick Lit Luncheon. She also thanked honorary chair Nancy Perot, as well as the many sponsors and donors who helped make the day possible, including presenting sponsor Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel. Rev. Elizabeth Mosely, senior associate minister of discipleship at Highland Park United Methodist Church, followed with the invocation, before luncheon-goers enjoyed a delicious lunch of tarragon grilled chicken breast with a yogurt and tahini drizzle, served with fresh butter lettuce, quinoa with chickpeas, cucumber, mint, baby heirloom tomatoes, Kalamata olives and crumbled feta with a smoked paprika sherry vinaigrette.
Paige McDaniel, president and CEO of Community Partners of Dallas, took the stage to recognize Jan Rees-Jones, the 2018 recipient of the Partners for Children Award, given to individuals or organizations for their commitment to meeting the philanthropic needs of our community. McDaniel commended Rees-Jones for her work on behalf of The Rees-Jones Foundation, which has helped CPD and the children they serve in countless ways, including the organization’s emergency resource center for children entering protective care, the Rainbow Room, and as one of the lead donors of the agency’s capital campaign.
As guests enjoyed their dessert of a lemon semifreddo, McDaniel remained on stage to cue a moving video highlighting the work that CPD does in partnership with Child Protective Services for abused and neglected children. She then remained on the stage to elaborate on the agency and to ask attendees to consider making an additional contribution to help fund specific items such as cribs, car seats, coats and emergency duffle bags filled with clothing, hygiene products, a toy and more.
Event chair Mersina Stubbs returned to introduce Christina Geyer, editor in chief of PaperCity Dallas magazine, who would serve as moderator for the much-anticipated conversation with Katie Holmes. Stubbs followed with introduction of Holmes,whohas appeared in notable films ranging from the action blockbuster Batman Begins, to acclaimed art house pictures such as The Ice Storm and Pieces of April. In 1997 Holmes was cast as “Joey Potter” on the WB TV series Dawson’s Creek, and the show quickly became the highest-rated series on the WB network throughout its six-season run. In her Broadway debut, Holmes’ portrayal of Ann in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons garnered glowing reviews and established her as an accomplished actress on both screen and stage. At the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, Holmes unveiled All We Had, the first film she directed and also starred in. Upcoming films include Doorman, Ocean’s 8 and The Secret.
Answering a range of questions from Geyer, Holmes shared with the audience a few of her favorite books, her thoughts on the current “Girl Power” movement in Hollywood and throughout the U.S., which women inspire her, and details about the recent reunion of her Dawson’s Creek castmates. She then answered questions from the audience including how she would describe her fashion sense, her favorite go-to outfit on the weekends, in which she shared replied “sweats,” her favorite movie role to date, workout secrets and more.
As the celebration came to a close, guests received a favor bag with the latest issues of PaperCity and The Park Cities News, Mary Kay eye makeup remover, a $10 gift card from Zoe’s Kitchen, a adorable makeup pouch with complimentary monogramming courtesy of Paper Affair, and a generous Texas travel discount from Hilton.
Attendees at this year’s Chick Lit Luncheon included: chair Mersina Stubbs; honorary chair Nancy Perot; CPD president and CEO, Paige McDaniel; Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones; Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel, presenting sponsors; Lisa Cooley, Bela Cooley and Ciara Cooley; Tracy Lange; Gina Betts; Sandy Moore; Greg Nieberding; Daffan and Doug Nettle; Stacey Walker; Lynn McBee; Claire Emanuelson; Tucker Enthoven; Katy Miller; Jacqueline Sewell; Meredith Woodworth; Libby Hunt; Amy Turner; Amy Hegi; Ola Fojtasek; Bradley Agather; Lauryn Gayle White; Muffin Lemak; Jimmy Westcott; Jennifer Swift Houser; Holly Huffines; and Jill Tanabaum.
The Chick Lit Luncheonis made possible through the generosity of sponsors including:
Presenting Sponsor – Dr. Robert andLara Tafel;Batman Begins ($25,000) – Fischer;Interabang Books – Nancy Perot;JW Holmes; Marilyn and Sonny Oates Foundation; and Barry and Sandy Moore; Woman in Gold ($15,000) – Katy and Kyle Miller Foundation; valet sponsor - Sewell Automotive Companies; and Mersina Stubbs;The Romantics ($10,000) – Bullion; Lisa Cooley andTracy Lange; Digital 3 Printing/Greg Nieberding; Mary Kay Inc.; Pam Mattingly; andLucy andJohn W.B. McDaniel;The Giver ($5,000) – Benchmark Bank andMary Anne Dunne; Laura Braun andHelaine Blizzard; Children’s Health; From the Ground Up; Sue Graham; Libby Hunt; Caytie andShane Langford; Midfirst Private Bank; Moussa/Mahowald/Wensiger; Sandy Nachman; Jan Rees-Jones; Stacey Walker; andWinston & Strawn LLP; First Daughter ($3,500) – Leslie Baker, Holly Huffines andBecky Lacour; Ben Abbott & Associates; Tricia Besing; Karen and Mark Carney; EyeMed; Grant Thornton, LLP; Leigh Anne Haugh andHeather Hicks; Haynes and Boone, LLP; Hegi Family Foundation; Chris Kennington andMerry Wyatt; Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP; Kelly andMitch Little andNina andAndrew Bolin; Tracy Matthews andArden Ellis; Pam andVin Perella; Kathleen Ray; Jenny Robertson; Therese Rourk; Sidley Austin LLP; Evan Stone; Karen Tankersley; The Container Store; Amy Turner; Emily Wakefield; andZoe’s Kitchen; Print media sponsors: PaperCity and The Park Cities News; Digital media sponsor - MySweetCharity.
For more information, visit communitypartnersdallas.org.