26 DECEMBER 2016 PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL Committee Continues Mission to Serve Area Children SELECT AUCTION ITEMS French Countryside Canal Cruise Value: $14,000 COURTESY OF CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL 2016 Crystal Charity leaders: Ola Fojtasek, Silent Auction Chairman; Kristina Whitcomb, Children s Book Chairman; Susan Farris, Foundations Chairman; Claire Emanuelson, Underwriting Chairman; Christie Carter, Ball Chairman; and Elizabeth Gambrell, Special Gifts Chairman. By Rebecca Flannery Special Contributor The annual Crystal Charity Ball returns Dec. 3 at the Hilton Anatole and its fundraising legacy is getting bigger than ever. We didn t raise near the amount back then that we do now, 2016 ball chair Christie Carter said. It s grown so much over the years. Donors have contributed more than $130 million since the ball s inception in 1952. This year s total sum of $5,650,258 will be split among seven local children s charities. This year s beneficiaries include Captain Hope s Kids/Hope Supply Co., Community Partners of Dallas, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Notre Dame School of Dallas, Parkland Foundation, Teach For America, and The Family Place. The Crystal Charity Ball was designed to be a vehicle to raise money for children s charities in Dallas, Carter said. In order to be selected as a beneficiary, a charity must first meet a few basic qualifications: it must use the funding for projects and services in Dallas County and have served Dallas County children as a 501(c)(3)-designated nonprofit for three years prior to application. Around 40 or 50 charities apply and go through a four-month vetting process. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO WHEN: Sat., Dec. 3 WHERE: Hilton Anantole Dallas WHO: Crystal Charity Ball committee members and guests THEME: To Everything There is a Season $400K - $1.5M Typical donation $5,650,258 Total raised in 2016 7 Children s charities benefiting 100 Crystal Charity Ball committee members SOURCE: CRYSTALCHARITYBALL.ORG Delloite, one of our many philanthropic partners, donates its services to review the financial documents we require from the agencies requesting funding, Carter said. It gives [our donors] a stamp of approval that we ve had their finances looked at. According to Carter, the vetting process is important because of the enormity of the donations; Crystal Charity donates amounts typically ranging from $400,000 to $1.5 million to individual nonprofits. We like for our gift to be a significant impact to these agencies, Carter said. For some of these smaller agencies, they can be a transformational gift because the money provides for a variety of opportunities in that we bring them a whole new set of donors they have otherwise not been exposed to. The money does not come at an easy pace. The 100 annual members of Crystal Charity Ball work year-round reaching out to donors and raising the money that is awarded every April. We never stop looking for new donors, Carter said. But we are very lucky to have such incredibly loyal donors year after year. While Crystal Charity Ball is not able to comment on why a specific agency is selected, Carter said the 100 committee members vote on who will receive funding for the following year. It is completely up to the members to vote for which cause they feel is the most compelling that year, Carter said. We wish we could fund them all, as each application is so important to us. VIP Tour of The Star Value: Priceless Perfect Season Selected Wines Value: Priceless The Voice Finale Four VIP Tickets Value: Priceless
PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM DECEMBER 2016 31 CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL WHAT ARE THE CRYSTAL CHARITIES? Since 1952, the the Crystal Charity Ball Committee has given more than $131 million to groups and organizations that care for and about children. This year they will distribute a total of $5,650,258 to the following seven beneficiaries. CAPTAIN HOPE S KIDS/ HOPE SUPPLY CO. $600,000 THE PROJECT: Hope for Homeless Children The funds will be used over a period of three years to provide additional staff, inventory, transportation, and enhanced communication between their partner agencies. An additional 10,000 children will be served annually. COMMUNITY PARTNERS OF DALLAS $1,359,236 THE PROJECT: A Forever Home for Community Partners The funds will be used to help finish out and equip 12,636 square feet of space in the Community Partners of Dallas newly purchased facility in the Caring Corridor. Approximately 20,000 children will be served annually.
32 DECEMBER 2016 PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL TEACH FOR AMERICA $500,000 THE PROJECT: Elementary Education Initiative The funds will be used to recruit, train, and coach 80 Teach for America corps member teachers, filling vacancies in 28 high-need, low-income elementary schools in Dallas County. Approximately 4,400 children in Pre-K through 5th Grade will be served annually. GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS $976,000 THE PROJECT: STEM Center of Excellence Girl Exploration Center The funds will be used for the construction of the 4,936-square-foot Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Center. Girls will have the opportunity to expand their connection, interest, and understanding of STEM. Approximately 3,000 girls will be served annually. THE FAMILY PLACE $676,020 THE PROJECT: Children s Counseling Center The funds will be used to build and furnish the 3,000-square-foot Children s Counseling Center space in the new Family Place Building. They will also provide salary and benefits for one fulltime children s therapist who helps children affected by domestic violence. 350 children will be served annually. Now thru December 31st, 2016. CHOOSE FROM THESE TEXAS-SIZED OFFERS: O 12 MONTH CD 1.25% Annual Percentage Yield Minimum Opening Balance of $5,000 Maximum of $1 Million New Money Only Available for Personal and Business Accounts Early Withdrawals reduce earnings and may incur penalties O MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT.80% Annual Percentage Yield Minimum Opening Balance of $10,000 Rate guaranteed for 6 months After guaranteed period rate is subject to change New Money Only Available for Personal and Business Accounts 8235 Douglas Ave, Suite 100, Dallas, TX, 75225 O 214-445-5809
PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM DECEMBER 2016 33 CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL PARKLAND FOUNDATION $789,002 NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF DALLAS $676,020 THE PROJECT: Hearts and Hammers Campaign The funds will be used over a period of three years to purchase two passenger buses and to provide salaries for a new teacher and assistant teacher who will work with mild to moderately intellectually disabled students. 160 children will be served annually. THE PROJECT: Mobile Medical Clinic and Pediatric Screenings The funds will be used to replace and upgrade the Pediatric Mobile Medical Van serving homeless children. They will also be used to replicate the Healthy & Ready to Learn program, which offers comprehensive pediatric screenings. Approximately 2,000 children will be served annually.