FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2010

Crystal Charity Ball

Inside:Ball Chair Cynthia Mitchell Pulls Back The Curtain

Underwriters Get a Special ‘Thank You’

Ball Helps Build New Center for Child Abuse Victims

An Evening in

2B | DECEMBER 3, 2010

Crystal Charity Ball

We heard you were a Sunset High School grad. Is that true?I graduated from Sunset a long time ago [chuckles], back in 1971.

I’m sure you were active in school. What kind of extracurricular activities did you participate in?Well, I was editor of the yearbook and secretary of the student council. Oh, and I was “Senior Girl Most Likely to Succeed” in 1971.

Seriously?Yes. I don’t know if they still do those kinds of things or not, like “Most Popular” or “Most Beautiful.” Maybe they don’t do things like that anymore, but back then they did a number of categories, like six or eight categories, and one was “Senior Girl Most

Likely to Succeed.” And Sunset still gives an award to the graduating senior that typifies the best traits of the class, and it’s called the “Bison of the Year.” So, I got the “Bison of the Year” award in 1971.

You’ve lived in Dallas for how long now?Well, I was born here in Baylor Hospital, so I’ve lived my entire life here ... I also split my time — but not this year, this is a full-time job, you report to the office every day, 365 days a year, from 8:30 to 5:30 like a paid person, but you’re not paid — but we also have a summer home in Connecticut.

That’s got to be lovely, considering the ridiculously hot Texas summers.It is. We got [the summer home] about 10 years ago. I was only able to go

for two weeks this past summer. Normally, I go from Memorial Day to Labor Day, because it just gets so hot here.

How long have you been a part of the Crystal Charity Ball program? This is my 13th year, and I’ve done a number of the major committee jobs through the years before I was ball chairman this year. I’ve done a lot of work in the community in Dallas, but this has been my all-time favorite, the 13 years I’ve spent at Crystal Charity Ball.

Besides showing up at the office 365 days a year and not getting paid, what else does the ball chairman do?We have 99 active members besides me. There’s a total of 100 of us, and you are really managing those

Pulling Back The Curtain

Ball chairman gives readers a look at what the annual soiree really involves

BY JOANNA ENGLAND I Staff Writer

As chairman of the Crystal Charity Ball, Cynthia Mitchell reports to the organization’s Highland Park Village office almost every day, like most workers. But the only compensation she’ll receive are the “oohs” and

“aahs” of ballgoers at the Dec. 4 event. Mitchell, whose graciousness is nonpa-reil, took a few minutes out of her day to chat with us about herself, the ball’s mission, and this year’s not-to-be-missed soiree.

PHOTO: JAMES FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Cynthia Mitchell, the 2010 Crystal Charity Ball chair, is a Dallas native. The Sunset High School grad was the class of 1971’s “Senior Girl Most Likely to Succeed” and “Bison of the Year.”

Crystal Charity Ball DECEMBER 3, 2010 | 3B

committees, and you’re really managing the fundraising. This year, our goal was just more than $4.1 million. So you’re managing the fundraising effort, which is why we exist — to raise critically needed funds for children’s projects in Dallas County. So, you’re not only managing all of the major committees and all of the fundraising, but you’re also managing the committees that select the beneficiaries, where the funding goes. That’s a big part of our work. And we’re managing the actual event planning of the ball, which is a big “thank you” to the underwriting donors.

Can you tell us a little about this year’s theme and what ball goers can expect?The theme is “An Evening in Imperial Kyoto,” and basically it is 18th century Japan. I’ve traveled to Japan a number of times, and I was in Kyoto on the last trip a couple of years ago right after I was selected to be ball chairman. So I was in Japan on a trip, and I’ve always loved it — especially Kyoto because it’s absolutely gorgeous in terms of the temples and the colors; just everything about it is beautiful. In all the years we’ve had Crystal Charity Ball, we’ve never had a Japanese theme, so I gave it a lot of thought, and decided that “An Evening in Imperial Kyoto” would be fabulous. There’s some emphasis on Japanese art, because Kyoto is filled with hundreds of Japanese gardens and

temples. Tom Addis is the ball designer again this year, and the floral is by Junior and Maria Villanueva at the Garden Gate Floral Design. We brought in Lambert Landscape Design — they have been in Dallas since the late ’20s — and they’ve never partnered with us before, but they came in to do the three Japanese gardens. We also have a wonderful collector — Asia Style — that has antique and vintage Japanese wedding kimonos, and there will be a stunning display of those. We will also have an opening production of authentic Japanese taiko drummers. It’s really going to be beautiful in terms of floral arrangements, the Japanese gardens, the geishas, the color, the Japanese music — it’s really going to be fabulous. We’re sort of dividing the area, in that each area inside the hotel will represent a season in Japan. Think lots and lots of cherry blossoms, bamboo, and wonderful temple gates. We think it’s going to be extra-special wonderful this year.

It sounds like you’re creating a different world inside the hotel.Yes, that’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to really create authentic 18th century Japan for you to experience. Japan just has a glorious culture, so we expect the décor to be really over-the-top. We’ve been able to do this kind of thing this year and in this economy because of our partners, such as

Lambert’s Landscape, who are giving a wonderful gift to help us. Because of them we’re able to do this.

One last question: Do you plan on wearing a kimono? You’re so funny!

[laughing] Actually, I do not. We had a theme announcement party, and I sort of got into it then, but my official ball gown is Escada Couture with jewelry from Richard Eiseman. Even though it’s not a

kimono, it actually has a fan pattern on it. So it kind of goes along with the theme, but it wasn’t intentional. I don’t plan on wearing a kimono because my husband loves to dance, and you cannot move in a

kimono. You’re all bound under there. On my last trip to Japan, I went to an all-day class on how to dress in a kimono, and you wouldn’t believe all of what’s under there!

E-mail joanna.england@peoplenewspapers.com

Cynthia Mitchell drew on her trips to Kyoto, Japan, as inspiration for this year’s Crystal Charity Ball theme, “An Evening in Imperial Kyoto.”

Kyoto is home to hundreds of traditional Japanese gardens and temples, which will be replicated at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.

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Crystal Charity Ball

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The Crystal Charity Ball committee knew that a note on the nicest Crane stationery just wasn’t enough to thank the ball’s underwriters. After all, they had provided the funding to help the area’s most prestigious gala benefit various children’s charities.

Instead the ladies served up a Nov. 3 party at Lauryn Gayle and Tom White’s estate to set the mood for “An Evening in Imperial Kyoto” on Dec. 4 at the Hilton Anatole. Ball chair Cynthia Mitchell and underwriter chair Robyn Conlon had Japanese touches for the ear, eye, and the palate throughout the Whites’ mansion.

Along the serving bar in the gourmet kitchen were sushi platters of maki-zushi and California rolls. It was a sushi lover’s idea of finger food heaven. To the side was a wooden box holding a small mountain of sushi dynamite — was-abi.

Knowing that everyone doesn’t consider sushi to be the end all of one-bite edibles, the ladies offered an alternative in the dining room. There was a table with silver bowls teeming with shrimp, trays of fruits and cheeses, and chafing dishes simmering with dips.

Ah, but the food didn’t stop there. As guests ven-tured back to the den,

they discovered a perfect example of East meet-ing West. Not only were there mini-hamburgers and Reubens but also the sights and sounds of Japan in full swing.

Suzuki Institute of Dallas executive director Nicolette Solomon had her student musicians dressed in kimonos and playing to a packed house. The tiny musicians were a level above adorable, both pleasing to the eye and ear.

The evening’s conversa-tions touched on all topics ranging from politics to what to wear to the ball. Should it be traditional formal gowns or would it be too outlandish to wear a kimono?

That question will be answered on Saturday.

A ‘Thank You’ That Pushes The EnvelopeBall underwriters’ partywas a mix of East and West

JEANNE PREJEANjeanne.prejean

@mysweetcharity.com

PHOTOS: JEANNE PREJEAN

Tom and Cynthia Mitchell with Cynthia McFall and Bob Helms

Underwriter chair Robyn Conlon Students of the Suzuki Institue of Dallas played for the Crystal Charity Ball’s underwriters.

Above: Sushi and other international eats were off ered to guests.

Left: Barbara Daseke and James French

Crystal Charity Ball DECEMBER 3, 2010 | 5B

BY JOANNA ENGLANDStaff Writer

Child abuse statistics are extraordinarily hard to swallow, knowing that with each number comes a face and a heartbreak-ing story. But in 1991, the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center opened its doors, beginning its work to help children recover from the cycle of abuse.

After almost 20 years in an old home with a wrap-around porch on Swiss Avenue, the center now serves almost 3,000 child abuse victims and family members annually. With help from the Crystal Charity Ball, the organiza-tion hopes to serve even more clients with a new $11 million center.

Di Johnston, Crystal Charity Ball selection committee chair, said the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center’s story and mission moved several members.

“I think Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center spoke to us because it’s a critical need,” Johnston said. “It’s gripping when you’re talk-ing about children who have experienced child abuse. ”

As one of the ball’s ben-eficiaries, the center will receive $750,000 to build a forensic interview wing that will provide a com-fortable, safe environment for abused children to tell their stories.

F o r M a r y B l a k e Meadows, a member of the

center’s board of trustees, just being selected as a ball beneficiary has helped the center.

“ D a l l a s C h i l d r e n ’s Advocacy Center has never been funded by Crystal Charity Ball,” Meadows said. “We felt this was our chance to get our mission in front of 100 civic leaders, and increase our visibility in the community.”

Going from an applicant to a beneficiary is a lengthy process, which often takes the better part of five months. During the pro-cess, members are asked to listen to their hearts, and to vote for an agency to which they would be will-ing to contribute their own

money and not just ball funds. Whether the agency speaks to a critical need for children in Dallas County is another important factor, Johnston said.

As for critical needs,

Meadows is quick to point out that the center is unique.

“We are the only orga-nization in the county that does this, that has profes-sionals who can talk to

children and really help,” Meadows said.

Having the center’s mis-sion affirmed by an orga-nization such as the ball is the icing on the cake.

“It just gave us the

G o o d Ho u s e k e e p i n g Seal of Approval that you know, we are a top charity even though we weren’t known by a lot of people,” Meadows said.

If you ask Johnston, the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center wouldn’t have made the cut if it wasn’t a worthy cause.

“You know, the phrase, ‘The cream always rises to the top,’ is really pertinent,” Johnston said. “That’s not to say that other agencies weren’t valid and needy and had great stories, but these are the ones that really spoke to the hearts of the members at Crystal Charity.”

E-mail joanna.england@peoplenewspapers.com

Helping Children Heal From AbuseCrystal Charity Ball gives $750K toward new Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center

ILLUSTRATION: GOOD FULTON & FARRELL ARCHITECTS

The new $11 million Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center will be built along Interstate 30, just north of Samuell Boulevard near Jim Miller Road.

OTHER CRYSTAL CHARITY BALL BENEFICIARIESBoys and Girls Club of TexasAmount: $596,222Project: Enhance and sup-port year-long educational programming for teens

Parkland FoundationAmount: $827,858Project: Build a neo-natal pediatric pharmacy in the new hospital

Children’s Medical Center of DallasAmount: $997,212Project: Establish a comprehensive high-risk asthma program (“Asthma is one of the major rea-sons why children come to Children’s Medical Center,” Di Johnston said. “Most of the visits at the emergency room are related to child-hood asthma.”)

Dallas Home Access FundAmount: $350,000Project: Provide for disabled-friendly modifi-cations to the homes of low-income, physically challenged children

The Family PlaceAmount: $590,981Project: Fund Faith and Liberty’s Place Family Center for three years

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Crystal Charity Ball

TOP DONORSThe Oct. 27 Circle of Angels dinner hosted by Shy and Charlotte Anderson honored top Crystal Charity Ball

donors, who contribute $25,000 or more.

PHOTOS: DANA DRIENSKY

Robyn and Don Conlon

Right: Annette and Harold Simmons with Cynthia Mitchell

Kenny and Lisa Troutt Rachael and Bob Dedman

Crystal Charity Ball DECEMBER 3, 2010 | 7B

Clint and Nancy Carlson Dwight and Claire Emanuelson Doug and Vicky LattnerSharon and Mike Jones

Carl and Peggy Sewell Tom White and Lauryn Gayle