Celebrating Its 21st Year! KidneyTexas, Inc. The Runway Report 2020 Luncheon and Fashion Show Our Sole Mission: Transformations
(Featured photo: Back Row: Heather Cooper, Lori Bush, Cile McCormick, Kendra Karlock, Barenda Hino, Celia Crank. Front Row: Jolie Humphrey, Honorary Chair and hostess; Therese Rourk.)*
Sandy Secor, president of KidneyTexas, Inc. and Sharon Ballew, chair of the 21st KidneyTexas, Inc. The Runway Report 2020 Luncheon and Fashion Show | Our Sole Mission: Transformations, took a very brave step in the spring of 2020 when they were deciding if the KidneyTexas, Inc. Luncheon and Fashion show was going to be in person or an entirely new format for this fall event.
Sharon said, “With the onset of Covid-19, we had to re-think how we can continue with our mission of transforming lives by fighting Kidney Disease – but doing it safely. With this in mind, we tried something new, a little outside the box.”
The entire event was virtual and streamed to all ticket holders, underwriters and sponsors. Table hosts at certain levels had champagne, a floral table centerpiece and lunch provided by Preston Hollow Catering delivered to their home or business for their guests. Teams of society photographers dropped by many hosts homes and captured photos of the fun. Individual tickets holders received a lunch delivered to them. While everyone enjoyed lunch, the Kidney Texas Show was streamed to watch in the comfort of their home or business.
The video opened with a nod to the meaning of the theme Our Sole Mission: Transformations featuring butterflies, having transformed from caterpillars, fluttering away symbolizing a fresh perspective on life.
Emcee Scott Murray, Murray Media, welcomed Sandy and Sharon and introduced Jolie Humphrey, honorary chair. She revealed a wonderful surprise, a Special Recognition Proclamation from City of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson recognizing KidneyTexas, Inc., its fundraising, beneficiaries and adherence to all city and state recommendations and guidelines.
(Photos taken from the video.)****
Murray announced Sue Goodnight Service Award Honorees Lorraine Meenan and Mary Miller and Everson Walls Legacy Award honoree, Richard Dickerman MD, Surgical Director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, General and Vascular Surgery at Methodist Health System. Also recognized were founding members, longtime volunteers and supporters Barbara Bigham, Patricia Cowlishaw, Emilynn Wilson, Patty Jo Turner, Carole Murray, Patty Caolo and Nancy Carter. Brief films and testimonies were shared from the beneficiaries Camp Reynal of the National Kidney Foundation, Texas Health Resources Foundation and Methodist Health System Foundation.
Fashion show producer Jan Strimple introduced Devon Freeman, Global Education and Events Director with stila, who shared tips and tricks to enliven our makeup even with masks on, concentrating on eyes, texture, tone and a sheer finish.
She then introduced Nerissa von Helpenstill and Dustin Holcomb from TOOTSIES, fashion show sponsor. They delighted everyone with eight scenes of very wearable fashions, including trends of paper bag waist pants, vegan leather, 90s plaid, a favorite color cobalt, a little more hippie chic patchwork, fuchsia, embellished sleeves, flower prints and more.
They also included a scene of each of their favorite fashions including jewelry designer Zofia Day’s butterfly collection, with a 10% donation back to KidneyTexas, Inc. as well as designer Catherine Regehr’s creations, perfect to fit three generations of women, grandmother, mother and daughter. And continuing a TOOTSIES’ longtime tradition of supporting KidneyTexas, Inc., a $50 discount of a purchase of $100 or more through October 15, 2020. As the finale, the models stood all together and video producer Maurice Ballew, MCBVIDEOS Production, worked his magic transforming them into a gold cloud chrysalis letting loose butterflies, flying to the sky.
The event finale topped it all off and made everyone smile with an upbeat tongue-in-cheek rendition by Phoenix Chamber Choir from Vancouver BC, Canada in multi-screen style joining together and singing a song with adapted lyrics by Nicholle Andrews and Zach Timson about COVID-19’s impact on our everyday lives to the tune of Billy Joel’s “The Longest Time.”
Underwriters as of print time included: Social Distancing Runway: Baylor Scott & White Health. Facemask Designer: Jolie Humphrey, Honorary Chair. The Highnesses of Hand Hygiene: Sharon Ballew, Luncheon Chair; Children’s Health, Helga Feldman, Ed Haggar Family Foundation, Methodist Health System Foundation, Diane Scovell, TOOTSIES. Zoom Trendy Accessories: Charlotte Kimberlin, Mona Munson, Venise Stuart.
In closing, Sandy wants everyone to know, “One thing remains the same, Kidney Disease continues to strike all ages and is devastating for our friends and family. Since its founding in 1999, KidneyTexas, Inc. has provided more than $3.7 million in local funding to help in the search for a cure, to promote research, enhance treatment and support quality renal care in our community. We thank you for joining in our efforts to find a cure, improve treatment and provide better care for our neighbors in need.”
Membership in KidneyTexas, Inc. is open to everyone! Benefits include receptions and events in private homes, special parties, educational meetings, field trips and more. Visit the web site at http://www.kidneytexas.org, email kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net or call 214-891-0896.
By the Numbers:
* 150 Lunches were made by Preston Hollow Catering.
* 146 Lunches and goody bags were delivered. Some picked up their own.
* 13 drivers delivered to 51 addresses in a two-hour timeframe.
* 180 people tuned in to The KidneyTexas Show.
* 25 zip codes: Deliveries were made in 25 different zip codes, including Dallas, the Park Cities, Mansfield, McKinney, Grapevine, The Colony, Flower Mound, and Sachse.
Mission Statement: The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.
Statistics: Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.
History: Celebrating its 21st Year in 2020! Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $3.7 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.
Each fall KidneyTexas, Inc. hosts its Luncheon & Fashion Show in an effort to raise money for designated beneficiaries and awareness for a disease that affects millions of people each year. The success of this event depends heavily upon the contributions and dedication of our Dallas business and community leaders. Your support is crucial to the success of our mission.
About TOOTSIES: Housed in a vast 20,000 square foot space in the Plaza at Preston Center, Tootsies is a modern full line specialty store offering the very best dresses, denim, ready to wear, shoes, handbags and jewelry. We are a one stop shop known for exceptional service and on site personal styling in addition to our curated collection of designers including A.L.C. Aquazurra, Brandon Maxwell, Cinq a’ Sept, Self Portrait, Ulla Johnson and Veronica Beard.
Photos by *Dana Driensky, **Daniel Driensky, ***Danny Campbell, ****Sharon Adams, PR.
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent KidneyTexas, Inc.)
