Celebrating Its 35th Year! Bryan’s House Power of You 2023 Awards Luncheon Earned $320,000 In Net Proceeds – A New Record!
(Featured photo: Stephen Hoyl, Honorary Chair and sponsor; Dr. Carla Russo, Luncheon Co-Chair; Chef Kent Rathbun, Host; Regina Bruce, Luncheon Co-Chair.)
It was cheers and a standing ovation at the Bryan’s House Power of You 2023 Awards Luncheon Patron Party and Check Presentation recently when luncheon chairs Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo announced the record-setting net proceeds of $320,000!
Celebrating its 35th Anniversary, Bryan’s House mission is to provide children with special needs and their families with trusted case management, educational, therapeutic, and medically-supported care. Linda White, Bryan’s House Director of Finance, enthusiastically confirmed that this year’s luncheon’s net proceeds are by far the most monies ever raised from a single fundraising event in the nonprofit’s 35-year history.
Celebrity Chef Kent Rathbun hosted the soirée in his home, welcoming over 75 patrons to share in the news and opening his den’s back wall to the star-lit evening as guests wandered outside in the fabulous weather and strolled throughout the grounds.
Entering the party, everyone was greeted with a festive tall Christmas tree and a miniature Christmas tree trimmed with playful art supplies that was part of a family Christmas celebration project chaired by luncheon underwriting chair David Andrews, especially for the Bryan’s House Holiday Family Celebration sponsored by Lone Star Monarchs.
Sumptuous hors d’oeuvres were passed throughout the evening accompanied by libations, including the Holiday Hibiscus specialty cocktail sponsored by Jeanne Lewis, champagne and wines. It was all topped off with festively hand-designed, rich truffles donated by Kate Weisler Chocolates and parting favors of sugar cookies by Oh, Sugar in a fun Mason jar also donated by the Lone Star Monarchs.
Carla and Regina’s presentation began with thank you’s to everyone who has supported Bryan’s House not only with the luncheon, but also through the events Lone Star Monarchs sponsored this past year with volunteers’ and sponsors’ grassroots support, including the Teacher’s Day luncheon, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas family celebrations and more.
Recognizing fashion designer André Yabin in the crowd tonight, Carla thanked Anna Berman for modeling Andre’s custom LOVE jacket, David Andrews for serving as the luncheon’s underwriting chair, Elizabeth Smith as the auction chair, and especially Stephen Hoyl, who served as honorary chair and went a huge step further, with Hoyl Financial underwriting the cost of every seat at the luncheon, donating it all to Bryan’s House.
Continuing with the presentations, Dr. Keith Mankin, board chair, presented the Employee of the Year Award to Marilyn Quinones, in celebration of her 19 years of service with heart and passion at Bryan’s House. He also presented Regina and Carla with a gift, thanking them for their hard work, support and commemorating their history-making net proceeds from the luncheon.
Second Row: Rick Adams, Jeanne Lewis, Elizabeth Smith.
Third Row: David Andrews and friend, Anna Berman
Fourth Row: Joey Russo, John Pickett.
Regina and Carla then called for the luncheon committee to join them as they presented the check for $320,000 net luncheon proceeds to Bryan’s House.
After a rousing round of applause, Dr. Makin also received more applause when he introduced the new CEO of Bryan’s House, Jennifer Searles.
Carla and Regina thanked Kent for his generous hospitality and sponsorship of this evening’s event and invited him to draw the winners of the door prizes which included gift certificates for Shinsei Restaurant and Lover’s Seafood and Market and a LOVE clutch purse donated by Andre Rabin.
Sponsors included Printing and Signage Sponsor The UPS Store on Lemmon Avenue and Graphic Arts by Kristi Eakin Designs. Media sponsors were PaperCity magazine and People Newspapers.
About Bryan’s House: The mission of Bryan’s House is to provide children with special needs and their families with trusted case management, educational, therapeutic, and medically-supported care. www.BryansHouse.org
About Lone Star Monarchs: To inspire and nurture the human spirit, as together, we build an effective network of individuals and organizations to support a broad spectrum of charitable organizations in Dallas and throughout Texas. Lone Star Monarchs’ (LSM) purpose is exclusively educational and charitable to connect people and enrich lives.
LSM welcomes all people who value our mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations and communities. We promote volunteerism and a spirit of service.
LSM has no paid employees. All contributions and funds raised go to LSM services and grants for our service partners. www.lonestarmonarchs.org
Photos by Danny Campbell
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent Bryan’s House 2023 Luncheon, Patron Party and associated events and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)
