Smiles, Tears and Dancing the Night Away Celebrated AWARE Affair 2024: Boots, Buckles & Brain Health

Fighting Alzheimer’s Disease Since 1989

(Featured photo: Lacey Young, Angie Carpenter, Kamilia Smith, M.D., Event Co-Chairs.)

The minute everyone walked into Gilley’s Dallas for the AWARE Affair 2024: Boots, Buckles & Brain Health, the vibes brought smiles. The energetic dancing by the Richardson High School Desperados dance troupe raised spirits as they were clapping hands, slapping knees, twirling and shouting woo-hoo!

Chairs Angie Carpenter, Kamilia Smith, MD and Lacey Young were joined by  Karen Koop, AWARE’s president, in this celebration in support of AWARE, fighting Alzheimer’s disease since 1989.
       

In the silent auction, guests bid on trips, sports memorabilia, jewelry, and more. At the Wild Knox Hat Bar, they bought new hats or designed their own, bought tickets in the Whiskey & Bourbon Pull, had their boots professionally shined by Baron Brown or played Bain Games sponsored by For Love and Art, an AWARE Grant Recipient.
       

Honorary chairs emeriti were Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Lee Roy and Biddie Jordan, David McDavid, Jr. and the late Kim McDavid, Venise and Larry Stuart, Ellen Terry with her daughter, Amy Terry Kriegel and son, Todd Terry.

Advisory Committee members Stacey Jones Angel, Mari Epperson, Jolie Humphrey and Ann McKinley were joined by Don Epperson, Bart Humphrey, Dr. Holly Miori (chatting about her new book Millennial Philanthropy: Next Generation Fund Development for Professionals and Nonprofits) and her husband, Michael; Dr. Cindy Marshall, who had just been named winner of  the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry Jeanne Jackson-Siegel Clinician of the Year Award for 2024 and her husband, Dr. Duc Tran and more.        
       

Amy Vanderoef, emcee, TV host and spokesperson, welcomed the crowd and introduced the chairs. As they each spoke, their enthusiasm and energy filled the room. They thanked the honorary chairs emeritus, AWARE board and Host Committee greeted with applause from everyone.
       

Introducing Sharon Walker as the recipient of the Founder’s Spirit Award, Dr. Miori said that Sharon became familiar with AWARE when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Sharon has served on the Fundraising Committee for years as an avid supporter of AWARE, as well as the Grant Review committee, and is a past president. Everyone was delighted that she could attend this evening, having broken her shoulder recently. The crowd applauded as she approached the stage with her husband, Bob, who is also a board member.
       

It was time to present the Amy Osler Spirit of Education Leadership Award, which is named for the late Amy Osler, who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at a young age and was a devout volunteer with AWARE. She had a servant’s heart, always led with a smile and a tireless spirit. Her husband, Greg Osler was joined by Stacey Angel to present the award to Barbara Mathes. Having moved out of state, Barbara could not attend but in a statement, said, “I am humbled to receive this award and very proud of the accomplishments of the AWARE group, which is dedicated to keeping the funds raised in our community and continues to achieve their goals in the fight against Alzheimer’s and in support of those suffering from this horrible disease and their families, caregivers, research and Grant Recipients.” 

Nicole Bates led the invocation and afterwards, everyone enjoyed the buffet dinner, which was followed by a spirited game of Hats or Buckles, otherwise known as Heads or Tails.

The live auction featured items such as vacations in private homes and jewelry. David McDavid, Jr.  joined the auctioneer on stage and shared his stirring, heartfelt story about his late wife Kim, who also suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s, and topped off the live auction with the auction of Kim’s Purple Coat of Hope. Purple is the color of Alzheimer’s and since 2018, Kim and David have sponsored a purple jacket – or a few each year – to the live auction. As he was joined on stage by previous Purple Coat winners, this year, in loving memory of Kim, four were sold at $5,000 each to a rousing standing ovation.

Kamilia had everyone enthralled as she gave insight into her experience with her mother, who also battled Alzheimer’s disease for 18 years.  A call for donations with a paddle raise sponsored by Belmont Village Senior Living brought in more donations benefiting AWARE, which for over thirty years, has given hope and help to those in Dallas and the greater North Texas area affected by Alzheimer’s disease, including family members, caregivers and in support of its Grant Recipients.
       

Kaitlin Sanchez with the Breckenridge Band called people to come on up to the stage as she led the crowd in fun line dancing and all enjoyed the evening until the lights went out.
       

Sponsors also included Stacey Jones Angel for the Invitations; Patron Party sponsors Jolie and Bart Humphrey; Photo Experience: Dr. and Mrs. Gary B. Wood; Buckle sponsors Gail Plummer and John Cattaneo; Grant Education Presentation: Sharon and Bob Walker; Boot Shine: Drs. Kamilia and Ryan Smith.

AWARE undertakes thoughtful research and conduct site visits to identify non-profit organizations that actively help all those affected by Alzheimer’s in the north Texas community and award grants to assist them in their work. To date, AWARE has awarded nearly $14.5 million to worthy programs and research.  Learn more at the website www.awaredallas.org

AWARE Mission: AWARE is dedicated to fighting Alzheimer’s disease by providing funding and support to programs, projects, and research provided by nonprofit organizations that actively help individuals affected by Alzheimer’s in Dallas and the greater North Texas area.

AWARE conducts an annual grant review process by which grant applicants are carefully and thoughtfully vetted to ensure that grant dollars are awarded to organizations that provide outstanding services to Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers, and to those research institutions that are at the forefront of medical research in the treatment, prevention, and cure of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Together with compassion and dedication we can make a difference. Join AWARE now and join the fight.  www.AWAREDallas.org   Instagram: @awaredallas Facebook: @awaredallas

*Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent AWARE and its special events and announcements and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)