Dallas Socialite Bombshells Skydive to Raise $140,000 for Veterans and First Responders
(Featured photo: Louise Griffeth, Mary Meier-Evans, Mary Martha Pickens, Mary Parker, Amy Turner, Lynn McBee, Lisa Shirley, Tanya Foster, Anthony Jackson (standing in for sister Jenna). Kneeling in front – Ryan “Birdman” Parrott)
On May 15, 2017, in a first-of-its-kind fundraiser, eight Dallas socialites each skydived for the first time ever to raise awareness and critical funding for organizations that serve the needs of wounded veterans and first responders. The “Alpha Squadron Bombshells” performed the tandem skydive as part of the Birds Eye View Project, a reality docudrama that utilizes extreme sports, stunts and stories to bring attention to the extreme needs of true American heroes. Together, the ladies raised more than $140,000 for the following organizations: Sons of the Flag, Carry the Load, 22Kill, Adaptive Training Foundation, America’s Mighty Warriors, Base Camp 40, Rebuilding Warriors, and Rosecrance Florian.
The skydive was performed with generous support from Skydive Spaceland Dallas and Wynne Transportation.
Ryan Parrott, former US Navy SEAL and founder of the Birds Eye View Project, said, “This was an extremely fun and exciting way to bring attention and much needed support to several organizations that work hard meeting the needs of those men and women who have sacrificed so much in service to our country and communities. These ladies, most of whom you would never expect to see jumping out of an airplane, rose to the challenge and provided an example for others to follow. It will be hard to top this experience but we look forward to telling the stories of other worthy organizations through the Birds Eye View Project.”
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The 2017 Bombshells, with their call signs, included:
Mary “El Capitan” Humphreys Parker – former Cattle Baron’s Ball chair, current member of Crystal Charity Ball;
Tanya “Fashionista” Foster – former Cattle Baron’s Ball chair, current member of Crystal Charity Ball;
Amy “Speed Racer” Turner – former Cattle Baron’s Ball chair, former Crystal Charity Ball member;
Mary “Flame” Meier-Evans – former Junior League of Dallas President, current member of Crystal Charity Ball;
Lynn “Maserati” McBee – former Junior League of Dallas President, current member of Crystal Charity Ball;
Lisa “Gem Girl” Shirley – Current Cattle Baron’s Ball Live Auction chair;
Mary Martha “Just Get It Done” Pickens – Former Cattle Baron’s Ball chair, current member of Crystal Charity Ball;
Louise “Happy Talk” Griffeth – Former Crystal Charity Ball Chair, former Junior League of Dallas Ball Chair;
Jenna “Director” Jackson (unable to skydive day of event) – Television and film producer, formerly of CBS News/48 Hours and the Katie Couric daytime talk show .
