Big Brothers Big Sisters of Austin Archives

FIRE & ICE

by societytexas | Sep 1, 2024 | Fall/Winter 2024, Austin

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas 19th Annual Ice Ball Sizzles

By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Gyp C Girl Photography

THE SETTING: The JW Marriott in Austin was the setting for the inaugural event which kicks off the city’s social season each year. Over 700 of the city’s top community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas’ 19th Annual Ice Ball. It was an evening so hot it was cool. Great friends and touching tributes resulted in a seven-figure fundraising night for the organization.

THE STYLE: The black tie crowd featured revelers who took the fire and ice theme to heart, donning ensembles in shades of red and blue. The evening began in the ballroom foyer with a cocktail reception where guests posed in front of a giant ice sculpture to commemorate the evening. After grabbing their favorite spirit of choice, guests mingled and enjoyed experiential activations, including hand-sketched portraits courtesy of Vogue Vignette. The action then moved to the ballroom for the main program. KVUE news anchor Quita Culpepper served as emcee while attendees dined on multi-course meals. Emotional testimonials from children, whose lives have been positively impacted due to the support of their big brother and big sister mentors, were also shared with the crowd.

Next came a spirited live auction with a trip to explore James Bond’s secret hideaways in France, Italy, and Switzerland along with a Game of Thrones adventure to Spain and Croatia being among the most sought-after. The night concluded with an after party where revelers hit the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning.

THE PURPOSE: The event, co-chaired by Pamela and Will Hurley, raised over $1.1 million for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. The organization matches children ages six and older with adult mentors who offer support and encouragement to each child. The 20th annual Ice Ball will be held on August 24, 2024. For more information, visit BigMentoring.org/Ice-Ball.

ICE, ICE BABY

by societytexas | Oct 30, 2022 | R.S.V.P. AUSTIN, 2022 November December

Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Central Texas Hosts 18^th Annual Ice Ball

By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Chris Caselli and Gypc Girl Photography

THE SETTING: The JW Marriott in Austin was the recent setting of an event that kicked off the fall social season in grand style. Over 750 of the Capital City’s charitable philanthropists turned out for the 18^th annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas Ice Ball. It was an evening that dazzled its guests and will be well remembered, and spoken fondly of, for a long time.

THE STYLE: The black tie crowd began the evening in the ballroom foyer of the JW Marriott for cocktail hour. As revelers sipped cocktails, they had the opportunity to peruse silent auction items, participate in a game of Buried Treasure, where the winner received a pave diamond circle necklace, and pose for photos in front of the event’s grand signature ice sculpture.

The festivities then moved to the ballroom for the main program. Emcee, KVUE-TV’s Quita Culpepper effortlessly kept the evening moving at a fun, brisk pace. While partygoers dined on a multi-course meal, they were treated to a series of heartwarming testimonials on how Big Brothers Big Sisters has positively impacted the Central Texas community. The evening was capped off by a round of live fundraising, which included a head or tails auction, Fund-A-Friendship paddles up, and the spirited live auction with a host of experiences such as a tour of Sonoma wineries, a skiing adventure in Park City, and an Italian getaway on the Amalfi coast.

THE PURPOSE: The event, chaired by Albert and Sarah Swantner, raised over $930,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. Funds from the event will go toward programs that help create life-changing relationships between adult mentors and at-risk youth between the ages of six and 16, which allows them to reach their full potential.