CHILD’S PLAY

CHILD’S PLAY

by | Aug 31, 2020 | 2020 September October, Austin

Center For Child Protection’s PlayBingo Raises Funds

By Rob Giardinelli         Photography by Christina Murphy and Haley Plotkin

THE SETTING: Pre-COVID-19, Austin’s JW Marriott Hotel was the setting for one of Austin’s most anticipated annual events. Over 1,200 of the Capital City’s most influential female voices gathered at the PlayBingo ladies luncheon for an unforgettable afternoon of fun and fundraising…with a few dazzling prizes thrown in for good measure.

THE STYLE: The welcoming spirit of the event was felt the second guests stepped off of the escalators and into the ballroom foyer, where one could find the crowd delightfully swept up in the spirit of the occasion. While perusing over 140 silent auctions, one could spot quite a few cohesive looks, which was done by design. Most of the tables of 10 dressed thematically in complementary ensembles of white, black, and pastel colors, with several sporting feathers, which gave the event an added punch of fun. The festivities continued in the grand ballroom of the JW Marriott for the main event–bingo. As the games were played, several winners claimed their prizes, capping off the afternoon with a final award, which was a raffle ticket for a car courtesy of Mercedes Benz of Austin.

THE PURPOSE: PlayBingo, put on by the Friends of Christopher Guild, raised over $885,000 for the Center for Child Protection, which is a nationally accredited children’s advocacy center offering services such as forensic interviews, counseling, and medical exams to children who have witnessed violent crimes or are suspected victims of physical or sexual abuse. For the first time ever, the PlayBingo Ladies Luncheon is going virtual. Join them on October 24 for a fabulous afternoon benefiting the Center for Child Protection. Individual and House Party tickets start at $150 and are available, until sold out, through October 1. For more information, visit CenterforChildProtection.org/events.

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DANCING DAZZLE

DANCING DAZZLE

by | Feb 28, 2020 | 2020 March April, Dallas

13th Annual Center for Child Protection’s Dancing with the Stars Gala Sizzles

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Jeff Loftin, Christina Murphy, Haley Plotkin and Ben Porter

THE SETTING: Against the backdrop of a picture-perfect winter evening, over a thousand of the most notable sociables and philanthropists descended on Austin’s JW Mariott Hotel for the 13th annual Dancing with the Stars. Hosted by the Center for Child Protection, the event is one of the can’t-miss social events of the season. This year’s gathering was no exception, featuring an evening full of fun and show-stopping dance routines, and a special appearance by JR Martinez, a winner of the ABC’s televised version of Dancing with the Stars.

 

THE STYLE: Friends and supporters of the 11 celebrity dancers donned their finest black-tie ensembles, with women choosing an eclectic mix of chic ballgowns with metallics, solid colors, and especially sequins being the most popular. Not to be outshined, the men also brought their finest eveningwear, with many sporting velvet tuxedo jackets, that helped create a festive environment.  

 

The evening began in the foyer of the ballroom for a breezy cocktail hour, where guests got to mingle and congratulate the celebrity dancers they were on hand to support. The action then moved to the main ballroom for the evening’s program. The event emcees, Glenn Ball and Holly Mills Gardner, effortlessly kept the audience engaged throughout the event with a mix of humor and witty banter. Following a moving video, highlighting the purpose of the Center for Child Protection, the live auction had bidders seize the opportunity to purchase an impressive array of items including luxury vacation packages to such exotic locales as Africa, Croatia and Thailand.

 

Then came the main event, the performances by the dancers themselves. One by one, each of the dancers strutted their stuff on the dance floor to iconic songs including Crazy in Love, Gonna Make U Sweat and I Will Survive that kept the audience on their feet throughout. After the dancing competition concluded, the audience vote was tallied with Brian Yacktman and his pro partner, Katrina Repka, were declared the winners. The evening was capped off with an after-party where partygoers danced into the wee hours of the morning to the tunes of DJ Johnny Bravo.

 

THE PURPOSE: The event, co-chaired by Francie Little and Jenny Mason, raised over $1.1 million for the Center for Child Protection. A nationally accredited children’s advocacy center that offers services ,including forensic interviews, counseling, and medical exams to children who are suspected victims of physical or sexual abuse as well as those who have witnessed violent crime.

 

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THE AMAZING DANCING DOZEN

THE AMAZING DANCING DOZEN

by | Mar 1, 2019 | 2019 March April, Parties, Austin

The Center for Child Protection’s Annual Dancing with the Stars Features 12 Austin Celebrity Dancers

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Estrella Chacon, Jeff Loftin Photography, Christina Murphy and Haley Plotkin Photography

THE SCENE: Recently, the Center for Child Protection hosted its 12th annual Dancing with the Stars event presented by Lexus of Austin and Lakeway. This annual winter social mainstay, held at the JW Marriott, featured 850 notable and stylish Austinites for an evening of fun those on hand will not soon forget.

THE VIBE: This black-tie extravaganza began in the ballroom foyer of the JW Marriott for cocktails where Austin’s hip and chic mingled with other partygoers as well as the celebrity dancers. The festivities then moved to the ballroom where guests took to their seats and as they dined on a multi-course meal listened to personal video testimonials of how the Center for Child Protection has positively impacted the Austin community. Next was a spirited live auction where guests bid on a host of luxury items.

After the live auction, came the main event, the performances by the 12 celebrity dancers. Cheering on their favorites, the revelers were often brought to their feet by the show-stopping performances. Guests then voted for their favorite dancers before Kendall Beard McMinn was crowned the winner. Then, the action continued well into the night as guests danced the night away to the tunes of DJ Gatsby.

THE CAUSE: The event, chaired by Francie Little and Jenny Mason, raised $1.4 million for the Center for Child Protection. Over the past 25 years the Center for Child Protection has served as a first stop for children in Travis County who have witnessed violent crimes or have experienced physical or sexual abuse.

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