Helping Hand Home Hosts Annual Crystal Ball Presentation And Gala

By Rose Betty Williams     Photography by Jetter Photography

THE SETTING: The Helping Hand Society celebrated the 79th annual Crystal Ball with a brunch and fashion show, followed by the black tie Debutante Presentation Gala at the Palmer Events Center that evening. More than 2000 guests attended the event. Thirty-eight debutantes, their escorts, and junior escorts were presented along with 151 ninth grade Helping Hand Girls and Boys and 30 First Grade Princesses.

THE STYLE: Dillard’s and Webber Productions presented the fashion show with the Helping Hand Home forever families modeling the latest fashions. Emcee Jim Spencer introduced the Princesses, HH Girls, and HH Debutantes. Then, HHH Executive Director Ted Keyser and HH Society of Austin President Julie Ballard welcomed and thanked supporters, event sponsors, participants and their families, gala co-chairs Kathi Haralson and Tina McCutchin, their committee, and HH Society member volunteers. The gala featured the debutante presentation, a silent auction, a plated dinner by Catering by Rosemary, dancing to the music of Blind Date, and spectacular floral décor created by Westbank Flower Market.

This year’s Helping Hand Crystal Ball debutantes are: Mia Ann Arriaga, Claire Elizabeth Baxter, Evelyn Caruth Berry, Annabel McKenzie Briggs, Lucile Read Brocato, Emma Beth Wilson Brydson, Olivia Claire Chester, Ava Gail Clark, Morgan Adeline Ehlinger, Ella Grace Hicks, Eleanor Kathryn Hutcheson, Miriam Rose Alexander Kessler, Ava Emelia Kizer, Margaret Louise Lee, Bailey Lynn Liverman, Paige Chenault Liverman, Madison Lizabeth Mansour, Grace Cannon May, Amelia Marie McConnico, Daisy Louise McDowell, Meghan Sloane Meserole, Helena Faith Monsivais, Javrey Ann Morales, Margaret Maxine Newton, Barbara Hunter Nokes, Aidan Elizabeth Perry, Mollie Day Richards, Ramsey Ann Richards, Ashley Ellen Settle, Sophia Gant Stokes, Amelia Catherine Strehli, Abigail Masee Szygenda, Elizabeth McFaddin Taylor, Maria Anne Tobias, Elaine Gracen Trotter, Siena Grace Welsh, Brooke Madison Williams, and Kathryn Elizabeth Yonge.

THE PURPOSE: The 2022 Crystal Ball, co-chaired by Kathi Haralson and Tina McCutchin, along with the gala committee of more than 75 HHS members, is the largest fundraiser for HHH. The evening raised more than $1.4 million in support of its mission to provide a nurturing and therapeutic home for children and to restore each child to a healthy family setting. The goal is to protect and restore the lives of victimized children so that those without hope may reclaim their futures. President Ballard noted that HHH is in the final stages of constructing the newly expanded campus. It will include eight new children’s homes, a conference and learning center, a permanent charter school facility, the capacity to double the foster care and adoption program, and the renovation of the current campus facilities.