STAR POWER EMPOWERS KIDS

STAR POWER EMPOWERS KIDS

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

Mack, Jack & McConaughey Raises $16 Million Benefiting Five Children’s-Focused Nonprofit Organizations

By Rob Giardinelli      Photography by Tyler Schmitt of Mill Photography Studio

THE SETTING: For two days, several thousand of Austin’s most notable children’s advocates, sports lovers, music enthusiasts, fashionistas, and philanthropists turned out for the Capital City’s hottest nonprofit event of the year. Those fortunate enough to attend the 12th annual Mack, Jack & McConaughey event experienced two days of fun sport, incredible music, stunning fashions, and an epic fundraising haul that will live forever in the annals of Texas social and philanthropy lore.

THE STYLE: The festivities began with a gala where several hundred guests at the ACL Live at the Moody Theater dressed in their favorite cowboy-chic attire. During the cocktail hour, select guests and VIPs had the opportunity to pose for photos on the step and repeat to commemorate the evening before heading to the terrace outside the orchestra level of ACL Live for a cocktail hour. There guests sipped on their favorite spirits while perusing an impressive lot of silent auction items.

The action then moved inside to the ACL Live at the Moody Theater for the main program. While partygoers dined on their meals, they were treated to words from Mack Brown, Jack Ingram, and Matthew McConaughey and viewed touching tributes that showcased how the organization has effectively served its mission to empower kids. Next came an epic live auction and Fund-A-Need helmed by Heath Hale of Cowboy Auctioneer where one package was purchased for over $4 million. The night was capped off with a concert by Grammy Award®-nominated artist Luke Combs, who brought the crowd to their feet as they sang along to his hit tunes.

The fun continued the next morning with a golf tournament at Barton Creek Country Club and a fashion show presented by Neiman Marcus. Several hundred guests turned out for the fashion show, which featured the latest collection by legendary designer Oscar de La Renta that dazzled. The festivities, produced by Jennifer Stevens of JHL Company, concluded where it all began, at ACL Live at the Moody Theater for a Jack & Friends concert led by Jack Ingram, which featured performances by him and several other musicians that capped off two jam-packed and successful days of fun and fundraising.

THE PURPOSE: Mack, Jack & McConaughey, hosted by Mack and Sally Brown, Jack Ingram, and Matthew and Camila McConaughey, raised an awe-inspiring $16 million for the organization. Proceeds from the event will benefit five nonprofits dedicated to children’s health, education, and wellness, including CureDuchenne, Dell Children’s Medical Center, HeartGift, Just Keep Livin’, and The Rise School Austin

UP, UP & AWAY

UP, UP & AWAY

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

Up-Themed Gala Benefits Dell Children’s Medical Center To Raise Over $3 Million

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Matthew Hooker

THE SETTING: A picture-perfect evening at the Four Seasons in Austin was the setting for an incredible night of fundraising for an incredibly worthy cause. Over 400 of Capital City’s most notable sociables, philanthropists, and community leaders were on hand for the annual Dell Children’s Foundation Gala. This year’s theme, Up, certainly upped the ante for the Austin fundraising scene with a magical night those fortunate enough to be a part of will be talking about for years to come.

THE STYLE: The black tie crowd began the festivities by posing for images to commemorate the evening against a stunning floral backdrop of thousands of flowers courtesy of the city’s celebrity florist, David Kurio. Guests then enjoyed the exterior terrace of the Four Seasons for a cocktail reception. The action then moved to the Four Seasons Ballroom for the main program. Jaws dropped as the color palette of the orange floral backdrop, which guests viewed upon arrival, carried into the gala space, creating a grand, elegant, and sophisticated energy. 

Then, as revelers took their seats and dined on a multi-course meal, they were also treated to a touching musical performance by Velora Hall. Next, came an epic Fund-A-Need helmed by TK Kenney of Astounding Auctions. Paddles kept raising the tally going up, up, up to over $1 million, which was generously matched by an anonymous benefactor, resulting in $2 million raised for the organization from the Fund-A-Need alone. The fun then moved to the on-site restaurant, Ciclo for a cotton candy-inspired after party where guests danced the night away, celebrating another successful night for one of Texas’ most anticipated annual galas.

THE PURPOSE: The event raised over $3 million for the Dell Children’s Foundation. Proceeds from the event allow the hospital to fulfill its mission to never turn away a child due to their inability to pay. With 70% of patients uninsured or underinsured, philanthropic funds are necessary to ensure this practice continues. Since its founding in 1996, the Foundation has raised over $250 million to provide children from any financial background access to world-class healthcare. The 2025 Dell Children’s Ball will be held on February 1, 2025. For more information, visit SupportDellChildrens.org.

BURSTING WITH JOY

BURSTING WITH JOY

by | May 30, 2020 | Summer 2020, Parties, Austin

Dell Children’s Medical Center Announces $30 Million Matching Grant By Michael And Susan Dell

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Ben Porter

THE SETTING: The Fairmont Hotel in Austin was the setting recently for the annual Dell Children’s Medical Center gala. This year’s theme, Share Your Joy, more than lived up to the name. Nearly 1,000 of the Capital City’s most notable philanthropists, sociables, and community influencers joined together for an unforgettable evening of fun, fundraising, and the announcement of a substantial gift by two of Texas’ most influential philanthropists.

 THE STYLE: The black tie attired crowd began the evening as guests posed for pictures against a gorgeously colorful backdrop to commemorate the evening. Once inside, partygoers headed to the V.I.P. lounge for a cocktail reception where patrons sipped spirits and brimmed with anticipation for the festivities ahead. The action then headed to the main ballroom for the evening’s program.

 Guests were treated to a heartwarming video regarding the impact of Dell Children’s Medical Center on the community, as they dined on a delicious multi-course meal. Other highlights included emotional words from families whose children’s lives were saved due to the efforts of the organization, as well as a spirited live auction and fund-a-need. The highlight of the evening was the announcement by Michael and Susan Dell of a matching grant of $30 million for the HERE Campaign for the advancement of pediatric care at Dell Children’s. The guests, now on a joyous high over the Dell’s generosity, kept the festivities going into the wee hours of the next morning at the V.I.P. after party as they danced the night away to the tunes of DJ’s Amy Edwards and Society Texas’ own Lance Avery Morgan.

 THE PURPOSE: The event was led by a committee known as 20 for 20, symbolizing the number of philanthropic couples who have shaped the first decade of Dell Children’s Medical Center. In addition to the $30 million match by Michael and Susan Dell, the event raised a record-breaking $2.1 million for Dell Children’s Medical Center. Proceeds from the event will go towards construction of the new Dell Children’s Specialty Pavilion. The new outpatient facility, scheduled to open in 2021, will expand specialty care for children.

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