Milestone events

Fanciful Fort Worth fundraiser brings inspired designs to the table for 30th anniversary

What: Design Inspirations' 30th Anniversary Preview Party & Luncheon

Where: Ridglea Country Club

Photo by Sharon Ellman

2023 event chairs Allie Turney, Katie Howard, Molly Van Amburgh, and Leigh Brown

The 411: For 30 years, volunteers from the Fort Worth Alumnae Associations of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi have teamed up for one of the most unique fundraisers in the city - Design Inspirations. The two-day, mega showcase of beautifully set tablescapes has raised more than $1.4 million since its inception.

The 2023 edition marked Design Inspirations' 30th anniversary and was chaired by Allie Turney and Molly Van Amburgh (Pi Beta Phi), and Leigh Brown and Katie Howard (Kappa Kappa Gamma). Proceeds went to Gill Children’s Services, Inc. and Breakthrough Fort Worth.

The event started the evening of Wednesday, March 1 with champagne toast that included event chairs from the past 30 years, and most significantly, the four founders: Carol Dunaway, Ann Harwood, Kay Howell, and Judy Schell.

A Preview Party followed, where nearly 500 guests sipped on cocktails and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres while previewing 64 elegant tablescapes designed by local designers, florists, and businesses. Tables by longtime designers, including Beckley Design Studio, Central Market, Christy Dunaway Smith, Domain XCIV, Inc., Jessica McIntyre Interiors, Kay Genua Designs, Neiman Marcus Fort Worth, and The Enchanted Florist, sat alongside newer designers and supporters, including Allison Curry Interiors, Emily Gilbert Designs, Mackenzie Page Interiors, Paxton Place Design, and Schumacher.

The next morning, more than 550 guests - dressed in their spring florals best - enjoyed the Design Inspirations Luncheon, featuring a presentation by New York interior designer and author of the new book More Rooms, Katie Ridder. (Of course she went home with her own custom boots from M.L. Leddy's.)

Music and the scent of hundreds of fresh florals filled the room as attendees sipped on Prosecco and strolled through the five rooms decorated with jaw-dropping floral and creative table themes from garden party to Western chic.

Following the presentation, a lunch of tomato and cucumber salad, grilled filet and wedge salad, and a special 30th Anniversary raspberry cream cake was served.

For more information on Design Inspirations and the causes it supports, visit the website.

Who: Attendees included Tanya Runyon, Courtney Mitchell, Duffy Bloemendal, Heather Senter, Leslie Daly, Jessica Dodson, Robyn Hatfield and Laura Rooker, Kristi Newman, Olivia Kearney, Melinda Adams, Lou Martin, Jordan Davidson, Alison Gengelbach, Courtney Holm, Katie Semple, Lizzie Sell, Ro McKee Rynd, Carrie Woodson, Rebecca Hillard, Pepper McLean, Sharon Fulgham, Rhonda Rich, Amber Robertson, and hundreds more.

30th Anniversary Design Inspirations Kappa Kappa Gamma Pi Beta Phi luncheons fundraisers

Hot-to-trot party

Former Fort Worth mayor helps corral big bucks at New Hope Equine gala

Photo by Savanna Romano

Betsy Price, Scott Murray

As the sun set over expansive pastures north of Fort Worth, hundreds of city slickers headed up to the country, to Lucky Spur Ranch Retreat in Justin for the 2024 Hope Gala.

Benefiting New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy, the October 25 fundraising party went all in on the horse theme, offering guests "A Night at the Races."

About 220 attendees arrived donning Derby hats and fascinators, bowties, fedoras, and cowboy boots - it was on a ranch after all, and not Churchill Downs. They mingled and posed with New Hope horses, browsed an impressive array of silent auction items, tossed horseshoes at whiskey bottles, and wet their whistles at an open bar alfresco.

When the dinner bell rang, folks moseyed inside and filled up on a buffet of Southwestern favorites, including beef skirt steak, grilled chicken, street corn, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. Nothing Bundt Cakes provided enough cake bites to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Master of ceremonies, former NBC5 sports anchor Scott Murray, welcomed guests and acknowledged New Hope leadership, including gala event chair Jason Hodson.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Claire Messerle, Betsy Price, Katie MesserlePhoto by Savanna Romano

Moments later came a rousing "Howdy, y'all!" - the familiar greeting from former Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price, who served as the event's honorary chair. She underscored the importance of the organization's mission.

"New Hope isn't just a service, but it opens doors for those who think they don't have the strength, they don't have the courage or the connections to regain their sense of independence," she told the crowd.

Photo by Savanna Romano

Hope Gala honorary chair Betsy Price with emcee Scott Murray.

Since 2012, New Hope has been healing through therapeutic horsemanship for people of all ages with physical, intellectual, or developmental special needs. In 2022, they debuted the Natural Horsemanship program for veterans and first responders grappling with post-traumatic stress.

Funds raised at the gala support the “New Hope” that riders need for a better quality of life.

But the horses benefit, too. The majority of New Hope horses enjoy a second life with the organization; some were even on local kill lists.

"This is Texas, folks! We ride horses in Texas," Price concluded. "And every dollar that you give tonight or that you invest somewhere along the way will be doubled or tripled in the returns to these folks who need the therapy and the ones who work in the barns and help us."

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Guests bid in the live auction.Photo by Savanna Romano

Auctioneer Mike Trent got bidding going fast and furiously in a live auction for one-of-a-kind trips and experiences, including a vacation to Hilton Head (sold for $2,600), a dinner with several Dallas Cowboys legends (sold for $7,000), and a luxury suite concert experience at Dickies Arena (sold for more than $10,000).

In total, the gala raised $95,000 for New Hope programs.

"The annual cost to care for one horse runs about $6,000, so your generosity will help us care for our horses that provide vital therapy to our over 40 participants," organizers said afterwards.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Champagne Yacht Club Band kept the dance floor lively.Photo by Savanna Romano

As some guests wandered outside to enjoy the fresh nighttime air, others got moving and grooving on the dance floor to the sounds of the Champagne Yacht Club Band.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night were New Hope patrons, staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters, including Hamilton Sneed, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Nicole Matwijiw, Jennifer Morris, Pat Fultz, Red Fultz, Devan Peplow, Kathleen Beisly, Emily Rogers-Hicks, Susan Altshuler, Lauren Cobb, Ashley Cox, Mikenley Johnson, Blake Johnson, Kathleen Alexander, Melissa Howard, Claire Messerle, Katie Messerle, Sharla Kershen, Dave Kershen, Jason Hodson, Aaron Sturman, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Neal Bondy, Paul Barstad, Melanie Barstad, Mark Powers, DeAnna Powers, Kim Martin, Darlene Jacobs, Jim Jacobs, Debbie Thayer, and hundreds more.