To thank and recognize the numerous sponsors and supporters of this amazing group, SCCS CEO Cathy Packard (pictured) had oodles of news.

• Yes, there was soon to be a name change.
• Yes, major patron and underwriting sales for the March 8 benefit at the Winspear with the Pointer Sisters were ahead of schedule.
• Yes, there were still individual tickets available.
• Yes, Ebby Halliday was still honorary chair and Elizabeth and Eric Gambrell were doing the heavy lifting.
• Yes, Walgreens was making a clean sweep of the honors this year with Walgreen Senior VP Randy Lewis receiving the Milton P. Levy Jr. Award and Walgreens picking up the Alliance Data Corporate Champion Award.

Hmm, does it seem that Walgreens is a dominant name in all of this? You darn right! Not only did Randy (pictured) and his marvelously never-met-a-stranger-wife Kay fly in from Chicago for the evening, he told an amazing story about their personal involvement with people who have what some call a “disability.” Hopefully, Randy will tell the story at the gala when he receives his award.

As Cathy put it, “Randy is an example of one man making a difference for many by implementing Walgreens’ corporate-wide initiative to hire 100 people with developmental disabilities at their distribution centers.

And then there’s Walgreens. Thanks to Randy, the Scotts, and the Walgreens’ mindset, the company is planting seeds at its Waxahachie operation to hire 3,000 people of disabilities by 2015.

It started in the South Carolina operation when the company decided to try utilizing one out of three employees with a severe disorder. Today they’re now at 40% of the SC facility. Randy was most proud of the fact that within the facility is a large sign with “Them” marked through it with a line.

“It gives people an opportunity, but it has changed us,” he said. “Once it works in Dallas-Fort Worth, we’re going to go across the country.”

The program has been such a success that even companies like Target, Sears, and Walmart are seeking input from Walgreens on how to put such a program into place.

Did anyone have any question why Cathy had a big, old smile on her face?

Now, of course, you want to know about the Cook’s house. The 1999-built house still has all the earmarks of a modern home of tomorrow. With windows that magically become opaque instead of having curtains, the glass elevator and stairway scream clean and lean. Of course, there’s just the right amount of talk-to-me art (pictured) including a majestic horse peering down from the second floor.

But  the word upon entering the house is “downstairs. You’ve got to see it.” Venturing down to the lowest level of the house is a museum of dolls. . . about 350 of ‘em give or take a dozen. No, not high-tech figurines nor Barbies nor Madame Alexander dolls. No, these are dolls of all shapes, sizes, and colors, that have gingerly been nursed back to restoration under the oh-so-caring supervision of Gail in her adjacent workshop.

When asked her favorite, Gail without hesitation responds, “The one I’m working on at the moment.”

On the other hand, living dolls at the party were Jay Fox just back from NYC and “glad not to be there now” with Lindsey Wofford (pictured with Jay), who had just returned from Oklahoma on family business. Escorted by Randall Graham and Cody Baker, honorary chair Ebby Halliday (pictured left with Gail and Dan Cook) was holding court in the back of the living room with host Dan, and Bobbie Sue and Phil Williams. . .  Karen Wald was encouraging folks to tour the house. . .  Elizabeth Gambrell somehow managed to stay cool, calm, and collected talking to the crowd about the March 8 plans, while knowing that she was due at the Junior League patron party across town. . . Chris “Mr. Blue Eyes” Packard was right at home as Mr. Husband for Cathy. His day job has him masterminding the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Dallas. For a moment, his mind drifted to parking strategy for this year’s run in October.

Now try to match which group was which – The Bishop’s Gala for Catholic Charities, the Terpsichorean Club, January Total Home & Gift Market. If you’ve been around the Dallas social circle more than once, it was a snap matching the groups. Now guess which one had the most fun — The Bishop’s Gala.

Whether it was the theme, the familiar friends getting together, or just Bishop Kevin Farrell‘s Irish ability to make for a good time, 600 partied the night away. Or, perhaps it was because the party ‘s honorary chairs were the David G. and Mary Fox family.

Before we get caught up in the all the fun stuff of the night, Bishop Farrell gently suggested that guests make a donation to the Haitian victims, noting that hundreds of Catholic missionaries and volunteers were lost or missing in the aftermath.

The theme, “Boots & Dazzle Big D Style,” opened the door for the gents to mix and match their finest with their most comfortable, and they did just that. Poster boy of the tuxedo/blue jean set  was former Southwest “legend” (no pun intended) Herb Kelleher.

“He’s a magnet. People are just drawn to him. I’m just his nanny,” said Colleen Barrett (pictured with Herbie), who isn’t too shabby herself when it comes to attracting folks. Gala goers lined up just to chat with the twosome.

Herb must have tucked his big-boy wallet into his jeans, because during the live auction he snatched up four tickets to the Final Four for a smooth $9,000. Shoot, it goes to Catholic Charities, so what the heck.

Not to be outdone was John Sergiovanni in his jeans and tuxedo. While wife Sheila (pictured with John) smiled on, John admitted that he had come prepared. “I wasn’t going to be the only one (in jeans),” he said, so he brought along his tuxedo trousers just in case.

But it wasn’t all dress up/dress down. Sr. Mary Anne Owens (pictured), who has herded the Catholic Charities for years, admitted that years ago “my ladies” took me aside and said, “Sister, we need to dress you up a bit.” So, they took her shopping.

“Trust me. You couldn’t tell which year it was from my pictures. I wear the same jacket each year,” she said with a sisterly chuckle as she worked the room like a polished politician.

And speaking of politicians, Bishop Farrell (pictured) was holding his own in the baby holding and handshaking department. Mothers wanted their babies photographed with him. MC Don Small advised the assembled group, “The Bishop is still holding court up front. As soon as he sits down, we can get started.”  The admonishment wasn’t directed at Bishop Farrell as much as the lineup of folks wanting to chat with him. Finally, he was able to take his seat at Denise and Denis Simons’ table. Denise’s cute bob (pictured with Denis, left, and Gregg Engles) was cut by Kristen at Toni & Guy’s at NorthPark. Don’t know where Denise got the tattoo (pictured) between her shoulders; doubt if  Kristen did it.

But then things got started, and the first big hoop and holler went up when it was announced that Charley Pride (pictured) and his bride Rozene (they were hitched in 1956) were in the house as guests of honor. They had quietly entered the ballroom and taken their seats earlier in the evening unbeknownst to the other guests.

During the rest of the evening, people were table hopping like bunnies on Easter Sunday. Fr. Tim Gollob (pictured), who is the Jimmy Stewart of the Catholic Diocese with tireless energy and dedication, told one table that his four big cats were well and healthy and could beat up any dog.  . . . The Catholic Foundation’s Ed Schaffler was a little overwhelmed by the fact that the Foundation’s annual dinner is going to have 1,400 in attendance on February 5. (The Catholic Foundation Award is going to Jesuit head Fr. Phil Postell.) On the other hand, wife Jane was thrilled that she’s due to become a grandmother again. . . . Paul Stanzel was talking cowboy history with Chris Strempek. No, not horse riding cowboys, but rather Dallas Cowboys. The question that stumped them wasn’t previous game statistics. Nope, they couldn’t place Alicia Landry‘s age. Oh, please. She’s ageless, guys.

Suggestions for next year:

1. Audio does not need to be ramped up. One-on-one conversations  at times looked from a distance like shouting matches.
2. Instead of white napkins, consider black napkins. Not only would they match the black table overlays, they are easier on trousers.
3. Centerpieces don’t need to tower over the tables. They created a forest making seeing the stage and the videos a bit of a challenge.
4. Keep the menu. Everybody seemed to clean their plate. Some looked at empty seats for an extra dessert (Valrhona chocolate and almond tart creme anglaise and carmel sauce).
5. Consider adding a table chart at the ballroom entrance. Without one,  one was forced to ask the check-in diva where the assigned table was. She didn’t know, but cracked that walking  around to find it would “be good exercise.”
6. Keep up the formal/casual attire theme. This group loved it.

Okay, now that we’ve gotten the niceties out of the way, let’s talk party.

If you had planned to dine at Patrizio in Highland Park Village Tuesday night, you were disappointed. Bill took over the whole place and white carpeted and tented a walkway leading from his jewelry box of a boutique to Patrizio. While some shoppers wondered what the heck was going, veteran Parkies matter-of-factly smiled, “Oh, it’s Bill’s Christmas party!”

The Noble boutique was so packed that there was hardly room for a pair of diamond earrings to wedge through. That said, someone has to explain how they got that red-hot-red mini-grand piano bar into the back of the boutique. Only thing missing was Michelle Pfeiffer.

Over at Patrizio, it wasn’t quite as crowded the first hour, but that was another story come hour #2. (Perhaps that’s why Patrizio-guy Ed Bailey was smiling.) The usual tables and chairs had been removed to make room for a sleigh that carried Santa and five of his elvettes wearing more jewelry that a Donald Trump ex.

By 8:30, you could barely see Santa from the crowd that filled the room. With a band playing on the patio, the smell of garlic from those yummy crab claws, and the wine, champagne, and Bellinis flowing, it’s no wonder the party turned into a holiday gathering of the happy and beautiful gems of noble society.

Jan Pickens (pictured) hardly made it through the door when she was greeted like a rock star. Understand that the good folks at the Salvation Army have Jan high on the very-good-little-girl list this year . . Jeanne Marie Clossey had to eat and run to make curtain time for the first showing of South Pacific at the Winspear. . . . Terry Van Willson was wondering what the younger generation was coming to. Seems that his goddaughter had been offered a role in All My Children and turned it down because of a BF. Oh, girls and boys!. . . . Derrill Osborn (pictured) was the eye-catcher of the night. Chuckling that they needed one homeless-looking person to balance out the posh crowd, Derrill looked like a natty elf of old in his PJ’s. His beard and candy cane in the handkerchief pocket  (pictured) alone were worth the price of admission. Wait, there was no price for admission!. . . Denise Wolford popped in wearing a smashing black and white outfit highlighted with jewelry that would make Mr. Noble’s year. . .  Lezlie Noble (pictured) was blonder than ever greeting everyone as they walked into Patrizio. It’s so nice to see blondes again. So many went brunette this past year. . . . Noble elvette Laura McClung (pictured) poked some fun at the Santa in his sleigh, claiming that she had spotted him at another retail center the week before. Hey, Laura, he was probably comparison shopping and look where he wound up. Surrounded by Noble gems!

Photo provided by Sunwest Communications

In 1957 before there was a Texas Stadium or a D/FW International Airport, a group of folks in Irving organized Irving Cares to help with the social welfare of the needy in the Irving community. The good news is that Irving grew; the not-so-good news is that the demand for Irving Cares also grew.  Why during the past year more than 25,000 people or 12% of the population of Irving required assistance for food, housing, transportation, counseling, and jobs from Irving Cares. Remarkably, Irving Cares has not only provided for these needs but has exceeded “industry standards with 80 cents of each dollar going back into the community as a program related expense.”

These accomplishments have impressed many including Rex Tillerson. Oh,  please, don’t ask who he is! You really don’t know. Think ExxonMobil. No, he’s not the fellow who runs the gas station down the street. Rex is chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Corporation. You know, that local group that just announced plans to buy Fort Worth-based XTO Energy today.

Back to Rex and Irving Cares. It seems that each year ExxonMobil presents the Chairman’s Gift to a nonprofit organization. Guess which group received the $50,000 grant this year? Yup, Irving Cares!

Last week Rex not only presented the check to Irving Cares executive director Teddie Story (pictured with Rex), he toured the facility and was welcomed like Santa.

Thursday night’s “A Night of Light” thrown by the Center for Nonprofit Management proved nonprofit types

• can hold their own when packing a ballroom with stellar types.
• celebrate accomplishments like touchdowns at Cowboys Stadiums.
• really like each other.

This event was definitely not a proper sit back, applaud politely at the appropriate time, and grind your teeth that there are 40 awards to hand out. Nope. Think Golden Globes fun as opposed to the Academy Awards.

Yes, the reception went on and on for good reason. Nobody wanted to sit down. It’s been a very rough year for the nonprofits — greater-than-ever demands and lesser-than-memory-can-recall income. But Thursday was a night for catching up with each other. Table sign of the best- and least-known nonprofits in the area indicated the makeup of the crowd — Autism Treatment Center, CASA of Collin County, Community Partners of Dallas, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Dallas Concilio of Hispanic Service Organizations, ECOM Foundation for the Development of Origin Resources, Essilor Vision Foundation, Jubilee Park & Community Center, Junior League of Dallas, PediPlace, Presbyterian Communities and Services, Snowball Express, Uplift Education, and Vickery Meadow Learning Center.

Finally the guests settled down for an evening that opened with a performance by the Dallas Black  Dance Theater fresh from a performance Sunday night at the Dallas Holocaust Museum gala. Hmm, looks like DBDT has become the hot act for galas this season, and with good reason.

Then it was a short couple of speeches by Dallas Morning News ever-charming Steve Blow (pictured) and Event Chair George Baldwin and a video. Unlike other organizations, the CNM knows what their audience wants — who won what! Here you go:

 Excellence in Mission Achievement (Operating budgets $1,000,000 and over)
Winner — Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
Runnesr up — Dallas Concilio of Hispanic Service Organizations and PediPlace

• Excellence in Mission Achievement (Operating budgets under $1,000,000)
  Winner — Essilor Vision Foundation
  Runners up — Jubilee Park & Community Center Corp. and Vickery Meadow Learning Center
• Excellence in Communications in honor of Robert Miller
  Winner — Promise House
  Runners up — Texas Ballet Theater and Visiting Nurse Association of Texas
• Excellence in Environmental Practices
  Winner — Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
  Runners up — ECOM Foundation and For the Love of the Lake
• Innovation in Nonprofit Leadership
  Winner — Rosemary Perlmeter (Uplift Education)
  Runners up — Florence Velasco Fortner (Dallas Concilio of Hispanic Service Organizations) and Paige McDaniel (Community Partners of Dallas)
•  Excellence in Board Leadership
  Winner — Elizabeth T. Heyne (Low Birth Weight Development Center)
  Runners up — Diane Chester ( CASA of Collin County) and Jacques Stoerr(Essilor Vision Foundation)

All the hooping and hollering wasn’t saved for the “winners.” Nope, the announcement of each nominee was greeted with pockets of cheerleaders throughout the room. If there had been a meter monitoring the loudest group, it would have been the Paige McDaniel team. Lynn McBee and Juliette Coulter admitted that they were a little boisterous for their pal. When asked if they were disappointed that Paige didn’t win, the response was, “Rosemary Perlmeter of Uplift Education truly deserves the award. Paige will have her turn, and the fact she was nominated with two amazing leaders is a compliment. We did have a great time hooting and hollering in the back!”

Just “good sports”? No. That was the general feeling of all the runners up.

Spotted during the evening: Essilor Board Member Patrick Esquerre was introducing Essilor Founder Jacques Stoerr to the locals. There’s just something about French men who wear glasses. . . Dallas Morning News business columnist Robert “Bob” Miller explained that wife Shirley was home with a set of bad knees. . .  Alissa Christopher wondered if handwriting was becoming a lost art and if schools will start teaching texting. Don’t even get her started on grammar! . . . Karen Pardoe updated friends on the status of Neiman alums. Since her retirement from NM, she and husband Bill have really gotten involved in volunteer work including a trip to Honduras.  

Another winning group is the sponsors of the event that include:

Presenting sponsor: Citi

Award sponsors: Oncor, Target, Bank of America, The Dallas Morning News, Communities Foundation of Texas, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers

Galaxy sponsors: American Airlines, Ashlee and Chris Leinert, and WRR 101.1

Aurora Borealis sponsors: Friends of George Baldwin, Gwen and Leldon Echols, and Medical Clinic of North Texas

One suggestion to organizers: Learn from other awards ceremonies. Try not to say “The winner is. . .” Instead consider saying, “The award goes to . . . ” After all, in this group, they’re all winners even the ones who didn’t make the finals.