PRESS RELEASE
February 6, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: 14th Annual Bishop’s Gala with Martin Short Breaks Records as Second-Most Successful Event in Gala History Forecasting Almost $400,000 Raised
With staff almost ready to close the books on this year’s Gala 2012, Catholic Charities of Dallas reports another record-breaking event and announces plans for the next premier event in 2013!
DALLAS – Another Premier event of the year has come and gone, but the excitement from the evening has yet to settle down! The 14th Annual Bishop’s Gala for Catholic Charities of Dallas has already been reported to have produced a forecasted amount of almost $400,000, making it the second-most successful year in the Gala’s 14 year-history. The news has brought energy once again to the entire staff of Catholic Charities of Dallas, leaving all with nothing but smiles when hearing the incredible news.
“The evening raised an incredible amount of funds for our programs, which serves more than 70,000 individuals in need each year,” explained Rosemary Tarangioli, Assistant Director of Development & Communications. “More importantly, we are so thankful to all the dedicated supporters who came through once again giving so generously to those in need despite a tough economy.”
This year’s Gala made history once again with record-breaking funds raised through the first-ever “Meet the Need” campaign, which raised 3 times the anticipated amount, a record-breaking amount of PR and media attention creating the most buzz about the Bishop’s Gala in event history, as well as record-breaking in-kind donations given to this year’s event from various individuals and businesses throughout Dallas – showing that support from the community is stronger than ever!
“The Bishop’s Gala has become one of the major events in Dallas no one wants to miss out on, ” said Morgan Wright, Marketing Communications Manager. “We no longer see just the supporting Catholic community in attendance at this annual fundraiser. Individuals from all over Dallas are attending this event to be a part of what is now labeled as the “Premier Event of the Year” guaranteed to provide all guests with an evening filled with fun, friends, laughter – all while raising money for a great cause.”
Attendance surpassed 1,000 guests once again, and Martin Short’s entertainment was a 5-star performance leaving guests laughing with a handful of priceless impressions of
various characters he has played through his career. The live auction was well received by the highly energized crowd and a few notable items were chosen to be the most popular which included the Rosary Blessed by Pope John Paul II, which sold twice for $5,500 each, as well as the Napa Valley Wine Country Experience Trip, which sold twice for $10,000 each. The Napa Valley trip representative in attendance that evening was so
impressed with the generous crowd that they are now offering a special
THIRD Napa Valley Wine Country Trip to anyone interested
at the matching donation of $10,000! This unique trip would include:
- 3 night stay at the unbelievable Calistoga Ranch for 4
- Customized wine tour with your own private wine guide from Napa
- See behind the scenes at exclusive wineries and visit one-on-one with winemakers
- Enjoy private dinners/lunches with winemakers
- Includes Napa private car for one day with driver
You will have an experience that none else will be able to experience with incredible first-hand visits and meals with winemakers!!! AND SO MUCH MORE! INTERESTED IN THIS LIVE AUCTION ITEM!? CONTACT ROSEMARY TARANGIOLI AT (214)520-6590 ext. 126 TODAY!
You may also visit our website at www.CCofDallas.org/Live for full information or simply call (214)520-6590 ext. 126 today!
Some noteworthy big board auction items creating quite a bidding war between guests included the Authentic Notre Dame Game Day Football Helmet Autographed by Lou Holtz as well as the Dee Lincoln’s Tasting Room & Bubble Bar “Wine Me! Dine Me!” package for 6 to enjoy a four course meal prepared by Executive Chef Juliard Ishizuka with exclusive wine pairings. If you didn’t win something in this year’s big board auction, your chances aren’t over yet! College Football Collectors Game Day Helmets Autographed by the legendary LOU HOLTZ are now listed LIVE on E-Bay! Colleges include University of Minnesota, North Carolina State University and University of South Carolina! Hurry, these listings are only live for 5 more days – so good luck bidding (and, remember – 100% of funds raised directly go to our community programs!). CLICK HERE TO VIEW THESE LIVE LISTINGS ON E-BAY! Also, a big congratulations to this year’s winner of the World-Class Trip to Ireland for Four Gala raffle prize – Ms. Charlotte Putnam!
Those of you who are sad to see the Gala excitement come to and end, don’t hang your heads low just yet! The planning stages have already begun to start the party once again next January 2013! Plans are already in motion for the 15th Annual Bishop’s Gala 2013 guaranteedto deliver guests with another evening of incredible comedy from a well-known celebrity (more information to come very soon!). So, go ahead and mark your calendars to leave some room for late January 2013
to be sure you don’t miss out on the 2013 Premier event in Dallas! Tickets will be available for purchase SOON online at www.CCofDallas.org/Gala.
Meanwhile, if you are looking to get involved with Catholic Charities of Dallas, there are more upcoming events you can attend NOW! Don’t miss our upcoming 11th Annual Angels Spring Luncheon 2012 taking place on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Join us as we celebrate eleven years of the Angels of Charity women’s auxiliary, honor this year’s Angel of the Year 2012, Joanie Stephens, and discuss women in leadership roles through this year’s featured discussion, “Women in Leadership Roles Serving the Church” highlighting leaders of the Diocese of Dallas including Mary Edlund, J.C.L., Chancellor, Annette Gonzales Taylor, Communications Director, Sr. Gloria Cain, SSND, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Sr. Theresa Khirallah, SSND, Director of Ministries, and Barbara Landegran, Director of Safe Environment. Last year’s luncheon was record-breaking with a sold out crowd of more than 500 women, which raised much needed funds for the programs of Catholic Charities of Dallas. To view more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.CCofDallas.org.
A big thank you again to the incredible Underwriters & Sponsors of this year’s 14th Annual Bishop’s Gala. To view these generous corporations, businesses and individuals, please visit our listing on our website at
www.CCofDallas.org/GalaUnderwriting. Those of you in attendance, thank
you for supporting Catholic Charities of Dallas’ mission of providing help…creating hope, regardless of faith to those in need in our community. Photos from the event can be viewed on our CCD Facebook page, and you can order your own copies at
www.johnchristopherphoto.com/2012gala today!
1. Video camera system monitor installed displaying classroom cameras. Notice the detail and picture quality! This brings peace of mind and easy ability to provide a safe environment for our kids.
2. The front door was given an intercom system for easier access and communication to the staff for parents and visitors.
3. A New Classroom Door Remodel: The door used to be full door, it is now 2 parts. Parents hand over children to a teacher at the door rather than entering the classroom. This allows us to keep the floors clean and better manage routine in the classroom without disruption.
4. There was a 4 foot wall in the middle of the room with 9 children and 2 teachers on each side. The space was crowded and felt closed in. We removed the wall, opening the room. This allowed for us to serve 15 children with 3 teachers. The space is a better fit for the age group (12 – 24 months) and the concept better matches NAEYC and NAC early childhood guidelines.
5. New changing tables were installed for the children. This allows the children to walk up to the changing table.
6. New cribs were purchased to comply with new State guidelines that mandated all drop-side cribs be removed from child care centers. The new cribs have a small drop-gate feature that allows the teacher to open the crib when placing a child down to sleep
