On October 27 at the Belo Mansion, the Heroes in Disguise Masquerade Ball held a festive, elegant evening soiree while raising funds for Heroes for Children. The evening included a cocktail reception, casino games, silent and live auctions, a scrumptious dinner and dancing to the Manhattan Party Band.
During the cocktail reception, guests enjoyed an exclusive Louis XIII cognac tasting and plenty of entertainment including acrobats and stilt walkers.
Mandy Lu Ristow and Morgan Hallman, event co-chairs, greeted the guests. Ristow said, “We are delighted you’re here for an evening of candlelight, mystery and to help Heroes for Children.”
Hallman added, “We are in awe of your generosity in support of Heroes for Children, so that no Texas family battling childhood cancer fights alone. Our heroes come from all walks of life and all ages.”
Alison and Michael Weinstein, honorary co-chairs, introduced the two Heroes for Children Teen Board members who were the inaugural Heroes in Disguise Award honorees. The Weinstein’s son, Carter, founded the Teen Board when one of his friends had cancer, and he was looking for a way to make a difference. Alison said, “This new award recognizes everyday people whose actions reveal them to be heroes.”
The honorees:
Lauren Stapleton, a senior at John Paul, II High School in Plano, has been integrally involved with the Teen Board since its inception. She has attended almost every one of HFC programs and has shown a remarkable investment in its mission.
Reid Zlotky, a senior at Greenhill School, has also been a tremendous leader on the Teen Board. He chaired the Hospital Playroom Program, interfacing with hospital personnel, fellow teens and their parents.
Michael Weinstein added, “There’s another Hero in Disguse here tonight, and he doesn’t even know about it yet. Here to tell us more is HFC board member Dr. Stan Goldman.”
Dr. Goldman said, “This hero has done so much for those children fighting cancer and for the families who are supporting them. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Carl Lenarsky who practices pediatric hematology and medical oncology at Medical City Dallas Children’s Hospital.” An inspiration to many including HFC co-founders Larissa Linton and Jenny Lawson, Dr. Lenarsky also treated both their children, Allie and Taylor.
Linton and Lawson thanked Dr. Lenarsky, Dr. Goldman, Reid Zlotky and Lauren Stapleton for being heroes to them. They thanked everyone present for their generosity for remembering Allie and Taylor, and as moms who lost two daughters to childhood cancer, they were able to co-found Heroes for Children to help the many families who didn’t have the support they had when going through a tough time.
After the co-founders spoke, auctioneer Mike Sadler got the audience excited and auctioned off a Hill Country Deer Hunt, a Cajun fishing Adventure, Heroes Family Memories and general support, raising thousands. After the live auction, guests enjoyed dinner, dancing, casino games and camaraderie.
Julie Siegel, Heroes for Children executive director, added, “Families battling cancer need a HERO, especially as they’re dealing with a child who has cancer. We are so grateful for all the Heroes in Disguise honorees, our sponsors and supporters for helping us raise these funds.”
Special thanks to the sponsors:
Program: Whitley Penn
Diamond: Michael & Alison Weinstein
Emerald: JML Distribution
Design: United Healthcare
Illumination: 4Change Energy
Legacy: McKesson
Sapphire: Christy and Trey Brown, Jarred and Morgan Hallman, Hoppess Foundation, U.S. Capital Advisors, Chris and Buddy Ristow, Riveron Consulting, Charles and Julie Siegel, Southlake General Contractors, Texas Oncology/Dr. Stan Goldman and Dr. Ellen Sher, The Insurance Exchange, Dale & Rhonda Weeden.
Heroes in Disguise committee members include Kim Dymond Balogh, Laura Belcher, Tracy Bundy, Bill Cannon, Tiffany Conmy, Angie Corson, Angie Cunningham, Rachell Deleon, Aaron Dooley, Dana Eisenberg, Priscilla Gomez, Stacie Hampton, Thor Hoppess, Ali Kostovski, Silvia Martinez, Tyler Rainwater, Christine Ristow, Jill Russell, Jo Trizila and Jarret Willey.
Heroes for Children advocates for and provides financial and social assistance to families with children battling cancer. Founded by two moms, Larissa Linton and Jenny Scott Dowen, whose daughters passed away from Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Heroes for the Children has provided $5.5 million to nearly 6,000 families in need since 2004.