Dallas Margarita Ball Nov. 10 -- largest annual invitation only gala in the World celebrates 31 years

Lifestyles
Dallas Margarita Ball Nov. 10 -- largest annual invitation only gala in the World celebrates 31 years
By media release
Nov 5, 2007

DALLAS, TEXAS -- On Saturday, November 10, 2007, the 31st anniversary Dallas Margarita Charity Ball sponsored by the Dallas Margarita Society, Inc. (DMS) d.b.a. Dallas Children's Charities will rock Dallas. This Charity Ball is the largest annual invitation only gala in the World. The Ball will begin at 7 PM and take place at the Adam's Mark Hotel, (400 North Olive St, Dallas). Guests must have an invitation to enter and are requested to donate one toy (valued at $25 or more) or a $25 cash contribution per person.

"For the past 31 years, the Dallas Margarita Society has hosted the Dallas Margarita Ball. It's vital that guests realize that even though this is one of the largest events all season, it is a private event and each guest must be invited by a Dallas Margarita Society director, member, director emeritus or by one of DMS's generous sponsors." commented Tom Ford, president, DMS. "It is an amazing site to see thousands of people, dressed to the nine, toys triple stacked on one another. This year we expect to entertain over 8,500 people. For many, the Ball has become a staple in kicking off the holiday season but each year we see more new faces. We look forward to an even better event, with more toys than ever this year."

For 2007, the exciting additions to the 31st Anniversary Ball will make it the biggest event in DMS' history - incorporating all three floors of the Adam's Mark Convention Center.

Entry to the Ball is up the escalator from valet parking and then across the sky-bridge. The second floor will feature the sounds of The Wonders and Moving Colors in the Main (Lone Star) Ballroom with continuous live music and dancing from 8 PM until 1:30 AM. This is also the level where guests will be amazed to see the mountain of toys accumulate in the toy collection area. The DMS tradition continues, as guests will find the signature Margarita Fountains, featuring long-time corporate sponsor SAUZA Tequila, flowing with sumptuous libation throughout the evening in the Main Ballroom.

The first (ground) floor will feature this year's surprise grand addition and new Sponsor. This year, DMS will highlight the first floor with the Cruzan Rum Jungle Las Vegas style club and a dazzling full casino complete with blackjack, craps, roulette, and a Texas Hold'em Poker contest featuring some of the top 10 poker players from the World Poker Tour and big prizes for the winners. Guests will be entertained by, direct from the Foundation Room at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, the one and only "Presto One" internationally renowned DJ to spin tunes in a way only "Presto One" can spin them.

The second floor also hosts the silent auction. The Dallas Margarita Ball silent auction is one of the largest and most impressive in the United States with items that are truly first-rate and featuring hundreds of items to bid on. Auction items include great trips, hotel stays, jewelry, art, furs, restaurants, sports tickets, collectibles from some of sports' most famous athletes and much, much more. The auction opens at 7 PM and closes at 11:30 PM.

On the third floor, guests will find another entire party level, complete with the famous WinStar Casinos cigar lounge, cash bars along with the sexy smooth jazz tunes of The David Carr Jr. Band.

While the number one reason DMS hosts the Ball every year is to provide guests with more fun than is allowed in most states, guests also know that its "Party With A Purpose" theme extends good times far beyond this spectacular Ball. A VERY close second reason for the Ball is to generate truckloads of toys that are used to delight thousands of underprivileged children in the Dallas/Fort Worth region during the holiday season. Each guest is requested to bring an unwrapped toy valued at $25 or more, knowing that their gifts may be the only presents these kids will receive for Christmas.

The toys are distributed through Love For Kids, Inc., a non-profit organization that directly supports underprivileged children in the DFW region. Love for Kids, Inc. along with members of the Dallas Margarita Society, Inc. will distribute the toys on Saturday, December 8th at the annual Love for Kids Christmas Party. Approximately 3,500 children are brought to the party in buses and vans and the toys are loaded into their vehicles while the kids enjoy the games, hayrides, food, and prizes at their holiday party. At 1 PM, a literal "sea" of kid's race back to the buses to get their toys. The look of anticipation on their faces reveals the fun and spirit of the holiday season in a way that is truly heart-warming. Over 300 volunteers are needed to conduct this party. The remaining toys are given to other charitable organizations that then distribute them to thousands of children.

2007 Margarita Ball sponsors include: Diamond ($25,000 and up) - Sauza Tequila and Oh My Goddard! Gallery; Ruby ($10,000 - $24,999) - Cruzan Rum, Andrews Distributing Co., Winstar Casinos and Adam's Mark Hotel; Emerald ($5,000 - $9,999) - John & Jill Cummings and Barbie Horner; Sapphire ($2,500 - $4,999) - Marc "Gucci" Moreno, John Brandon and Love For Kids, Inc.; Platinum ($1,000 - 2,499) - MDT Consulting, Inc., Wm. Masters & Associates, Freeman Decorating Co., Debbie Dix/National Physicians Services, Michael Murray & Kent Montee, Carla Martin-Hastings and Steve Crane & Friends; Gold ($500 - $999) - David Maddox, Ali Terry, Steve & Cheryl Samberg, Chris Lanier, Paul Puryear, Mitchell Hess, Becky Boulom/Identec Solutions and T. Gray Electric Co.

To volunteer or for more information on the Margarita Ball contact Tom Hall at 214-695-3483 or log onto www.dallasmargaritasociety.org. For press/media opportunities contact Jo Trizila, 214-232-0078 or jotrizila@aol.com.

The Dallas Margarita Society, Inc., (d.b.a. Dallas Children's Charities) was formed in 1977 when a small group of business acquaintances decided to host a holiday party for associates and friends, and asked their guests to bring Christmas gifts for less fortunate children. The Society is a non-profit charitable organization whose goals are twofold. The first is to provide disadvantaged Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex children with gifts at Christmas time and the second is to help those community organizations that work directly with underprivileged children throughout the year. Their Charity Ball has grown over the years and is now believed to be the largest annual invitation only charity black tie gala in the world, with over 10,000 guests, providing gifts for more than 6,800 disadvantaged children each year.

The Dallas Margarita Society achieves its goals by hosting fundraising happy hours throughout the year, an annual golf tournament in early summer and the Charity Ball early in the holiday season. At the Ball, guests are encouraged to bring toys or sponsor gifts with cash. Additionally, sponsors are solicited and through their generosity the Society provides operating support and scholarships to numerous community organizations. In 2005, The Dallas Margarita Society/Dallas Children's Charities collected over $405,000 in toys and cash in conjunction with over $175,000 in corporate and individual sponsorship donations. All fund-raising activities and events are donated to local DFW children's charities.

Over the past 30 years, the community impact generated by the activities and fund raising events of the DMS/DCC continues to prove every year that harnessing the charitable spirit of a few friends can be directed to reach out and truly "lift up" thousands of kids in need.