BGCCC celebrates gala sponsors at exclusive Neiman's pre-party event

October 19 - Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County (BGCCC) partnered with Neiman Marcus Willow Bend on Tuesday, October 9, to celebrate the many generous sponsors and underwriters beginning at the $5,000 level for the non-profit's 2007 Chrysalis Ball: A Celebration of Heroes. The annual, premier black-tie event will be held on November 3 at the Embassy Suites hotel in Frisco.

The evening included cocktails, refreshments and plenty of mingling among distinguished guests all aiming to serve the children of Collin County who need them most.

"It is such a pleasure to have you all here tonight to help celebrate your generosity, and the generosity of others in the community, by helping make the 2007 Chrysalis Ball better than ever this year," Christina Alford, BGCCC chief executive officer, said as she formally welcomed party guests.

Alford continued by saying, "We currently have over 400 children on a waiting list for our Frisco branches and 150 children on a waiting list for our Plano branches. Through the assistance of our corporate and private sponsors and underwriters for the 2007 Chrysalis Ball, our goal of raising $500,000 in net proceeds will help get these children off these lists and into our clubs."

Along with hosting the premier party, Neiman Marcus Willow Bend debuted their contribution to the event's live auction: breakfast for 20 with designer Stephen Lagos on Saturday, November 9, as well as a suite of jewelry from the designer's new collection.

2007 Chrysalis Ball underwriters include Dallas - Fort Worth Lexus Dealers as title underwriter; John B. Lowery (live and silent auction underwriter providing up to $150,000 match); Solare Spa and Café (VIP reception underwriter); EDS (marketing underwriter); The Seitz Group (casino underwriter); T-Mobile (technology underwriter); Bank of America (printing underwriter) American Bank of Texas (table gifts for 750 guests underwriter); and Independent Bank (valet parking underwriter).

The featured "Crescent Butterfly" sponsorship -provided by JC Penney After School Fund- will help kick off the BGCCC Sponsor a Child campaign through a special gift of $50,000. This campaign is administered throughout the evening giving guest opportunities to sponsor BGCCC children for a full year of services.

"It costs $350 to sponsor one child at the BGCCC per year," Alford said. "Through the JC Penny After School Fund sponsorship, as well as other sponsorships donated by gala guests that evening, we will be able to grant scholarships to many children whose parents otherwise would not be able to afford our services."

Other sponsors include Marilyn Hoffman, Modern Luxury Dallas and Neiman Marcus at the Diamond "Chrysalis" level; Blockbuster, Darling Homes, Liquid Capital of North Texas, Richard and Cathy Riccardi, Valliance Bank, and Eric and Katina Zepp at the Platinum "Monarch Butterfly" level; Ballfields at Craig Ranch, Brinker International, Capital One, Cornerstone Development, Fujitsu Network Communications, Cindy Greenberg, Inside Collin County Business, Sidney Lenz, Doug & Linda Manner, Metro PCS, Michael & Cheryl Massey, John Miller, Petroven, Inc., Pizza Hut, Seven Products, LP, Southern Vanity Magazine, and Staubach Corporation all at the Gold "Gossamer Wing Butterfly" level.

The 2007 Chrysalis Ball: A Celebration of Heroes will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a special VIP red carpet reception welcoming celebrity guests such as Drew Pearson, Newy Scruggs, Tony Casillas, Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., M.D.H. and many more high-profile members of the Collin County community. Welcoming these guests at the VIP Reception will be kids from all five BGCCC branches acting as paparazzi snapping up fun photos on the red carpet. The grand evening will conclude with a concert provided by The Pointer Sisters. Seven tables remain available for purchase. For more information, visit www.bgccc.org or call Christina Alford at 214-544-8924.