Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1512213
Is Abuzz All Year Long PAPERCITY PROMOTION T he actual ball part of The Crystal Charity Ball is a bit like December 25. It's magical to wake up on Christmas morning and discover beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree, as if they've simply appeared. While Christmas morning may be the capstone of the most wonderful time of year, any mom, dad, or elf knows that the "magic" of the day required 364 days of steadfast work behind the scenes, in order to get there. Similarly, The Crystal Charity Ball is the grand culmination of an entire year of quiet work by the 100 women who comprise the ardent committee. Christy Berry, one of the 100 women who serve on the prestigious committee, offers a glimpse behind-the-scenes of how the magic of The Crystal Charity Ball happens. The mission of The Crystal Charity Ball is to offer hope to underserved children in Dallas by funding programs focused on health, education, social services, and the arts. In 2023, the members of The Crystal Charity Ball committed to raise $6,686,131 for seven laudable and deserving local organizations to give children hope for a healthier, more productive future. The Crystal Charity Ball chooses its annual beneficiaries through a carefully researched selection process. To qualify, prospective beneficiaries must serve children in Dallas County and be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has provided services to Dallas County children for at least three years. In addition, the proposed project must be located in Dallas County. Every year, after the deadline closes in October, applicants undergo a rigorous vetting process. The chairman appoints two committee members to each agency as researchers. The researchers present succinct two-minute overviews of each applicant's funding request. In the next round, the agencies are invited to present to the researchers for precisely five minutes. The chairman trims the applicant pool again. All remaining prospective beneficiaries are invited to have three representatives present to the full Crystal Charity Ball committee for 15 minutes. Afterwards, the chairman and past presidents determine the final number of beneficiaries that The Crystal Charity Ball will fundraise for in the year ahead. The 2024 beneficiaries will be announced on February 1, 2024. Then, it's off to the races as fundraising begins! Since 1952, The Crystal Charity Ball has raised more than $185 million dollars for 156 children's charities in Dallas County. 2023 Beneficiaries of The Crystal Charity Ball After-School All-Stars Buckner Children and Family Services Fair Park First Family Gateway Metrocare Services The Salvation Army of North Texas YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas The Crystal Charity Ball crystalcharityball.org The Crystal Charity Ball's Workshop 95