(From left to right): Members of the St. Jude Evening Under the Stars leadership committee Cindy and Charlie Feld, and event chairs Holly and Doug Brooks.
The 2015 St. Jude Evening Under the Stars Party and Golf Classic raised a record-setting $1.1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, topping the million dollar mark for the second year in a row.
The two-day event in Dallas has raised more than $11 million for the hospital since its inception. The St. Jude Evening Under the Stars Party on Oct. 24, attracted about 950 guests to the Omni Dallas Hotel, and 250 attended the St. Jude Golf Classic on Oct. 26, at the Stonebriar Country Club.
At the party, St. Jude patient Hailey performed a song and shared her story with guests. She also received a special gift from event chairs Holly and Doug Brooks. The couple had the winning bid on two tickets to the singing competition TV show The Voice during the evening’s live auction, and they gave the tickets to Hailey as a gift.
Other featured items in the live auction were a private dinner at the home of four-time James Beard Award-nominated chef and restaurateur Kent Rathbun, which sold two times, and the rights to have the 7-Eleven Slurpee® truck at a private party.
“Nothing is more meaningful to Holly and me that we can co-chair a weekend of events organized to support the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to find cures and save children,” Doug Brooks said. “No child should die of cancer, so it is rewarding to know the support of participants will help save the lives of children in all 50 states, including Texas, and around the world.”
Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) fraternity was honored at the event, in celebration of the organization’s ongoing commitment and dedication to the kids of St. Jude. In 2014, Tri Delta committed to raising $60 million in 10 years to name Tri Delta Place, the on-campus, short-term housing facility at St. Jude. This is the largest single commitment by a St. Jude partner. Tri Delta executive director Karen White was in attendance to accept the honor.
Former professional golfer and current golf broadcaster David Feherty served as the event’s emcee, and the Dallas String Quartet Electric was the night’s entertainment.